O2 UK Trial Gives Away Old Smartphones to Vulnerable People

Mobile operator O2 has launched a new “Community Calling” trial alongside Hubbub, which invites people to donate their old phones so that they can then be refurbished and distributed to “digitally excluded” people in other parts of the country (particularly those left disadvantaged by the COVID-19 crisis).

At launch the trial will only focus on people in the Southwark area of London and O2 said this will involve the distribution of around 800 handsets to residents. The pre-identified list of households has been put together by a number of local organisations in Southwark (clients range from the elderly, those in low-income households, survivors of domestic abuse and asylum seekers etc.).

Within these groups, each organisation has “identified those who would benefit most from a smartphone,” based on providing access to essential services, online learning or getting connected to family and friends. Any donated phones will be data-wiped, cleaned and refurbished by Recono.me ready for redistribution.

O2 is also donating 300 handsets to the total, alongside providing pay as you go SIMs and top-up to be used with the those devices.

Tracey Herald, O2’s Head of Partnerships and Social impact, said:

“Connectivity is a lifeline for so many at this time – and with so many smart devices sitting in drawers at home, this project provides the perfect opportunity to dust them off for a good cause. The Southwark community has been particularly affected by the recent pandemic, so we’re working in partnership with Hubbub, the local council and community groups to ensure we can distribute these devices to those who need them most.

The trial will help us tackle digital exclusion and help the environment too.”

Gavin Ellis, Director and Co-Founder at Hubbub, said:

“Community Calling offers a simple way to get unused smartphones to people who need them most during the current pandemic, allowing them to access essential services, to educate their kids or to stay in touch with loved ones. Plus it has the bonus environmental benefit of avoiding electrical waste going to landfill or incineration. We’re trialling the approach with O2 in Southwark and if successful, we’ll look to replicate it elsewhere in the UK.”

The operator estimates that 1.9 million households in the UK don’t yet have access to the internet and are considered “digitally excluded,” which could represent a future target for their scheme. If you’d like to support the trial and donate your old smartphones to the Community Calling project, visit http://www.hubbub.org.uk/communitycalling/ for more details.