Virgin Media O2 has announced plans to donate 12,000 mobile phones during 2026 as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce digital exclusion across the UK. The initiative builds on a similar commitment made last year and focuses on ensuring that people facing financial hardship are not cut off from essential digital services.

The devices will be distributed through the company’s Community Calling scheme, delivered in partnership with environmental charity Hubbub. Phones will be passed on via a nationwide network of charities and community organisations, helping groups such as people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic abuse, families in temporary accommodation and others who rely on connectivity to access support, healthcare and employment opportunities.

All donated handsets are sourced from customer returns and the O2 Recycle programme, giving unwanted devices a second life. This approach supports the circular economy by reducing electronic waste and keeping usable technology in circulation, while also addressing the social impact of digital poverty.

Nicola Green of Virgin Media O2 said access to a mobile phone can be vital for people facing financial hardship, which is why the company is donating 12,000 devices in 2026 as part of its wider efforts to combat digital exclusion through initiatives such as free data, phone reuse schemes and social tariffs. Emily Watson from Hubbub highlighted the long‑running partnership behind the programme, noting that more than 30,000 phones have now been rehomed, helping people stay connected while also cutting e‑waste. Digital Inclusion and Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd welcomed the commitment, describing access to devices as crucial for tackling digital exclusion and praising the partnership for helping remove barriers to opportunity.

The pledge forms part of Virgin Media O2’s wider responsible business strategy, which combines device reuse with free data initiatives, social tariffs and digital skills support. Together, these programmes aim to connect more people to the online world, cut e-waste and contribute to the company’s longer-term goal of supporting one million digitally excluded people across the UK.