Ikea to launch virtual network with T-Mobile

[mobaholic]

Ikea will launch its own virtual network for its loyalty programme members.

The home furnishing company has teamed up with T-Mobile and virtual network specialists Mobile Partners UK to start its own MVNO from Friday 8 August, with prepay Sim cards available to the 1.4 million Ikea Family loyalty programme members in the UK.

Ikea’s customer relationship manager Jason Baker said: ‘You can’t control the rising costs of petrol, utility bills or food but by being at least 25% cheaper than any other comparable pay-as-you-go offer, Family Mobile can help you take control of your mobile phone costs.’

Calls will cost 9p per minute and texts will be 6p each at any time and any day, with users only paying for the air time they use with no fixed monthly payments and no minimum spend beyond an initial £10 of airtime purchased.

On 5 August, Ikea will give its 9,500 UK employees a special introduction to the package by giving them a free Family Mobile Sim card with £5 of pre-loaded credit and a mobile phone.

Sim cards can be ordered free of charge from the Famly Mobile website.  Phones will not be sold by Ikea, but they will be available from its partner Mobile Partners UK.

See:-  Mobile Today.

[mobaholic]

There is now a website where one may sign up to join.

See:-   http://www.familymobile.co.uk/

To be a customer of Family Mobile you do have to be a member of IKEA FAMILY.  However, when you sign-up for Family Mobile, you will automatically be registered as a member of IKEA FAMILY.  It's free to join, and being a member of IKEA FAMILY gives you lots of free benefits, special promotions and other great offers from IKEA.

Their website has a FAQ section:-

Let us help you

>  Can I keep my existing mobile number?
>  How do I activate my new SIM card?
>  How does Voicemail work?
>  Calling while abroad, or 'Roaming'
>  How do I sign up with Family Mobile?
>  How do I know if my handset is locked?
>  Is there a notice period?

Features of special note include:-

You can pick a number.

Refer a friend, get £10 credit.

Minimum top up £10.

You can only top up by a valid UK debit card.

Offers call divert. 15p a minute.  *Unique on Pay & go*.

Cheapish calls to 0844/0845 as far as a mobile is concerned: 9p a minute.

First minute charged in full, then second billing operates.

Offers Web Text which allows you to send text messages from your mobile  number to any UK mobile from your computer.

Verdict:-  Probably worth taking a look !   

[Graham]

This looks like good value - particularly to 0844 and 0845

[mobaholic]

Further UK prices for services may be seen at http://www.familymobile.co.uk/infopages/uk-price-sheet