Staying connected this Christmas, on O2 [Xmas Ad]

[Chris_K]

Story highlights below

• Virgin Media O2 is stepping up its support for people affected by the cost-of-living crisis by piloting the National Databank at 10 O2 stores across the country
• It’s even easier and simpler for people in need to get 20GB of free O2 mobile data per month so they can get online
• Virgin Media O2 founded the National Databank with Good Things Foundation, and has committed more than 61 million GB of free O2 data to the initiative by the end of 2025
• The company is also providing an additional 1 million GB of free O2 data via special ‘O2 Christmas SIM Cards’ to help those who need it stay in touch with their loved ones over the festive period

Need help staying connected this Christmas?

• If you or someone you know is struggling this Christmas, we don't want you to feel alone or cut off from friends, family, help or support networks
• You, or anyone who needs it, can redeem 7GB of Pay As You Go data, on us
• Just head to our website here (or tap the banner above), enter your mobile number and claim your voucher: https://www.o2.co.uk/national-databank

Full press release below

LONDON, 7^th November 2022: With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and around¹ 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 via 10 O2 stores across the UK.

The National Databank, founded by Virgin Media O2 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, is like a foodbank but for free mobile data, texts, and calls. Virgin Media O2 has committed more than 61 million GB of free O2 data to the initiative by the end of 2025.

People can now access the National Databank directly on the High Street via O2 stores and get 20GB of free O2 data per month for up to six months – enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month – so they can get online and stay in touch with loved ones.

The O2 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

or places where people have not been able to access the National Databank in their area before.

The O2 stores taking part in the pilot are in Ballymena, Broadstairs (Thanet Westwood Cross) Colchester, Hastings, Hull (Jameson Street), Norwich, Newport, Perth, Plymouth, and Stockton-on-Tees (Teesside Retail Park).

Those eligible can get support by going to one of the participating stores and asking an O2 employee, who has been trained to use the National Databank’s platform, for a 20GB data voucher.

The National Databank can also be accessed via a network of more than 650 participating community partners nationwide.

Giving the gift of 1 million GB of data this Christmas 

On top of this, Virgin Media O2 is also providing an additional 1 million GB of free O2 data² to help even more people stay connected this Christmas.

Special ‘O2 Christmas SIM Cards’ are available in O2 stores nationwide and online, while stocks last, helping those who need it access 7GB of free O2 data.

The ‘O2 Christmas SIM Card’ can also be gifted to anyone who needs it, and they can get a free O2 SIM card if they need one, to ensure they can use the data and get online.

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.

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To help raise awareness of these measures, O2’s Christmas campaign for 2022 brings to life the support that is available to keep people connected over the festive period with an animated TV advert, ‘The Snowgran’, which combines the spirit of the festive season with the power of connectivity.

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. If you’re not online you can’t save money on products and services, help your children to participate in home-learning, and apply for jobs.

“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. This underpins our 2022-2025 strategy, making sure we go further to Fix The Digital Divide – for Good.

“This extra support is a perfect example of industry innovation making a huge difference to people’s lives, and will mean more practical help is available for those on low incomes to get online and access the endless benefits of digital connectivity.

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These measures build on Virgin Media O2’s £2 million strategic partnership with Good Things Foundation to help disadvantaged people across the UK get online and gain vital digital skills.

The National Databank initiative forms part of Virgin Media O2’s new sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, which aims to create a better, more connected, and greener world for everyone. It is one of the ways the company will reach its goal of connecting one million digitally excluded people through free and affordable connectivity and services by the end of 2025.

[Cleoriff]

@Chris_K 

I think that advert is one of the better ones this Christmas. Very poignant and emotional. Also gives the needy something for nothing.

All the big companies whose adverts usually cost millions, have pared them back this year due to the very real cost of living crisis.

However you still see tables groaning with food, when many people can't afford the gas or electricity to cook anything. They also have the worry of making the best Christmas for their kids, when they can't afford presents. We are fast becoming a third world country which is dreadful. Thank god for the food, clothes and toy banks. So well done with the O2 advert @Chris_K It's a lovely thought and will help so many. 😍

[Chris_K]

Lovely message, thanks Cleoriff. Don't forget too we launched Community Calling in October 2020. Thanks to donations of old (but still in perfectly working condition) devices, we've been working with Hubbub to help re-home them with the people in our communities that need them most.

Combined with our partnership with Good Things Foundation, we're giving data to those in need and this year - like you mentioned - we know how tough some families and individuals may find things and being able to stay in communication with friends, family, loved ones, doctors, health professional or other vital services, is of massive importance especially during the festive period which can be tougher than most.

[Cleoriff]

@Chris_K 

I remember Community Calling @Chris_K. Another great initiative which helped so many and is still ongoing.

I'm not the only one who has mentioned how lovely the current advert is. It's popular with friends and relatives, so well done again.