Virgin Media O2 to donate 12,000 smartphones in 2026

Virgin Media O2 has pledged to donate 12,000 refurbished smartphones during 2026 through its Community Calling programme.

The company said the phones will go to people who lack access to a device, including survivors of domestic abuse, people experiencing homelessness, those living in temporary accommodation and households that face financial hardship.

Virgin Media O2 said it will source the handsets from customer returns and through its O2 Recycle service. The company said it will distribute the phones through a nationwide network of charity partners and community groups.

The programme runs with environmental charity Hubbub. Virgin Media O2 said it donated around 12,000 refurbished phones during 2025. It said the latest pledge follows that initiative.

Distribution network

Virgin Media O2 said it will work with a range of charities and local groups to place devices with people in need. The company named The Multibank as one of the organisations in its network. Virgin Media O2 began supporting The Multibank last year, according to the company.

The company linked the device donation to access to online services. It pointed to tasks such as booking medical appointments and searching for work. It also cited keeping in touch with family and friends and accessing safe accommodation.

The group framed the donation scheme as part of its work on digital exclusion. It also linked the initiative to electronic waste reduction through reuse of devices.

Virgin Media O2 said it is using a "reuse-first" approach for devices that customers no longer want. It said Community Calling gives older smartphones a second life rather than sending them for recycling or disposal.

Company comments

Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said the company sees device access as a basic need for people on low incomes.

"We know having access to a phone is a lifeline for people experiencing financial hardship.

"That's why Virgin Media O2 is proud to lead the way in providing 12,000 free phones this year to those who need them so they can get online and stay connected to loved ones.

"This builds on our comprehensive, industry-leading measures to tackle digital exclusion, whether that's through our National Databank that provides free O2 mobile data, Community Calling that rehomes phones to those who need them, or our social tariffs for people who receive government support payments.", said Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer, Virgin Media O2.

Hubbub partnership

Hubbub said the partnership with Virgin Media O2 began in 2020. The charity said the programme aims to address digital exclusion and electronic waste at the same time.

"Since 2020, we've been proud to work in partnership with Virgin Media O2 on Community Calling to help support those that are digitally excluded in the UK, whilst also tackling e-waste. Together, we've now donated more than 30,000 phones, supporting people to stay connected to essential services, loved ones and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.", said Emily Watson, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Hubbub.

Government response

The donation pledge comes as the government runs a Digital Inclusion Action Plan. Ministers have highlighted device access as one of the barriers to using online public services.

"Getting access to a device can be a lifeline for those experiencing digital exclusion. That's why tackling access to the online world is at the heart of our Digital Inclusion Action Plan.

"I welcome Virgin Media O2's commitment to putting thousands of devices into the hands of people who need them most - this is exactly the kind of partnership that will help us break down barriers to opportunity.", said Liz Lloyd, Digital Inclusion and Telecoms Minister.

Wider programmes

Virgin Media O2 said its broader digital inclusion work includes broadband and mobile social tariffs for people who receive government support payments. It also cited its National Databank scheme, which provides free O2 mobile data through O2 stores across the UK. The company said it set up the National Databank in partnership with the Good Things Foundation.

The company also pointed to the Tech Lending Community scheme. It said the scheme loaned second-hand tablets to people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic abuse.

Alongside device and data schemes, Virgin Media O2 cited work on digital skills and online safety. It referred to a partnership with Internet Matters, which focuses on advice for parents and carers about online safety tools and controls.

Reuse efforts

Virgin Media O2 said the phone donation programme sits within a wider set of measures on device reuse and recycling. It cited its Better Connections Plan and said it exceeded a target tied to consumer "circular actions", including recycling, reusing, refurbishing and repairing devices.

The company said its O2 Recycle service has recycled more than 4 million devices and paid out £356 million to consumers since 2009. It also cited a £1 million Time After Time fund for charities, community groups and public sector projects focused on reuse, repair and recycling of devices.

Virgin Media O2 said the 12,000-phone pledge forms part of its commitment to connect 1 million digitally excluded people in support of the government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan.