Freedom of information response

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is requesting electronic information from 2022 onwards regarding the distribution of SIM cards and digital devices by libraries within your county council's jurisdiction.

Accordingly, we seek detailed information on the following aspects:

1. SIM Card and Device Distribution: SIM Cards only gifted by the Good Things Foundation organisation. Libraries don’t currently distribute devices for loan. SIM cards gifted from specific libraries across Thurrock: Belhus, Grays, Corringham, Chadwell, East Tilbury, Tilbury.

1. 1. 1. 1. The total number of SIM cards and devices each library within your council has distributed. -  235 SIMS. No devices gifted

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2.       The timeframe over which these distributions took place. - July 2022-May 2024

2.       Criteria and Process: 

1.       The criteria used to determine eligibility for receiving SIM cards and devices (devices not applicable).

 Eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Applicants must be 18+ years old. 
• AND be from a low-income household. 
• Have no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
• AND/OR no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home. (No roaming outside the UK)
• AND/OR cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up 
• Benefactors must be Thurrock resident.

2. The process followed by libraries to distribute these items to beneficiaries.

There are three different sim cards available – Vodaphone, 3mobile and Virgin O2. The residents’ phone must either be unlocked or compatible with one of these providers in order for the sims to be issued and work i.e., if they have an EE locked phone, none of sims will work or they have a O2 locked phone, the Vodaphone sim won’t work etc. The provider can be checked on the residents’ phone in the settings so ensure you’re only issuing a compatible sim. The sim card needs to be activated while the resident is in the library so they must have their phone with them.

Vodaphone and 3 Mobile

1. Check resident fits the above criteria
2. Check which sim card is compatible with residents’ phone
3. On the back of the physical sim card, there is a phone number. This should be recorded on the registration form along with the provider.
4. Either complete the online registration form or ask the resident to complete a paper registration form and sign – be sure to check this. All requested details must be provided.
5. Get resident to put sim card in phone. The sim card will automatically activate.
6. Scan (if paper form used) and email registration form or enter data direct into the online portal,

O2

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above.
2. If the resident is already on O2 and wishes to keep their own phone number, record this on the registration form – do not issue them with a physical sim card. If they would like a new phone number or are not already on O2, record the new phone number on the registration form. Circle O2 as the provider.
3. Either complete the online registration form or ask the resident to complete a paper registration form and sign – be sure to check this. All requested details must be provided.
4. Now, an admin is needed to activate the O2 data sim service before the customer leaves the library. A member of staff will activate the sim card on the database for the resident.
5. Scan (if paper form used) and email registration form or enter data direct into the online portal.

Staff must ENSURE THEY:

• Understand and comply with GDPR policy.

• store personal details in a secure location, e.g. in a filing cabinet with a lock and key, or in a password-protected file.

• No personal/sensitive data is retained on paper records beyond the length of the project.  
• Registration form must be completed by the applicant, dated, and signed.
• Join new members (Optional, we don’t force residents to be a member, we can only encourage them by promoting our services. )

The mobile number which is at the back of the SIM card must be recorded accurately on the registration form and the type of sim gifted must be circled as Good Things Foundation needs a monthly report with detailed information.

• SIMs must be activated while in the library to ensure it is compatible with applicant’s phones before they leave and for security purposes.