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iD, a budget 4G mobile network, will launch in the UK in May

by Mark Tyson on 24 April 2015, 09:53

Tags: Carphone Warehouse, Samsung (005935.KS), Three (HKG:0013)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacqxh

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In February we reported upon Dixons Carphone's plans to become a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) piggybacking on the Three network. At that time we heard that the as yet unbranded network would be introduced in summer to offer flexible tariffs and IoT data plans. The existing Talk Mobile (Vodafone) MVNO would be phased out.

Now we learn that the new mobile network, called simply iD, will be launched in May. You will be able to sign up with the network in all Carphone Warehouse, Currys and PC World stores and online. Retail Week reports that Carphone Warehouse says it will be the "best value 4G" network in the UK and it was formed to address "common challenges" within the industry.

Carphone Warehouse UK's Graham Stapleton explained the thinking behind what the iD mobile network will offer: "People want greater flexibility from their plans and are fed up with the 'one size fits all' approach." He went further to say, "We are also a generation obsessed with the mobile internet and accessing data and services on the move – things people are either paying too much for or just aren't getting. Addressing these challenges forms the basis of the first wave of plans from iD."

The new mobile network will attempt to fit customers better by implementing:

  • Price capped plans
  • Shorter contracts
  • Greater worry-free roaming coverage

Remember that iD will be an MVNO based upon the Three network which already offers capped pricing and some of the best international roaming options available. However Carphone promises the same type of 'feel at home' roaming in "more European countries than anyone else". Also most people will be happier with shorter and more flexible contracts – including those contracts with phones.

An example 'mega offer' has been put forward as one of the first promotions on the iD network. The offer includes a free Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone with 300 minutes, 5,000 texts and 1GB of 4G data for £19.50 a month. This is a 12 month contract so the term cost, which includes the service and phone, is £234 in total. This smartphone is already free on an 18.50pm 24-month contracts at Carphone Warehouse (on O2 with 500 mins, unlimited texts and 500MB data), however that's a 24 month term. Off contract and SIM-free the Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone usually costs around £200.



HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Hmmm. Looks interesting. Been increasingly struggling to find deals recently that suit what I want (100 mins, 500 texts, 500Mb). In the end I bought a Nexus 5 and tmobile sim only deal this time (Which works out at ~£15 a month divided over 24 months) but it wasn't easy getting such a low usage sim only deal at £6.80 a month. Hopefully this will cover me when I need the next deal as EE are doing no new tmobile deals and the EE plans start at a higher price point… (Just wish I got better coverage where I am - no voda, poor o2 and no idea on 3).
good, we need more competition especially with the deals around the corner and buy outs etc.
cheesemp
Hmmm. Looks interesting. Been increasingly struggling to find deals recently that suit what I want (100 mins, 500 texts, 500Mb). In the end I bought a Nexus 5 and tmobile sim only deal this time (Which works out at ~£15 a month divided over 24 months) but it wasn't easy getting such a low usage sim only deal at £6.80 a month. Hopefully this will cover me when I need the next deal as EE are doing no new tmobile deals and the EE plans start at a higher price point… (Just wish I got better coverage where I am - no voda, poor o2 and no idea on 3).

Perhaps a little late and probably not quiet cheap enough for you, but for low usage phones (parents, people visiting from abroad who need a phone to contact me in the country…) I've found 3's PAYG to be extremely effective. But only for really low usage.
cheesemp
Hmmm. Looks interesting. Been increasingly struggling to find deals recently that suit what I want (100 mins, 500 texts, 500Mb). In the end I bought a Nexus 5 and tmobile sim only deal this time (Which works out at ~£15 a month divided over 24 months) but it wasn't easy getting such a low usage sim only deal at £6.80 a month. Hopefully this will cover me when I need the next deal as EE are doing no new tmobile deals and the EE plans start at a higher price point… (Just wish I got better coverage where I am - no voda, poor o2 and no idea on 3).

Have you looked at Virgin mobile? They piggy-back on EE and you can get 1000 mins, unlimited texts and 500Mb for £8 a month rolling if you're already a VM customer, 12-month if you're not.
Jowsey
Perhaps a little late and probably not quiet cheap enough for you, but for low usage phones (parents, people visiting from abroad who need a phone to contact me in the country…) I've found 3's PAYG to be extremely effective. But only for really low usage.

Smudger
Have you looked at Virgin mobile? They piggy-back on EE and you can get 1000 mins, unlimited texts and 500Mb for £8 a month rolling if you're already a VM customer, 12-month if you're not.

Cheers for the suggestions. I've got a couple more months on the tmobile deal but when thats up i'll take a look. Just wish I knew what the 3 signal was like at my house. Voda doesn't work at all and o2 is strong but data doesn't work for some reason for my wife (which isn't a big issue until your broadband switch over screws up for 2 weeks…).