Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has joined in a new partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) network and the Scottish Government to provide 1,200 refurbished smartphones to Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABs) across the country, as part of the company’s largest ever device donation programme to boost digital inclusion.
This comes as one in ten households in Scotland remain without internet access, leaving many unable to manage essential daily tasks.
VMO2’s initiative aims to help close this digital divide, an issue which disproportionately affects vulnerable groups – including those experiencing homelessness or on low incomes, refugees and asylum seekers, people leaving prison and those fleeing domestic violence.
The project will help people become more independent, giving access to online services such as banking, Universal Credit claims, social housing applications, employment opportunities and keeping in touch with loved ones.
The devices and data are being distributed to CABs via Community Calling – set up by VMO2 and environmental charity, Hubbub, which rehomes smartphones to people who need them who can’t afford a device or data.
This Scottish initiative is part of the mobile network provider’s largest ever device donation programme, where it has pledged to provide 12,000 pre-owned devices to charities across the UK during 2025.
As part of the company’s circular economy strategy, the tech has been sourced from Virgin Media O2’s customer returns and its O2 Recycle service ensuring high quality devices are refurbished, reused, and given a second life rather than sent to landfill.
Each device comes with free O2 mobile data, texts and calls from the National Databank, which it founded with digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation.
Richard Lochhead, Business Minister said: “Ensuring equitable access to digital tools and services is fundamental to a fairer, more inclusive society. This partnership between Citizens Advice Scotland and Virgin Media O2 demonstrates the power of collaboration in addressing digital exclusion.”