Vodafone has provided free connectivity, devices and digital training to more than a million people and businesses through its everyone.connected campaign, delivering the equivalent of £108 million* in social value across the UK.
Using a social value measurement tool, known as the TOMs framework, Vodafone has put approximate financial values on its digital inclusion initiatives to quantify the wider value created for the economy and society.
The free support it has provided to people and businesses since 2020 includes:
- SIMs and devices donated through charities.connected and the Great British Tech Appeal;
- savings to customers achieved through mobile and broadband social tariffs;
- support provided to small businesses through Vodafone’s business.connected programme.
Social value contributions have been made in communities across the whole of the UK, notably in Greater London (£26.5m), the North West (£11.6m), and Scotland (£13.1m) as this graphic shows.
This regional data will help Vodafone target its digital inclusion programmes more effectively in future to maximise the benefit to communities in need.
The company hit its milestone of connecting one million people and now aims to help a further three million people and businesses cross the digital divide by 2025 as part of its everyone.connected campaign.
Vodafone has been addressing this issue through a number of initiatives.
Great British Tech Appeal
In partnership with charity Barnardo’s, the Tech Appeal provides donated tech, along with six months of free mobile data, calls, and texts to those in need. Vodafone has donated more than 11,600 devices so far, giving people a vital lifeline to stay connected with family, friends, and support workers, and access healthcare and education.
Charities.connected
Vodafone offers free SIMs, each loaded with 40GB of data a month for six months plus unlimited calls and texts, to any charity supporting digital inclusion programmes through their charities.connected initiative. After the six-month period is up, Vodafone then offers 7GB of data along with unlimited calls and texts for just £5 a month.
Social tariffs
For those receiving government benefits, Vodafone offers:
- Mobile social tariff through VOXI for Now
- Broadband social tariff through Vodafone Essentials Broadband
Business.connected
Through its business.connected programme, Vodafone is offering free support, tools, and training to help 800,000 small businesses improve their digital skills over the next three years. It has already supported more than 230,000 businesses so far.
