Is O2 an ethical and sustainable mobile network provider?
O2 is a mobile network provider, supplying phone users in the UK. This mobile network provider has been rated and researched by The Good Shopping Guide and is featured on our Mobile Networks: Ethical Comparison Ratings Table. The Good Shopping Guide gives an Ethical Rating according to over 15 ethical criteria relating to the Environment, Animals and People.
Unfortunately, O2 does not meet our Ethical Benchmark and is therefore not yet eligible for Ethical Accreditation.
About O2
O2 UK, a British telecommunications services provider with its headquarters in Slough, England, and operating under the O2 name, is officially known as Telefonica UK Limited. Owning it is the 50:50 joint venture between Telefónica and Liberty Global known as VMED O2 UK Limited. O2 has 31.3 million users and is the largest mobile network operator in the UK as of September 2021.
Virgin Media O2 is a joint venture between Telefonica and Liberty Global. GiffGaff is also owned by Virgin Media O2 via Telefonica UK Ltd.
In which categories does O2 score a top rating?
O2 and its parent companies have not been found to invest or profit from the Nuclear Power or Fossil Fuels industries, resulting in a top rating in these two categories.
In which categories does O2 score a low rating?
Unfortunately, O2 receives a middle rating in the Armaments category. This is because Telefonica has several military contracts with the Spanish Ministry of Defence and therefore profits from military operations.
How can O2 improve its Ethical Rating?
Before its score on our Mobile Networks: Ethical Comparison Ratings Table would likely improve, O2 has a number of ethical issues to resolve and address, including in the Armaments and Political Donations categories.
If your mobile network provider values ethics and sustainability, why not check out The Good Shopping Guide‘s Ethical Accreditation? Increase customer and investor confidence and stand out from the greenwash.
Ethical performance in category
GSG score
GSG category benchmark
Ethical Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Acceptable
-
Political Donations
Poor
-
Human Rights
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Other Criticisms
Acceptable
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating