Get free data, texts and minutes if you’re struggling to stay connected

If you’re struggling to cover your phone bill each month, you’re not alone. Over 1.9 million households in the UK can’t afford their mobile service, according to the communications watchdog Ofcom. 

But there’s help available.  

You might be able to get free mobile data, texts, and minutes through a service called the National Databank. Run by O2, in partnership the Good Things Foundation, the scheme aims to help people in ‘data poverty.’  

So far, the scheme has helped over 90,000 people get connected with O2 SIM cards, offering up to 25GB of free data, as well as texts and minutes each month, for up to 12 months. 

What is data poverty? 

Data poverty means not having enough money to pay for internet or mobile data. Today, being online is important for everything from job applications to staying in touch with loved ones.  

Without enough data, it can be hard to stay connected and do basic admin tasks. Yet: 

• 1.9 million households struggle to afford their mobile service 

• 3.7 million households with children don’t meet the minimum digital living standards 

• 2.1 million people are offline across the UK 

• 0.5 million people don’t have a suitable device for learning and internet at home  

Who can get a free sim card? 

To be eligible for help from the scheme, you need to be: 

• 18+ years old 

• come from a low-income household 

• and/or have no access or poor access to the internet at home 

• and/or have no or poor access to the internet when away from the home 

• and/or can’t afford an existing monthly contract or top up 

Where can you get free data, texts and minutes? 

To get free mobile data, you’ll need to visit an organisation who is a member of the National Databank, such as: 

• Virgin Media O2 

• Vodaphone 

• Three 

• Local organisations who offer the National Databank 

• Use this interactive map to find support in your area.  

Need more help? Call O2 at 0344 809 0222 or 4445 from your O2 phone and quote ‘National Databank’ to the customer service team.