Volunteers supporting those in Ukraine have delivered £10,000 worth of mobile phones delivered by tech recycling specialist WeBuyAnyPhone.com.

A package of 100 brand new Alcatel devices were also included in a van load of aid due to their long battery life, which saw them being delivered to Poland by Hampshire-based volunteers.

Managing director at Portsmouth-based L&S Waste Management, Mick Balch, led the delivery and has completed several since the war began in February.

Graeme Warnell and his wife Aga, who live in Krakow, are some other volunteers who have been housing refugees and donating to the cause.

Graeme said: “Mobile phones are crucial to coordinating  the effort and they needed simple phones with long battery life to keep the lines of communication open.

“We’re very grateful to WeBuyAnyPhone.com for providing these devices, which will help people on the ground directly in a way that will make a huge difference.”

WeBuyAnyPhone.com co founder Aaron Brown added: “All of us at WeBuyAnyPhone.com have been shocked and appalled to see the suffering in Ukraine, but also in awe of those who are helping on the front line and by delivering aid to those who need it.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to help, but when we heard about the need for mobile phones, we saw a way that we could have an immediate impact. 

“We’re pleased to see that these devices are now going to be put to good use, and grateful to Mick and all the volunteers involved for getting them where they were needed most.”

Accessories distributor Juice has donated £70,000 worth of charging devices to Ukraine to help support families stay connected the during the ongoing conflict.

Banbury-based Juice has donated powerbanks, mains charger cables and other tech accessories.

Juice has worked with the Polish Red Cross to successfully deliver the equipment, with all devices fully charged up before leaving Juice’s headquarters.

EE has also supported the donations, with Juice confirming the telco has ‘donated a significant number of powerbanks’ to the cause.

The Polish Red Cross is distributing the devices, according to priority needs in Ukraine and Poland.

Three has developed its Reconnected programme with new partnerships to support Ukrainian refugees displaced due to war, unemployment and social mobility.

Reconnected will allow customers to donate their old phones which Three, in partnership with Genuine Solutions, repackages with unlimited data, texts and calls for six months.

These devices will go to Ukrainians seeking refuge in the UK, and those seeking employment, disadvantaged students and other vulnerable groups facing digital exclusion can also benefit for this scheme.

The programme focuses on three parents who can help tackle key issues of society today: Good Things Foundation, Business in the Community, and LetsLocalise.

Three chief commercial officer Elaine Carey said: “So many of us take our phones and our connectivity for granted. We must remember that there are more than a million households in the UK that do not have this luxury. 

“Our Reconnected programme is all about ensuring disadvantaged people can get connected quickly and easily.” 

Genuine Solutions director Gurjit Dhillon added: “We’re encouraging people not only to donate their old ones when they upgrade, but to dig out smartphones hidden away in drawers and ensure they are either donated to one of our key charities – or refurbished or recycled. 

“This way we can ensure your phone either goes to someone in critical need of it, can be given a new lease of life, or be sustainably recycled.” 

Nokia has confirmed it will exit the Russian market due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Finnish vendor revealed in a statement today (April 12) that it has suspended deliveries, stopped new business and moved its R and D activities out of the country.

Nokia’s imminent exit from the Russian market, isn’t expected to impact on its financial outlook, the company confirmed.

The Russian market accounted for less than two per cent of Nokia’s net sales during 2021.

In a statement Nokia said: “Western governments have expressed concerns about the risk of critical telecommunication network infrastructure in Russia failing.

“They have also emphasised the importance of ensuring the continued flow of information and access to the internet which provides outside perspectives to the Russian people. Therefore, as we exit we will aim to provide the necessary support to maintain the networks and are applying for the relevant licenses to enable this support in compliance with current sanctions.”

Three UK and Cellhire have announced new support for Ukrainians as a way for them to stay connected in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Three UK will provide Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK with a free 30-day preloaded Pay as You Go SIM card, including unlimited domestic calls, texts and data within the UK.

Preloaded SIMs are available for free to Ukrainian refugees in the UK via Three’s 311 stores.

Three UK and Ireland chief commercial officer Elaine Carey said: “As a mobile network, the best way we can support is to ensure refugees arriving in the UK from the conflict and customers currently in Ukraine can stay connected to the people who matter to them.”

Support for journalists and customers

Cellhire will use its eSIM based mobile network ‘eSIMsmart’ to provide mobile connectivity over-the-air to journalists and news media customers in Ukraine.

Cellhire group CEO Martyn Stevens said: “The eSIM based mobile connectivity is essential to ensuring individuals are contactable and have a communications lifeline.

“Cellhire is supporting many companies, broadcasters and media journalists that are already on the ground or heading to Ukraine to report and broadcast on the situation.

“Our eSIM solution is an essential lifeline in these crucial times, keeping users on the ground connected.”