O2 has promised to lift the limits on number of minutes customers pay for so they can call friends and family during the coronavirus lockdown.
The phone network has been working with the government on ways it can support customers through difficult times.
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Families will be able to speak to each other for as long as they like for free using their mobiles to stay connected while they self isolate.
The limit lift will be automatically be applied to all pay monthly customers on consumer customers – limits will still apply to those on a business account.
Be warned though, the free calls only applies to those made to numbers in the UK and extra charges will apply to calls made abroad.
Phone users can also use apps such as Whatsapp, Facebook and Zoom, to keep in contact with friends and family for free.
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These apps can be downloaded to your phone or tablet and use wifi or data to connect to other users.
You can also use them to contact people who are abroad for free too.
O2 says that the removal of caps on minutes will be introduced at the end of next week.
Telefonica UK – which owns O2 – boss Mark Evans said: “I’m delighted to see the industry and government working together to help the UK at this critical time.
“At O2 we have long-established policies in place to support our customers, and right now, digital connectivity is more important than ever as we connect our customers to vital services and their loved ones.”
This week, Three customers have struggled to get through to the network provider following a decision to shut down its stores and the majority of call centres in light of government COVID-19 advice.
Ministers have ordered all “non-essential” establishments to close to stop the spread of the virus – this includes pubs, theatres and shops selling non-critical products.
Rival network providers O2, EE, Virgin and Vodafone have also shut down shops following the COVID-19 epidemic, although they’ve yet to announce the closure of call centres.
Last week it was reported that phone network providers could help the government track people breaking virus lockdowns.
