Virgin Media O2 is doubling down on its commitment to tackle digital exclusion, by pledging to donate 12,000 phones to people who need them throughout 2026.

Following the success of its 2025 commitment, where it also provided around 12,000 refurbished phones to those experiencing financial hardship, this year, the operator will again donate devices via its Community Calling programme with environmental charity, Hubbub, to help people in need get online.

The initiative will rehome phones through a nationwide network of charity partners and community groups, including The Multibank, which Virgin Media O2 began supporting last year.

This initiative will put phones directly into the hands of people who need them, such as survivors of domestic abuse, those living in temporary accommodation, families and households in need of connectivity or people experiencing homelessness.

It means they can access essential online services, such as booking medical appointments, finding work, finding somewhere safe to stay, or being able to stay in touch with loved ones.

Virgin Media O2 is sourcing the phones from customer returns and its O2 Recycle service to ensure unwanted devices are given a second life. It’s part of the company’s commitment to support the circular economy and to tackle electronic waste (e-waste) by putting unwanted tech back into circulation so it can be reused.

Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:  “We know having access to a phone is a lifeline for people experiencing financial hardship. That’s why Virgin Media O2 is proud to lead the way in providing 12,000 free phones this year to those who need them so they can get online and stay connected to loved ones. This builds on our comprehensive, industry-leading measures to tackle digital exclusion, whether that’s through our National Databank that provides free O2 mobile data, Community Calling that rehomes phones to those who need them, or our social tariffs for people who receive government support payments.”

Emily Watson, Strategic Partnerships Lead at Hubbub, said: “Since 2020, we’ve been proud to work in partnership with Virgin Media O2 on Community Calling to help support those that are digitally excluded in the UK, whilst also tackling e-waste. Together, we’ve now donated more than 30,000 phones, supporting people to stay connected to essential services, loved ones and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.”

Digital Inclusion and Telecoms Minister, Liz Lloyd, added: “Getting access to a device can be a lifeline for those experiencing digital exclusion. That’s why tackling access to the online world is at the heart of our Digital Inclusion Action Plan. I welcome Virgin Media O2’s commitment to putting thousands of devices into the hands of people who need them most – this is exactly the kind of partnership that will help us break down barriers to opportunity.”

Keeping people connected and cutting e-waste 

Virgin Media O2’s pledge to donate refurbished devices during 2026 builds on its commitment to address digital exclusion and e-waste through a comprehensive range of services and programmes, coupled with digital skills and online safety support to help people navigate the online world.

It is supporting digital inclusion by:

• Offering broadband and mobile social tariffs for people who receive government support payments.

• Donating hundreds of devices and free O2 mobile data to The Multibank, a one-stop shop for essential non-food items from clothing to furniture and toys, which are being rehomed with people who need them through Multibanks in Fife, Swansea, and Tees Valley.

• The National Databank, set up in partnership with digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, which provides free O2 mobile data to people who need it at O2 stores across the UK.

• Its Community Calling programme with Hubbub, which has now rehomed more than 30,000 phones, and the Tech Lending Community scheme, which loaned second-hand tablets to people experiencing homelessness, and survivors of domestic abuse.

• Helping parents and carers have more confident conversations with children and young people about online safety risks, and the tools and controls available to keep kids safe online, via its partnership with Internet Matters.
• By pledging to connect 1 million digital excluded people in support of the Government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, with its 2026 device donation helping to meet this pledge.

It is reducing e-waste by:

• Exceeding its bold goal to encourage consumers to carry out 10 million circular actions (recycling, reusing, refurbishing and repairing devices), as part of its sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan.

• Being a signatory of the Government’s IT Reuse for Good charter, which promotes a reuse-first approach to devices.

• Its pioneering Time After Time fund which provided £1m to help charities, community groups, and the public sector run programmes that prevented e-waste, championed reuse, repair or recycling of laptops, smartphones and tablets.

• Helping consumers trade in their unwanted tech via its O2 Recycle service which has recycled more than 4 million devices and paid out £356 million to consumers since 2009.

• Offering a range of ‘Like New’ refurbished phones for customers who want a second life device.

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Categories: Press Releases

Tags: charity, recycle, smartphone, Virgin Media O2