Speaking to Reuters at a mobile industry conference in Cannes,
easyGroup founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou confirmed that he has held
talks with network operators in the UK over the purchase of
'minutes', which the company could then sell cheaply to customers,
while avoiding the up-front costs faced by the operators.
The business model would make easyGroup a mobile virtual network
operator, or MVNO, an approach already taken Richard Branson's
Virgin Mobile.
EasyTelecom, as the venture is to be known, will not sell
handsets or accessories, but will limit itself to easyTelecom SIM
cards, which will be inserted into the customer's existing
phone.
"This will be the value-for-money brand," said Haji-Ioannou.
"The most expensive part is the branding and I already have
that."
He will face a familiar rival in his new market: Ryanair Telecom
is scheduled to launch in March.
According to its web site the easyGroup is currently considering
a number of other ventures, including pizza delivery and music
downloads. Its foray into the movie market – easyCinema – launched
last year, promising seats from just 20 pence for those booking
early. It currently operates only in one cinema, in Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire.
