The whole of Italy felt the impact of the Coronavirus. However, the country leapt into action, putting significant preventative measures in place. Social distancing and lockdown measures created a desperate need for improved connectivity – and Vodafone Italy made it our mission to help key workers and families remain connected throughout the crisis.
Through the Vodafone Foundation, we donated 700 phones, 550 tablets and more than 1,000 SIM cards to associations dealing with social exclusion issues; to support distance learning, but also to assist hospitals and first aid centres, where patients are allowed to use digital tools to keep in contact with their loved ones. To enable this increased use of networks and need for connectivity, we also offered unlimited data to customers experiencing difficulties due to this health crisis.
Further ad hoc initiatives were implemented to support our front-line workers fighting the pandemic, including improved connectivity at the new hospital in Cuasso, the new Milan Trade Fair hospital and the hospital in Verduno; as well as increasing network capacity for the Niguarda Hospital in Milan. A solution has also been deployed across Vodafone’s 5G network, enabling doctors and radiology technicians at the Rozzano and Pius X Clinic sites to collaborate during MRI scans, minimising the need to disturb and move patients.
Our main goal remains to support our customers throughout this pandemic by offering solutions that improve digitalisation for families, keyworkers and institutions treating patients; allowing them to retain vital connectivity during this challenging time.