- With a third (33%) of pensioners feeling increasingly isolated in the past 12 months, staying in touch with friends and family through phone calls, texts and video calls is the highlight of their day for 6 in 10 (58%).
- For 8.8 million* pensioners, reliable internet is a vital lifeline, used to message friends and family (82%), manage finances (54%), and book GP appointments online (44%).
- Virgin Media O2’s discounted tariffs – including Virgin Media Essential Broadband and O2 Essential Plan mobile tariff – are available to those receiving Pension Credit, Universal Credit and other government benefits.
- With 34% unsure how to switch their tariff, Virgin Media O2 is providing simple step-by-step instructions for eligible users.
A third (33%) of pensioners have felt more isolated or lonely in the past 12 months as the majority (81%) worry about the cost of living, according to new research from Virgin Media O2.
For millions of UK pensioners, a phone call is more than just a call, it’s a lifeline. Staying connected with friends and family through calls, texts and video calls helps over two thirds (68%) feel less lonely and more part of the world. Yet, almost half (48%) are unaware of the social tariffs that can offer significant cost savings to those on Pension Credit, Universal Credit and other government benefits.
Virgin Media O2 is urging eligible pensioners to take up its discounted Essential Services with broadband and mobile tariffs available from as little as £10 per month.
Cost of living driving pensioner isolation
Almost half of pensioners (46%) say the rising cost of living has made them feel more isolated from their community and means they can’t afford to go out and socialise as much as they used to (48%). Many are visiting friends and family less due to travel costs (42%), and almost one-in-three pensioners (28%) worry about money so much that they feel anxious in social situations.
With in-person socialising limited due to costs, 8.8 million pensioners say reliable internet is an important lifeline to the outside world. Messaging friends and family (82%), staying up to date with current affairs (55%) and online shopping (42%) are some of the top priorities for internet use.
Almost half unaware of support available
In addition to combatting loneliness, the data reveals 62% of pensioners believe digital technology helps them keep their independence. If faced with reduced mobile and internet connectivity for an extended period of time, pensioners cite concerns including being unable to contact someone in an emergency (72%), missing important family updates (58%), and not being able to access online GP appointments or other healthcare services (55%) and losing touch with friends (46%).
With nearly half (48%) of pensioners unaware that providers offering discounted broadband and mobile deals to those receiving Pension Credit, Virgin Media O2 urges individuals to explore its Essential Services starting from just £10 per month – The Virgin Media Essential Broadband and O2 Essential Plan.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2 said: “With today’s research revealing pensioners feel increasingly isolated due to the rising cost of living, Virgin Media O2 is proud to offer a range of comprehensive measures to help people on low incomes to get online and stay in touch with loved ones.
“Anyone who is receiving Pension Credit or a range of additional benefits are able to access our cut-price tariffs that offering broadband and mobile services starting from as little as £10.
“We want to raise the profile of our broad range of support for people experiencing financial difficulties, helping to combat loneliness and keep the nation connected.”
Three steps to switch
With 34% of pensioners unsure how to switch to a cheaper tariff, Virgin Media O2 is sharing simple step-by-step instructions to help those eligible:
Step one: Contact us
The O2 Essential Plan: If you’re already with O2 and eligible to upgrade, start a live chat with us or call us on 202 from your O2 mobile. If you’re a new customer, you’ll need to call us on 03448 090 202.
Alternatively, start a live chat on the O2 website.
Essential Broadband: Start a live chat on the Virgin Media website.
Step two: A quick check
We’ll ask for some details like your name, postcode and date of birth. We’ll use this information, with your permission, to check with the Department for Work and Pensions that you’re eligible for our Essential Services.
Step three: Get connected
If you’re eligible, we will get you up and running on your chosen broadband or mobile tariff with £0 set up cost.
Virgin Media O2’s Essential Services
Virgin Media O2’s Essential Services are available for new and existing customers who receive a range of benefits payments. Virgin Media’s Essential broadband offers speeds of 15Mbps and costs £12.50 per month. Essential Broadband Plus provides 54Mbps broadband for £20 a month.
The O2 Essential plan comes with 10GB of mobile data, plus unlimited calls and texts from £10 per month.
All plans can be taken as 30-day rolling contacts, have no activation or exit fees, and no price changes while customers receive benefits payments. The tariffs are available for people who receive any of the following government support payments: Income-based Employment Support Allowance (I-ESA), Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (I-JSA), Income Support (IS), Pension Credit (PC) or Universal Credit (UC).
Helping people stay connected
Virgin Media O2 has extensive measures to support customers experiencing financial difficulty to stay connected. In addition to Essential Services, the business founded the National Databank – like a food bank but providing free O2 mobile data, texts and calls to people who need it – in partnership with digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation.
Virgin Media O2’s Community Calling initiative with environmental charity, Hubbub, has also rehomed 20,000 smartphones to people in need across the UK.
The Essential Services form part of Virgin Media O2’s work to improve digital inclusion across the UK, and goal to connect one million digitally excluded people through free and affordable connectivity services.
Find out more information about all of Virgin Media O2’s support measures online here.
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