Telstra joins fight to help homeless by giving free unmetered access to help service Ask Izzy

ACCESS to free Wi-Fi or data on a mobile phone is no longer a barrier for homeless people trying to find help services, in an Australian-first move from a giant telco.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the launch of Ask Izzy in January. Picture: David Caird

• ASK IZZY:Ask Izzy app connects the homeless to food, shelter and health services

• ASK IZZY:Praise for Ask Izzy app for homeless, but warning it will highlight gaps in the system

ACCESS to free Wi-Fi or data on a mobile phone is no longer a barrier for homeless people trying to find help services, in an Australian-first move from a giant telco.

Telstra announced last week customers on the Telstra network would have free unmetered access to Ask Izzy, a mobile website that connects people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, with more than 350,000 services including food and shelter assistance.

Previously, anyone wanting to access the website, developed by Infoxchange, required free Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Infoxchange chief executive David Spriggs said more than 80 per cent of homeless people owned a smartphone, but did not always have phone credit or access to Wi-Fi.

“Telstra has removed a significant barrier for the one-in-200 people who are homeless each night to access help — the importance of which cannot be understated,” Mr Spriggs said.

“We’re delighted to have Telstra support the Ask Izzy project, which is underpinned by a coalition of community, government, corporate and academic partners.”

Consumer advocate for homelessness Lisa Peterson uses Ask Izzy.

The site launched in January by founding partners Infoxchange, Google, realestate.com.au and News Corp Australia.

Telstra chief executive Andrew Penn said Azk Izzy provided a “vital solution for the many Australians who found themselves homeless each night” and wanted to eliminate any barriers to people using it.

“We want to ensure that Australians can access this support at their time of need which is why we’re pleased to announce free, unmetered access to Ask Izzy on the Telstra network,” Mr Penn said.

News Corp Australia community ambassador Penny Fowler thanked Telstra for its support.

“This is the first time Telstra has made a site meter-free for social good and we thank (Telstra) for this great initiative.”

Since Ask Izzy launched 10 months ago, there have been more than 250,000 searches for services.

The top three searches were for accommodation, food and everyday things such as blankets and showers.

The Telstra partnership comes just weeks after an additional $500,000 was announced by founding partner Google to fund the Ask Izzy open data platform, which will map service demand.

Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Jason Pelligrino said: “The take-up of Ask Izzy has far exceeded all our expectations since it was launched earlier this year, which underscores the fact that even people in need use technology — and many of them rely on their mobile phones.”

REA Group (realestate.com.au) chief executive Tracey Fellows said Ask Izzy was “an incredible example of how technology and innovation could help tackle very real issues”.

Originally published as Telstra joins fight to help homeless by giving free unmetered access to help service Ask Izzy