T-Mobile signs Ikea MVNO

T-mobile has struck an MVNO deal with Swedish flat-pack furniture chain Ikea to sell prepay SIM cards to its loyalty card customers. The service, called Family Mobile, goes live on Friday (August 8).

Ikea claims to have 1.4 million Family loyalty programme member.

The service will have fixed rates at 9p per minute for calls and 6p for text messages, with a minimum initial top up of £10.

The service, pitched to families, allows customers a number of SIM cards per account, so credit isshared among the different lines.

Ikea CRM Manager Jason Baker said: "In the current climate, where every penny counts, Ikea is offering another benefit to our loyal customers. You can't control the rising costs of petrol, utility bills or food but by being at least 25 per cent cheaper than any other comparable prepay offer, Family Mobile can help customers take control of your mobile phone costs."

T-Mobile chief executive Jim Hyde (pictured) said: "We're delighted to have been chosen as the network behind the new IKEA mobile service."

Ikea will also be presenting all 9,500 employees with a free Family Mobile SIM card with £5 credit pre-loaded along with a mobile phone on August 5.