In 2007, there were more mobiles than people in Europe, with 478.4 million mobile phones in use with a penetration of 103 per cent of the population - European Commission
The mobile phone has become a unique personal item - with address books, individual records, ring tones and accessories - it is irreplaceable in many people's everyday lives.
Three billion people worldwide now own a mobile phone, promising greater access to digital services and the internet.
Robust competition in a vibrant market has made the mobile phone better value and more widely available than ever before.
From recent trials, 76 per cent of participants said they would watch TV on their mobiles. With high-speed, internet-enabled services the mobile phone combines telecommunications, computing and entertainment in a single device.
People want to update their mobile handsets more often, potentially creating a mountain of electronic waste. Our recycling schemes and charity partnerships offer you a viable solution.
Faster services mean diverse applications for today's two billion global mobile users. Dynamic technology, however, can stir social issues and create heated debates.
Concerns about bullying on mobile phones is just one reason to take note of our advice leaflets, including the safe, polite and secure use of mobile phones.
People have very different mobile needs and budgets. We aim to provide affordable access to mobile communications to people from all walks of life.
Our position is clear: in countries where we provide adult content we ask everyone who wants it to prove they are over 18, and we give clear advice and tools to protect children from unsuitable content.
We urge you to read our advice on using mobile phones sensibly when at the wheel.
Mobile phones provide call records and a store for personal data. We aim to steer a well-informed course - to protect national security on the one hand, and an individual's privacy on the other.
62 per cent of people say their mobile phones are now essential to doing their jobs. How does the changing role of mobile phones affect our workplace, lifestyle and environment?
By working closely with police and authorities we hope to help fight crime. Our police liaison teams and customer service centres advise customers to contact the police if they feel harassed, bullied or threatened.
New applications are enabling more efficient public services - allowing social workers, medical staff and police to exchange vital, often life-saving, data on the move.
Credit card and identity theft fraud is shifting from the high street to the online world. We are taking extra care to limit it.
The mobile sector is creating employment for greater numbers and contributes significantly to the economy. We want to make O2 an employer of choice. We respect what our employees have to say and our clear set of Business Principles guide the way we work inside and outside O2.
Our customers require us to provide reliable coverage. We try to locate our communications masts in a responsible manner, share masts with other operators and consult communities.
Consumers are increasingly discerning. They expect fair and responsible actions from the companies they buy from. Society today requires us to do the right things.
Children between the age of 9 and 11 are the fastest-growing group of mobile users. We work with parents and teachers to help them educate children in responsible, safe and cost-effective use.
On the 1st December 2006 O2 launched it's own Child Protection website . It's packed with the most up-to-date information on all O2's child protection services and advice for parents on issues such as restricting internet access, blocking 18+ content material, text bullying, reporting spam.
Research shows that around 40 per cent of O2’s customers are ‘ethical purchasers’. We work to ensure that our suppliers adopt our own ethical standards.
We are determined to manage our energy use effectively, to conserve resources, buy more electricity from renewable sources, and offset our impact by investing in environmental projects.
Our network and products operate well within international guidelines on safe levels of exposure to electro-magnetic fields. We continue to fund independent studies into the alleged health effects of mobile communications.
We seek to understand and act on diverse and sometimes opposing views about the way we work and how we relate to the communities we serve. We encourage open debate and discourse.
