Tackling data poverty through the National Databank
Bridging Digital Gaps with Free SIM Access
Overview
Connectivity should never be a privilege. IFB Gaming launched the Free SIM Card Initiative to ensure that individuals on low incomes, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with no recourse to public funds could stay connected and access essential online services. The initiative reflects our belief that digital access is a basic right — a foundation for opportunity, communication, and dignity in the digital age.
The Challenge
For many, the cost of mobile data and connectivity remains a major barrier to digital inclusion. Without reliable internet access, people cannot apply for jobs, continue learning, or communicate with loved ones.
For displaced individuals, this isolation is often compounded by language barriers, unstable housing, and financial hardship — deepening the divide between those who are digitally connected and those left behind.
Our Response
In partnership with telecom providers and local community networks, IFB Gaming distributed free SIM cards preloaded with data, calls, and text allowances.
Each distribution was accompanied by one-to-one guidance and signposting to digital literacy resources, helping recipients build confidence in using their devices to access job opportunities, education platforms, and vital public services.
Impact
Reach: 300 beneficiaries across London. Empowerment: Participants received pre-loaded SIM cards that provided immediate digital access, empowering them to apply for jobs, continue learning, and engage with vital community and government services.
Community Voice:
“This SIM card means I can communicate with my children and grandchildren, we are now closer, and I can now manage my health online.” — Joseph, London
What’s Next
The Free SIM initiative now forms part of Empowering Futures’ annual Winter Data Care campaign. We are expanding partnerships to reach more people, strengthen connectivity resilience, and align with national digital inclusion frameworks.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
