Virgin Media O2 has announced an ambitious plan to donate 12,000 refurbished smartphones in 2025 as part of its commitment to social responsibility. This initiative marks the company’s largest device donation effort to date, partnering with the Good Things Foundation and the environmental charity Hubbub. Through this program, approximately 1,000 smartphones will be distributed each month to individuals in need via Hubbub’s Community Calling initiative and the Good Things Foundation’s National Device Bank.

The refurbished smartphones will be sourced from O2 Recycle, the company’s dedicated recycling program, and are intended to help disadvantaged individuals access vital online services. These include job applications, healthcare appointments, and digital learning resources, all of which are increasingly essential in today’s technology-driven world. By providing these devices, Virgin Media O2 aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity among vulnerable populations.

In addition to the smartphones, Virgin Media O2 will also offer free mobile data to qualifying recipients through the National Databank, managed by the Good Things Foundation. This effort is part of the company’s broader Better Connections Plan, which focuses on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, with a target of providing affordable and free connectivity to one million people. Since its inception in 2009, O2 Recycle has successfully processed over four million devices, rewarding consumers with more than £350 million for their used phones, further emphasising the company’s commitment to sustainability and community support.