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Phones 4u announces the launch of Life MobileJan 22, 2013 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Phones 4u today announces that it is launching LIFE Mobile, a mobile virtual network that will run on EEs 3G network, with plans to roll out 4G services later in 2013. In development for over 12 months, LIFE Mobile will launch in March 2013 and has been designed to address the evolving needs of Phones 4us customers, who see their mobile devices as an integral part of their daily lives and look for as much choice and flexibility as possible when deciding what devices and plans are best suited to their individual requirements. Life Mobile, will offer a wide range of great value tariffs and services that include data packages as standard, reflecting the changing nature of customer usage. Tim Whiting, Group Chief Executive said: The launch of LIFE Mobile is a very significant step for the Phones 4u business. Our strategic vision is based upon an unrelenting focus on building ever-stronger relationships with our customers, which we believe is fundamental to our on-going business success. This focus delivered record revenue growth in 2012, a year in which we opened more than 100 stores across the UK. 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. Our customers see their mobile devices as an integral part of their daily lives. LIFE Mobile will enable us flexibility and creativity in designing propositions to give our customers even further choice. 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. Marc Overton, Vice President of Wholesale and M2M at EE, said: We're delighted that EE has been selected as Phones 4us MVNO partner, giving us the opportunity to further build on our longstanding and successful relationship. By choosing the EE network, Phones 4u will guarantee its LIFE Mobile customers access to the UKs widest 3G coverage, as well as the UKs 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. Full information on the tariffs and services available on LIFE Mobile will be announced in the coming weeks. From March, LIFE Mobile will be available to customers in every Phones 4u store on the high street, including all 150 Phones 4u store-in-stores in Dixons Currys and PC World outlets, as well as by phone and online. Phones 4u trading update for the month of December 2012: - Total sales for the period were 121.6m, up 23.3% compared with December 2011, with like-for-like sales up 15.8%. - For the full year total sales were up 20.7% with full-year like-for-like sales up 11.9%. - Online sales continue to grow strongly with revenue up 47.3% in December year-on-year and up 73.2% for the full year. - The strong growth is primarily driven by contract volumes which were up 34.8% year-on-year in December and up 26.8% for the full year. *About Phones 4u Phones 4u, part of Phones4u Finance plc, is one of the UKs leading independent mobile retailers, offering multiple networks and smartphone brands and market-leading choice and value. Led by CEO Mary Grant, it was acquired by private equity firm BC Partners in April 2011. A preferred launch partner of smartphone manufacturers worldwide, Phones 4u has over 680 stores on the UK high street, having opened 45 new Phones 4u stores in 2012 alone. As part of an exclusive partnership with Dixons Retail, Phones 4u also has 150 store-in-stores in Currys/PC World, of which 57 opened in 2012. In recognition of its success in delivering outstanding customer service, Phones 4u was recognized as best high street retailer at the 2012 Mobile Industry Awards. As part of an ongoing commitment to customer excellence, Phones 4u has invested more than 10 million to date in the training and development of its people, centred on a bespoke, state of the art, training and induction academy located in Fort Dunlop, Birmingham. Phones 4u now employs more than 6,000 staff across the UK. For more information, visit www.phones4u.co.uk ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |