Connectivity is Most Important Part of Brits’ Christmas Celebrations: Vodafone

Vodafone has released new research revealing the importance of being digitally connected at Christmas, with 9 in 10 Brits (94%) stating that being connected to loved ones at Christmas is important to their celebrations.

For the majority of Brits (68%)2, hearing from loved ones is the best gift connectivity has given them, with these festive connections seen as more important than Christmas dinner (47%), opening presents (23%) or playing family games (18%).

The research, which comes as Vodafone announces it has helped three million digitally excluded people and businesses cross the digital divide as part of its everyone.connected initiative, highlighted how intrinsic connectivity is to Christmas in today’s digital world. In fact, more than half (52%) of Brits said they struggle to imagine Christmas without it.

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Alongside those all-important connections to loved ones, the top ways in which Brits use tech at Christmas include: Christmas shopping (30%); finding the best discounts (15%); posting updates on social media (14%); and tracking when to take their turkey out of the oven (10%).

44% of Brits surveyed said tech, and being connected, helps make Christmas more magical for their children. Of those individuals, the ability to video call loved ones when apart (64%), fill the home with festive cheer by streaming Christmas music and videos (53%) and track Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve (34%) were named as the top ways to add that touch of magic with digital connectivity.

The study also showed how Brits plan to stay in touch this year, with: Gen Z most likely to video call their loved ones to wish a ‘Happy Christmas’ (41%); millennials opting for WhatsApp (49%); and baby boomers going for a traditional Christmas Day phone call (50%).

Last year, approximately 16 million SMS messages and 21 million calls were made by Vodafone customers on Christmas Day. That’s a considerable leap since the world’s first text message was sent over the Vodafone network in December 1992, reading ‘Merry Christmas’.

According to the study, 36%5 of Brits will be spending this Christmas apart from their loved ones, for reasons such as being with a partner’s family (20%) or working (19%). For these people, connectivity will play an even more crucial role during the festive season, with 72% planning to use technology on the day to speak with their loved ones.

With Brits rating connection at Christmas so highly, nearly half (48%) say they experience loneliness during the festive period. They put this down to factors including: not having loved ones there in person (33%); seeing social media updates of friends and families together (20%); and not having the means or digital skills to be able to contact loved ones (19%).

Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Vodafone UK, said: “Connecting with loved ones is a hugely important part of the festive season and if you aren’t together in person, technology becomes central to making that connection.

“But for those without access to this, due to a lack of skills or the means to get online, the simple act of having a voice call with a faraway family member or messaging a friend at work is out of reach.

“At Vodafone, we believe connectivity is something people can’t, and shouldn’t have to, live without. And that’s never clearer than at this time of year. This belief underscores the importance of initiatives like our everyone.connected programme and the work we do with our valued partners.

“We are proud to have now helped three million people and businesses cross the digital divide and remain committed to reaching our target of four million by the end of 2025.”

Digital divide: ‘People shouldn’t have to live without connectivity’
Nicki Lyons, Vodafone’s UK Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, went to Finsbury Park in North London to meet charity partner, The Trussell Trust, as it launched its 'Guarantee our Essentials’ campaign on Tuesday.
Vodafone’s everyone.connected programme is committed to tackling digital exclusion and has pledged to help four million people and businesses cross the digital divide by the end of 2025. Working with partners including Trussell, NSPCC and Good Things Foundation, Vodafone donates tech, connectivity and skills to help achieve this.

Emma Revie, CEO, Trussell, said: “In today’s increasingly digital world, being online and connected is one of life’s essentials. Lacking access to the internet impacts people’s ability to apply for jobs, manage their finances or access vital services. It’s also an important lifeline for people to connect with family and friends.

“Through our partnership with Vodafone, we’ve been able to distribute almost 200,000 free SIM cards to people who are facing digital exclusion, via our Help through Hardship helpline and a number of food banks in the Trussell community.

“No one should be without life’s essentials, and initiatives like Vodafone’s everyone.connected programme have become central to helping tackle the growing issue of digital exclusion.”

To date, Vodafone’s everyone.connected programme has delivered £200 million in social value across the UK as a result of donating connectivity, tech and skills support, and its provision of affordable services such as social tariffs.