Pay-as-you-go sim cards from the Phone Co-op are rolling out for sale in more than 3,800 Co-operative Food stores.
In embracing the sixth co-operative principle, co-operation among co-operatives, the two organisations have joined forces to offer a mobile phone service under The Co-operative brand. A third co-operative, Calverts, designed the sim card packaging.
Already for sale in shops in Manchester, London and Luton, the sim card will gradually become available in all Co-operative Group stores, as well as stores of other retail societies.
The Co-operative Mobile service is hosted by Everything Everywhere (EE), the UK’s largest network. It aims to suit all customers’ needs, from those calling abroad to those making calls mainly within the UK. National rates are cheaper when phoning and texting other Co-operative mobiles.
Steve Murrells, chief executive (retail) at the Group, said: “It is a major milestone for the Co-operative Group to be entering the telecoms sector with its own branded products. We believe that by working with the Phone Co-op we are able to offer one of the most competitive and straightforward mobile pay-as-you go SIM card packages on the market. It’s a genuine own-brand co-operative product, fair and simple, with no strings attached.”
Vivian Woodell, founder and CEO of the Phone Co-op, added: “Up to now, consumers have been forced to accept that if you want to get very good national rates, you’ll have to pay a lot for an international call, and vice versa, or that you’ll be charged an arm and a leg for calling 0800 or 0845 numbers. Some providers have low ‘headline rates’ but then charge for a whole minute when you’ve just spoken for a few seconds.
“With the Co-operative Mobile that won’t happen, and it’s the combination of all these features that makes us so different. We’re proving it’s possible to have all these benefits in just one SIM card. The Phone Co-op is owned by customers, so there are no outside shareholders to pay. That means we can give people the value, and the service, they deserve.”
• The sim card costs 99p and can also be ordered online or by phone, free of charge, from the Phone Co-op by visiting http://payg.thephone.coop, or by calling 01608 434 434.
