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Over 44,500 Australians Supported with Mobile Internet Access and $30M of Value Delivered through Donate Your Data Program

19 October 2023
  • 37,500 students and families received mobile internet access via The Smith Family partnership
  • Over 55 million gigabytes donated since program commenced
  • Donating data is an innovative way to support Australians in need

One in five respondents (21.6%) think that their children will miss out on the internet access needed for schoolwork this year, according to a recent survey by The Smith Family of parents and carers of students participating in its Learning for Life education support program. 

To help address the problem of internet access, Optus created the innovative Donate Your Data program in 2019, in collaboration with The Smith Family. Since its inception, the partnership has provided 37,500 students and their family members with free SIM cards loaded with calls, texts and data, which has supported children with online learning and education. The unique program has expanded to include additional charities, and to date, over 44,500 people in total have received support with free calls, texts and data. This equates to $30M of equivalent value delivered across the life of the program.

Optus customers can donate their unused data as part of the Living Network’s Donate Your Data program. Generous Optus customers have donated over 55 million gigabytes of data since 2019, which has equated to more than 6 million donations since launch. The program is a quick and simple way for Australians to donate, especially if they don’t have the time to volunteer or resources to give financially.

Eva and her family have taken part in the Donate Your Data program through The Smith Family. 

Eva said, “Without the help, it would have been more stressful. As a mother raising my four children single-handedly, it would have created some considerable strain on me in regards to my finances.

"Jemimah (my daughter) wants to be an architect. She has a clear view of what she wants to become. The free data from Optus has helped Jemimah study.”

Jemimah said, "I really want to thank Optus and their customers for their support because it has made a very big difference in my family's life.

"I cannot imagine not having internet because it connects us. This is how we live now."

Optus Managing Director, Matt Williams, said, “We know that being digitally connected and digitally skilled is critical for education, business success and staying connected to friends and family. We are dedicated to supporting the next generation in achieving their potential in this digital era and are proud that the Donate Your Data program is making an impact four years on.

“It’s always so lovely to hear stories like Eva and Jemimah’s, and to know that the Living Network’s Donate Your Data program is making a difference for families across the country.” 

The Smith Family Head of Policy, Programs and Strategy, Wendy Field, said, “Many of the families we work with don’t have reliable, consistent access to the internet, but the internet is now essential for learning. If students don’t have all the tools they need, they can fall behind in their education, and it’s of major concern they won’t develop the digital skills needed for the jobs of the future. 

“Working with and through partners like Optus and generous individuals is key as we work to get all students participating in our Learning for Life program online by 2027.”
Optus customers can learn more about donating their unused data by going to www.optus.com.au/living-network/donate-your-data.

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For further information, please contact: 
Optus: Nicole Higgins, 0402 278 934, nicole.higgins@optus.com.au
The Smith Family: Sophie Eaton, 0447 571 397, sophie.eaton@thesmithfamily.com.au

About Optus 
Optus is a leading Australian technology and telecommunications company. We provide customers with more than 11 million services each day. With more than 7000 employees across Australia, Optus delivers a comprehensive range of telecommunications products including: mobile and fixed line telephony; fixed and mobile broadband services; multimedia entertainment and technology services; satellite services; and converged business telco applications and solutions.

About The Smith Family
The Smith Family is a children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. It works with more than 760 Australian schools to support 60,000 students experiencing disadvantage through its Learning for Life education support program. For more, visit thesmithfamily.com.au