Hubbub urges public to rehome their unused mobile phones

More than half of those surveyed have said they would want their phone to be rehomed with “someone who needs it”, and 47% believe donating their device is better for the planet as it can be given a second life, rather than ending up in landfill as electronic waste.

Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub have urged people to rehome their unwanted smartphones via the Community Calling scheme.

Community Calling was established in 2020 in response to the pandemic, to provide smartphones to help people who couldn’t afford devices or connectivity to get online.

The initiative is said to have donated 20,000 devices to those who need them across the country, including victims of domestic abuse, refugees and disadvantaged communities. Partners include Women’s Aid, Crisis, Migrant Help, and Supporting Children with Diabetes.

The devices are powered with free O2 mobile data from the National Databank, which was set up by Virgin Media O2 and the Good Things Foundation.

Once devices are sent to Community Calling free of charge, accredited tech partner, Genuine Solutions, will data wipe it, before it is rehomed with someone who needs it.

Dana Haidan, chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We know people in the UK want to do more to help communities in need, and with millions of unused phones stashed in drawers and garages, they’ve got the power to change lives by donating their devices to Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub’s Community Calling scheme.

“The quick and easy act of donating a phone will help people in need to get online and access essential services, like a booking a medical appointment, applying for a job or taking part in training or keeping in touch with loved ones.”

‘Easy and straightforward’

Alex Robinson, CEO of Hubbub, said: “Four years after Covid-19 hit, digital exclusion remains a significant issue for hundreds of thousands of people in the UK. That’s why we’re thrilled to be celebrating the milestone of having donated 20,000 second-hand devices and free data through Community Calling.

“We’ve made donating a device to Community Calling easy and straightforward, to encourage even more businesses and individuals to pass on their old devices to support those facing digital exclusion.”