Vodafone will be donating around 75,000 connections during the Wimbledon tennis tournament, which starts today (July 1).
The ‘Connect Better’ promotion will challenge players to hit their fastest serves and increase the target number of 75,000 connections.
It is part of Vodafone’s everyone.connected program, which aims to help four million people and businesses cross the digital divide by the end of 2025. The network will match the total miles per hour (MPH) speeds of the fastest serves achieved every day and will match the total MPH in donated SIMs, tech, and resources.
Vodafone will multiply the final MPH number by the 14 days the event runs. Based on the fastest serves recorded by IBM during last year’s Wimbledon, this could mean 71,148 donations provided to people, businesses, and communities who do not have digital connectivity.
Vodafone estimates 43 percent of the population would find it difficult to get involved in sports without digital connectivity. A third of people surveyed use the internet to find out information about local sports clubs, book classes or sessions, and obtain equipment.
Sarah Kaye, Chief Executive of Vodafone’s charity Sported, said: “Poor connectivity and a lack of resources severely limit the potential of sports clubs in deprived communities. Access to the internet, modern devices, and essential digital skills are crucial. Many are left behind due to a lack of these resources, restricting their opportunities for growth, collaboration, and exposure.
Vodafone found that over two-thirds of adults say having access to the internet plays a role in ensuring they take part in sport and exercise.
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Vodafone UK, adds: “Many individuals, communities, and businesses lack the connectivity to enjoy sports activities. Our everyone.connected initiative helps address these challenges.”
The gap between people with internet access and people without it is called the digital divide. For people negatively affected by the digital divide in the UK”.