Virgin Media O2 has launched a new mobile plan for people on low incomes to help them stay connected.
The mobile operator has announced a new O2 Essential Plan priced at £10 a month for 10GB of mobile data, and unlimited calls and texts – aimed at those who receive a range of benefits.
The telecoms firm said the plan can be taken as a 30-day rolling contract with no activation or exit fees and no price changes while customers are in receipt of benefit payments.
It is available to those receiving income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or Universal Credit.
We’ve launched our @O2 Essential Plan to help people on low incomes stay connected.
Available to new & existing customers who receive a range of benefits, the plan includes 10GB of data, unlimited calls & texts for £10 per month.
— Virgin Media O2 News (@VMO2News) August 19, 2024
According to Ofcom figures, around 2.6 million UK households find it difficult to afford their mobile phone service, and previous research has shown large numbers of people suffering from digital exclusion, where their inability to access mobile connectivity cuts them off from key day-to-day services that are increasingly moving online, including healthcare and banking platforms.
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.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel