Virgin Media O2 launches new affordable connectivity mobile plan

Virgin Media O2 is launching a new mobile plan to help people on low incomes stay connected.

The O2 Essential Plan is available for new and existing customers who receive a range of benefit payments, and comes with 10GB of mobile data, plus unlimited calls and texts for £10 per month.

The plan can be taken as a 30-day rolling contract, has no activation or exit fees, and no price changes while customers receive benefit payments.

The Essential Plan is available for people who receive any of the following government support payments: Income-based Employment Support Allowance (I-ESA), Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (I-JSA), Income Support (IS), Pension Credit (PC) or Universal Credit (UC).

People can find out more about the Essential Plan, see if they are eligible and apply via here.

Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: "Virgin Media O2 is proud to offer a range of comprehensive measures to help people on low incomes to get online and stay in touch with loved ones. While we know mobile connectivity in the UK is already very affordable, the launch of the O2 Essential Plan builds on our wide range of existing support for people experiencing financial difficulties. This includes our broadband plan for people receiving support payments, the National Databank providing free mobile data for people in need, and our Community Calling scheme which rehomes smartphones with people who need them."

Tackling digital exclusion

The O2 Essential Plan forms part of Virgin Media O2's work to improve digital inclusion across the UK, and goal to connect one million digitally excluded people through free and affordable connectivity and services.

This supports the new government's aim to address digital poverty, with 2.6 million UK households finding it difficult to afford their mobile phone service, according to latest Ofcom figures.

Virgin Media O2 has already committed to partner with the Government and charity, Supporting Children with Diabetes to donate recycled smartphones to help children of low income families access technology so they can monitor their blood glucose levels.

Supporting customers with data and devices

Virgin Media O2 also founded the National Databank in partnership with digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation. The National Databank is like a food bank but provides free O2 mobile data, texts and calls to people who need it.

Anyone in need can get 25GB of free O2 mobile data per month for up to 12 months through the National Databank's network of thousands of National Databank Hubs nationwide - including O2 retail stores. People can find their nearest National Databank Hub here.

On top of this, the company's Talk Protected Plan keeps prices fixed for its elderly and disabled landline-only customers. It comes with inclusive evening and weekend calls.

Virgin Media O2's Community Calling initiative with environmental charity, Hubbub, has also rehomed 20,000 smartphones to people in need across the UK.

Read more about the O2 Essential Plan here.

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