An Post has joined with charities and service providers to launch of The Shared Network - the first mobile data sharing initiative created especially for people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation.
The postal service says that although many of Ireland's homeless have phones, few can afford data all the time.
The Shared Network will see more reliable communication and connection for the homeless community.
The service donates data from An Post's mobile network and redistributes it to the homeless.
It will be powered by an initial transfer of 18,000GB of data from An Post Mobile.
Image: YouTube/An PostAn Post has also committed to add 1GB of data to their donation for every new customer that joins the An Post Mobile network until the end of 2020.
Existing An Post Mobile customers can also donate to The Shared Network when they top up.
An Post will also match all data donations received by the end of March 2020, with a minimum donation of a further 18,000GB of data guaranteed.
The company hopes The Shared Network can stay powered throughout 2020, and that the people of Ireland can play a part in helping Ireland's homeless community to get connected.
An Post is donating 18,000GB of data across 2,000 SIM cards to five key national charities to distribute to their clients:
- Dublin Simon Community
- Focus Ireland
- Peter McVerry Trust
- St Vincent De Paul
- Merchants Quay Ireland
An Post retail managing director Debbie Byrne said: "The Shared Network is the second initiative from An Post to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness and to offer practical support to Ireland's homeless community.
"The Shared Network facilitates more reliable communication and connection with essential services.
"In an age where connectivity is key, those without online access can feel increasingly isolated and left behind. As a major Irish company with world-class expertise and a deeply connected, community-conscious body of staff, our purpose is to be a force for good, wherever we can.
"We have the expertise and the national reach to make a real difference.
Pat Dennighan, CEO of Focus Ireland, added: "The Shared Network will make a real difference to people's lives.
"From keeping in touch with family to searching the web for a new home to rent, it is a practical initiative that will make a real difference."
