An Post launches The Shared Network
An Post joined with charities and service providers at Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre to announce the launch of The Shared Network, the first mobile data (sharing) initiative created especially for people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation across the country.
Although many of Ireland’s homeless have phones, few can afford data, all the time. The Shared Network from An Post will facilitate more reliable communication and connection for Ireland’s homeless community. The service donates data from An Post’s mobile network and redistributes it to Ireland’s homeless.
The Shared Network will be powered by:
- an initial transfer of 18,000GB of data from An Post Mobile.
- Irish consumers can play their part too, as An Post has 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 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 ambition is that 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 and back on their feet.
The Shared Network is available to people who are homeless or living in temporary emergency accommodation through charities working in the area of homelessness. 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
Managing Director, Retail, at An Post, 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.
New and existing customers can donate data to The Shared Network. This means that the people of Ireland can play their part in helping Ireland’s homeless community get back on their feet”.
Pat Dennighan, CEO, Focus Ireland said, “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.”
Debbie also announced at The Shared Network launch that An Post is giving a donation from every €19 booklet of 20 Christmas stamps to make up a special ‘Fund’ that will be shared among charities around the country working with people who are homeless or in temporary accommodation. Based on anticipated sales, An Post expects the donation to homeless charities to be a minimum of €150,000.