Optus is announcing an expansion to its popular program to help close the digital divide even further, to now not only support young people in need, but also their families, and people experiencing crisis.

Optus says that Donate Your Data currently supports over 25,000 young people on the program, and because of the overwhelming customer support, the expansion of the program could see this number increase to up to 100,000 by 2025.

For the Donate Your Data Program, Optus says it works with charities and organisations that support Australians in need across a range of areas including education, employment, and hardship such as The Smith Family, Mission Australia, Good360, ABCN, KARI Foundation, yourtown, The Story Factory, and Sydney Children’s Hospital. The expanded program will now also provide help in areas including homelessness, foster care for families, and crisis support including family & domestic violence.

With the Donate Your Data program, people in need receive a Prepaid Optus SIM with data plus unlimited calls and text every 42 days. Every month, Optus customers’ data donations are pooled and then distributed as an added data boost to help power Australia's potential, the company explained.

Optus managing director marketing and revenue Matt Williams said, “We are very proud to see the positive impact that Donate Your DataTM is having on the lives of the over 25,000 young Australians that are part of the program, especially during the additional stress and pressure caused by COVID-19.

“We look forward to continuing to grow the program with the help of our fantastic community and charity partners who help us ensure that the data donated by customers makes its way to Australians that need it most,” said Williams.

Mission Australia CEO James Toomey said, “Mission Australia is proud to partner with Optus through the Donate Your DataTM program and we’re delighted to offer the program right across the country to people we serve who need access to data and the internet.”

“Through the Donate Your Data TM program, we are enabling those in need to access the internet and opening the door for people and families right across Australia to learn, create and connect in a way that wasn’t previously possible. It is enhancing connectivity and addressing the digital divide for many people Mission Australia helps including those who are homeless and disadvantaged, children and families in need, women escaping domestic and family violence, young people in crisis, people with mental health concerns and disability, people living in social and affordable homes and much more,” said Toomey.

“At such a challenging time, the generosity of Optus customers is helping people in need to stay connected with the support, services, education, employment, and housing they need, as well as friends, family and their communities. This program has also allowed Mission Australia to safely stay connected with the people we serve and engage with a range of innovative ways to deliver support services and social and affordable housing throughout the pandemic,” concluded Toomey.

Optus Postpaid and Prepaid Mobile customers on eligible plans can start donating data today. For more information, go here, or check out the My Optus app.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 21 October 2021.