O2 has announced a new partnership with The Big Issue, which will see more than 200 of the magazine’s vendors receive free data plans every month.

The move is designed to enable vendors to make cashless sales, access online services, and stay connected with their families.

The partnership comes as part of the National Databank initiative launched by O2 and Good Things Foundation.

The Databank is designed to support O2’s data pledge to get more than 255,000 people living in poverty connected by the end of 2023.

“We are incredibly excited about this partnership,” said Russell Blackman, commercial managing director, The Big Issue. “Not only does it mean our vendors will be able to boost their sales, but it also means they will be able to stay connected to their loved ones this Christmas.”
Blackman added: “Whilst in 2019 we started to help ensure our vendors were connected, there are still many who need access. This partnership will ensure even more of our vendors are no longer left behind. We are incredibly grateful to O2 for this opportunity and are very excited to see the good that will inevitably come out of this much needed National Databank.”

Simon Valcarcel, Marketing Director at Virgin Media O2, said: “Data poverty affects many millions of people in the UK, so we set up the National Databank with the help of Good Things Foundation to help those most in need stay connected.

“This Christmas, we’ve partnered with The Big Issue to provide over 200 of their vendors with access to the free data each month. The aim is to help them take mobile payments in an ever more cashless society, access the services that they need and stay connected to loved ones.”

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