Vodafone And Maro Itoje Team Up To Tackle Digital Poverty
Vodafone and Maro Itoje have partnered in a bid to connect one million people living in digital poverty between now and the end of 2022.
The telco says the commitment will be met through a range of programmes, including its Great British Tech Appeal and its new ‘Buy One, Give One’ initiative for customers of Vodafone Together – its converged broadband and mobile package – which will see the brand provide a ‘person in need’ with a SIM card inclusive of data, calls, and texts each month for up to a year.
It is also distributing the SIMs through the Trussell Trust’s UK network of food bank centres.
“I’m extremely proud to be the ambassador for this brilliant new Vodafone initiative, helping give connectivity to many people in desperate need and raising awareness of this huge issue in our society,” said Itoje.
“Vodafone’s work during the pandemic stood it apart – and it’s fantastic to see this work continuing with a long-term commitment to make this change for good and fix digital poverty together.”
Earlier this year, Itoje launched a bid to close the ‘digital divide’ with a drive to get laptops to school pupils as they were taught from home during the lockdown in January.
Ahmed Essam, Vodafone UK CEO, added: “Over the last year, people across the UK have realised just how important connectivity is, and the major role it plays in many aspects of our lives – work, play, education, healthcare and keeping in touch with those closest to us.
“We have supported many people since the start of the pandemic – the NHS, schoolchildren, people on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
“Today we are committing to helping one million more people get connected, and to developing the knowledge and confidence necessary in a society that increasingly demands a digital connection. ‘Buy One, Give One’ puts tackling digital poverty, and doing the right thing, at the heart of our business.”
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Over the last year, we’ve seen more people than ever struggling to afford the basics and forced to use food banks to get by. This isn’t right. We know households at food banks have, on average, only £57 a week after rent to cover their living costs, and one in five have no money coming in at all. In a society which depends on readily available internet connectivity to gain access to vital support such as Universal Credit, having a smartphone isn’t a luxury – for many, it’s a lifeline.”
In collaboration with media and entertainment group Global, Vodafone will also launch a new campaign to raise awareness of digital exclusion and will call on the UK public to help tackle the issue.
