It's only just over a decade since the first GSM mobile phones became generally available, and even fewer years since they were regarded merely as an accessory of the young and affluent.
"We firmly believe that the mobile sector is making a significant contribution to society and that mobile services enrich people's lives." David Varney, Chairman mmO2 plc
Some 119 million people in the markets where we operate now own a mobile phone. People of all ages see the mobile phone as an essential part of their home and work lives. As an industry we have come from virtually nowhere to a position where we are contributing £22.0 billion to the UK economy alone – 2.2 per cent of gross domestic product.
We firmly believe that the mobile sector is making a significant contribution to society and that mobile services enrich people's lives.
Mobile is being used in many beneficial ways, clearly demonstrating its social value. During the year we published 'Options – mobile technology in public service' which included 100 innovative ways that mobile technology is being used in public services. The examples were varied and included a blood donor matching scheme in India and a motor breakdown system using text for drivers who are deaf or have speech impediments.
We know that many have concerns about the safety of handsets and mobile communication masts. We hope this report will help to reassure stakeholders that, in this, and many other areas, we take our responsibilities seriously. Our approach is to engage with people to explain how the technology works and tell them what we are doing to make sure we operate safely.
But it is just as important to anticipate concerns as it is to react to them, and to take an active role in identifying solutions.
That's why last year we opened the debate on child protection and mobile phones, alerting people to the risks of children making inappropriate contacts or seeing pornographic content. We have actively been promoting safe ways for children and their parents to stay in touch through their mobile phones. The debate on child protection has been taken up by the entire industry. We have continued our own efforts to reinforce the message through, for instance, a series of child protection leaflets on such issues as bullying and the safe use of mobile chat rooms.
We are pleased that our efforts are widely recognised in society. We are represented in some of the main sustainability indices and investment funds, such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index, and have received some encouraging feedback from opinion leaders. Seeking outside endorsement is important for us – we want help in making sure our initiatives strike a real chord with the people and communities we serve. My belief is that responsible companies are more likely to prosper and thrive.
This is my last corporate responsibility statement as Chairman of mmO2. I know that the commitment to corporate responsibility across the Company is strong and growing stronger. Our challenge, as Peter Erskine describes on his page, is to make sure it informs the way we operate as a business, every day.
Find out how O2 UK is trying to tackle the issue of personal safety >
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We were ranked 32nd out of 139 companies in the Business in the Community (BITC) Corporate Responsibility Index. We were the best performing mobile operator in both the BITC Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index..
