Virgin Media O2 and the National Databank are making data more accessible this Christmas
With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and around two million UK households at risk of digital exclusion, Virgin Media O2 is helping more people in need access free mobile data by piloting the National Databank for the first time on the High Street. The National Databank provides free data for communities across the UK, including the most digitally deprived areas.
People can now access the National Databank directly on the High Street via O2 stores and get 20GB of free data per month for up to six months – enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month.
The stores taking part in the pilot are in towns and cities where the free data will help those most in need. This includes communities where people are most likely to be digitally excluded.
The National Databank can also be accessed via a network of more than 650 participating community partners nationwide.
On top of this, Virgin Media O2 is also providing an additional 1 million GB of free data to help even more people stay connected this Christmas. Special ‘O2 Christmas SIM Cards’ are available in O2 stores nationwide and online, helping those who need it access 7GB of free data.
Gareth Turpin, Chief Commercial at Virgin Media O2, said:
“We’re stepping up our support during the cost-of-living crisis to help even more people stay connected this Christmas.
“It’s now going to be easier than ever for those in need to access the National Databank directly on the High Street via our O2 stores, so they can get online and connect to essential services – from medical appointments to applying for jobs.
“And with our additional 1 million GB of free data available via special Christmas SIM Cards, Virgin Media O2 is helping more people get the data they need, so they can stay in touch with loved ones over the festive period.”
Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive, Good Things Foundation, said:
“Having sufficient data in our increasingly digital society is not a nice to have, it’s an absolute essential. With two million households struggling to afford internet access in the UK today – and 10 million adults lacking the most basic digital skills, everyone needs to do even more to build a movement for digital inclusion that leaves no-one behind.”
Virgin Media O2 has committed more than 61 million GB of free O2 data to the National Databank initiative by the end of 2025.
Read the full release here.
