Phones 4U To Launch LIFE 4G Mobile MVNO On EE In March

Phones 4u will launch LIFE Mobile, its own Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), after agreeing a deal to use EE’s 3G and 4G network

LIFE Mobile will offer 3G services from March, with 4G rolling out to customers later this year. EE is currently the UK’s only 4G operator, although rival carriers are expected to launch similar services later this year once the Ofcom auction of spectrum is completed.

Phones 4u says that LIFE Mobile is designed “address the evolving needs” of its customers and will offer a wide range of tariffs that include data packages as standard. More information on these tariffs will be released in the next few weeks and will be available in store, online or over the phone.

LIFE Mobile launch

“The launch of LIFE Mobile is a very significant step for the Phones 4u business,” said Tim Whiting, Phones 4u Group Chief Executive. “We are delighted to be extending our longstanding partnership with EE in order to add LIFE Mobile to the extensive range of products and services available at Phones 4u.”

“LIFE Mobile will enable us flexibility and creativity in designing propositions to give our customers even further choice,” he continued. “We will sell both 3G, and later in 2013, 4G LIFE Mobile tariffs alongside our existing network propositions and are confident the new network will play a key role in driving further growth for our business.”

LIFE Mobile becomes EE’s 25^th MVNO in the UK, following other deals with the likes of Virgin Mobile and The People’s Operator. EE said that it was being selected because of the strength of its network, its strong industry reputation and its flexible and technologically advanced MVNO platform.

It says that the agreement cements its position as the largest MVNO operator in the UK.

“We’re delighted that EE has been selected as Phones 4u’s MVNO partner, giving us the opportunity to further build on our longstanding and successful relationship,” said Marc Overton, Vice President of Wholesale and M2M at EE. “By choosing the EE network, Phones 4u will guarantee its LIFE Mobile customers access to the UK’s widest 3G coverage, as well as the UK’s only 4G network later in 2013. Our ambition is to provide 4G to key industry players by the end of 2013, and we feel this will open up a world of opportunities for both new and existing partners alike.”

While all is going well at EE. rumours surfaced last week that US operator AT&T was considering buying the UK provider, which was formed from the merger of T-Mobile UK and Orange.

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