The majority of the population in Western Europe, across all income and age groups, subscribe to a mobile service.
But access is not always equal because of cost and geography. We try to limit the impact of this ‘digital divide’.
In all our markets, we offer our customers pre-pay packages that enable users to control the costs of using a mobile without committing themselves to a contract-based post-pay deal.
We examine ways to make our services more inclusive, particularly for those with special needs and for whom a mobile phone can contribute significantly to a challenging lifestyle.
We make special provisions already – like invoicing in Braille, larger text size and audio options for people with visual impairment – but we want to do more.
‘As a deaf journalist, my mobile phone is vital. One of the best deals I have found is O2’s online offer with 600 free texts a month for as little as £20 line rental. I sometimes send 800 text messages a month so this has been a tremendous help.
My phone bill has been reduced by up to 75% and I can now keep in touch with all my friends and family, holding proper text message conversations without worrying about a massive bill. Now I have the means of communicating effortlessly without struggling with telephone calls.’
Molly Haynes, journalist, on text services for deaf people.
We hope to be able to deliver more and more of this kind of information in accessible ways via our mobile phones. Read more about our latest projects in our Corporate Responsibility Report.
To raise awareness of organisations that recognise the contribution made by people with diverse needs and employ disabled people, we are proud sponsors of the Irish O2 Ability Awards.
