Dixons Carphone has inked a partnership with Three owner Hutchison Whampoa that will see the former launch its own mobile phone network in the UK.
The new network will be a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which means Dixons Carphone will as a separate network but will use masts and other infrastructure belonging to Three. Other MVNOs include Virgin Media, which uses EE and Tesco Mobile, which uses O2 masts.
The retailer will offer branded mobile tariffs to customers buying connected devices such as tablets, wearables, laptops, TVs and home appliances from Carphone, Dixons Currys and PC World. The flexible tariff plans will let customers easily adjust their required minutes and data usage any time during the contract. Details on tariffs and pricing are yet to be announced.
“The announcement of our new network supports our strategic vision to continue to offer customers the widest range of connections, for when they are at home or on-the-go,” said Graham Stapleton, CEO of Carphone Warehouse.
“We will have something different from what is available elsewhere in the market with a more personalised service for the mobile customer that will let them tailor their price, minutes and data to their changing needs.”
Lynda Burton, director of wholesale at Three, said “This is our biggest new customer to date and a great opportunity to be the MVNO partner of a large scale brand with real mobile expertise and insight. Our network capability, recognized as best for smartphone customer satisfaction and reliability, is a great platform and we look forward to supporting the UK’s biggest mobile specialist’s MVNO success.”
