Channel 4 News reports that Everything Everywhere has suspended its 10% handling charge for text message donations to charities. The company, which is responsible for the Orange and T-Mobile UK networks, says it’s unlikely to reinstate the charge.
UK networks started cutting the costs of SMS donations in 2009, with O2 and Vodafone removing all admin charges last summer. This move was followed recently by Virgin Mobile and Three.
Until today, Everything Everywhere was the only major UK mobile network operator that charged some charities for each text message donation it handled, although it was giving 100% to specific charity partners. It said the handling charge covered administration and made no profit.
In a statement, Everything Everywhere said “Through our text to donate service we want to help charities make the most of donations received. We believe we are close to developing such a system and will make a further announcement in due course.”