Three UK and Vodafone Give Free Mobile to Ukrainian Refugees

Mobile operator Three UK has today announced that Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK – assuming they can get past the painfully slow UK Border Force first – will be supplied with a free 30-day Pay As You Go (PAYG) SIM card that comes preloaded with unlimited domestic calls, texts and mobile broadband data.

So far Three UK has, much like other operators, already removed roaming charges anywhere in Ukraine, as well as charges associated with calls and texts from the UK to Ukraine. But the new measure goes one step further, even if it is only for 30-days. In order to get the SIMs they’ll need to visit one of Three’s 311 UK stores.

We should point out that Vodafone has also offered free connectivity to 200,000 refugees arriving in the UK from Ukraine through its charities.connected initiative (at present, only a tiny fraction of that have been granted permission to enter). Registered charities can apply for the free connectivity, in the form of SIM cards with 20GB data, plus free calls and texts every month for 6 months here.

To help refugees who arrive in the UK without devices, Vodafone has also launched a Tech Appeal for refugees with a donation of 3,000 smartphones (including connectivity) and 1,000 portable power banks. The UK public and businesses can also donate here.

Elaine Carey, Chief Commercial Officer at Three UK & Ireland, said:

“Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine at this traumatic time. As a mobile network, the best way we can support is to ensure refugees arriving in the UK from the conflict and customers currently in Ukraine can stay connected to the people who matter to them.”

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