O2 UK Launch Cheaper Mobile Social Tariff for People on State Benefits
Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today launched a new 4G and 5G mobile plan to support UK people on low incomes, which is a low-cost data (mobile broadband), calls and texts (SMS) plan that is only available to those on eligible state benefits and costs just £10 per month.
The new ‘O2 Essential Plan‘ is available for both new and existing customers who receive a range of benefit payments, and comes with 10GB of mobile data, plus unlimited calls and texts. 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.
In addition, the new social tariff comes with inclusive EU Roaming as standard and allows customers to access the O2 Priority rewards programme. 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).
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The new tariff is intended to complement Virgin Media’s own Essential Broadband tariff, which enables those on state benefits to take an unlimited 15Mbps (2Mbps upload) connection on a 30-day rolling contract for just £12.50 per month, rising to £20 per month if you opt for their faster 54Mbps (5Mbps upload) tier. Plus, if you pay an extra £20 one-off, then you’re able to add their STREAM TV box.
Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at VMO2, 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.”
The catch here is that there are cheaper plans – often available with even bigger data allowances – available on the wider market too, including for consumers who don’t take state benefits. Examples can be found on iD Mobile, Smarty, VOXI and even some of O2’s MVNO providers like giffgaff or Tesco Mobile are pretty good (but the latter two tend to require longer 12-18 month contract terms).
Finally, a quick reminder. We know social tariffs can be a divisive topic for some, but that is not an excuse to abuse the comment system in order to post offensive remarks toward those who take state benefits. Such posts are against our rules and will be removed.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
Middle class continues paying for the rich and the poor while unable to buy a house themselves.
Careful, you may get putin prison
You seem to have substituted the word “paying” for “profiting” and “while” for “who are”.
Some network upgrades would be nice
As has been stated, not very competitive at all and to me it seems more like a checklist thing or an exercise in marketing.
Nothing to see here, people, move on.
Indeed, isn’t this just their standard £10 PAYG offer but on a 30 day contract? Total box ticking exercise.
Can get that as standard for £5.95 from Lebara
I have 20GB for £10 on GiffGaff
My son has 50gb for £9 with Lebara. Unlimited mins and texts. 30gb eu roaming max and 100 mins to call 42 countries each month included.
Love how they emphasise the EU roaming. If people can afford a foreign holiday whilst on benefits, then the benefits payments are too high. Should be there to support basic living and nothing else, to encourage people into work. Obviously some situations where working isn’t possible, EG disability etc, and allowances should be made for that.
You’d be surprised very surprised!
I’m a low earner with very little chance of increasing my income so get help with my rent from the DWP as otherwise I be homeless.
I would love nothing more than to be able to spend a few days in Edinburgh for my mental health issues but the travel and hotel costs are unaffordable never mind travelling aboard.
Not everyone can afford two weeks in Greece, those who can probably don’t need help from the DWP.
Not a good deal at all, but not surprising considering it’s VM/O2 and typical of them to apply a speed restriction. Far better deals (better value on some non social tariffs even) elsewhere. I currently have the VOXI (Vodafone) ‘For Now’ plan with unlimited everything including 5G data for £10 a month.
Again depends on the area, for you Vodafone might be good but for other people it might be EE or Three.
As to value, Three is better value as they feel not have a 6 month period on Voxi for Now like Vodafone.
Anon, Not quite sure the point you’re trying to make, I was simply just sharing my opinion of the VM/O2 deal. I understand customers have different experiences and preferences with different providers.
I personally wouldn’t go anywhere near Three based on previous experience with them, and they don’t have great 5G coverage in my area. And I’ve had the VOXI For Now plan for more than 6 months consecutively, it’s been about a year 🙂
Via USwitch the other day, O2 offer 40GB a month for £8, albeit on a 12month contract with EU roaming and unlimited calls.
I imagine the take up of this social mobile tariff will be minimal. It’s purely a marketing ploy, plus the VM broadband social tariff is nearly as stingy when it comes to speed.
What’s the point of advertising tariffs for people on benefits if your staff don’t know what you’re talking about when asked in o2 shops