Post Office MVNO Expands Company’s Telecom Ambitions

The Post Office is to offer mobile services to customers this autumn as the government-owned organisation aims to use its position as a “trusted brand” to simplify mobile tariffs for consumers.

The new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) will use EE’s network and forms part of the Post Office’s ambition to diversify its business. It already offers landline and broadband services as well as financial products like mortgages and travel insurance.

The company, which has nearly half a million telecoms customers, claims it will challenge existing providers by offering great value tariffs and will offer more transparency in a market “dominated by complex offers.”

Post Office MVNO

“Our research tells us that people are seeking greater value, with one in three of those surveyed saying they intended to move away from one of the mainstream providers for their next service,” explains Martin George, chief commercial officer at the Post Office. “We believe we are in an ideal position to offer a genuine alternative with over a third (36 percent) also saying they would consider us as their mobile provider.

“Our network of over 11,500 branches combined with our online, and call centre presence, gives us the perfect platform to become one of the most credible providers of mobile services in the market.”

No details about specific tariffs have been provided, but they will be offered initially in 50 Post Office branches, over the phone and online, before the full network launch later this year.

An increasing number of companies are now offering MVNO services, with the likes of Phones 4U, Sainsbury’s and The People’s Operator all following the trend set by the UK’s first MVNO, Virgin Mobile, which launched in 1999.

Earlier this year, BT agreed a deal for MVNO services from EE, which has partnerships with more than 25 MVNOs

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