Mobile phone operator Everything Everywhere has signed a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) deal with China Telecom in a move that will enable the Chinese firm to offer mobile phone services to Chinese residents, businessmen and tourists in the UK.
Under the deal, China Telecom will use Everything Everywhere’s network to offer its services in the same way Tesco Mobile operates on the O2 network.
The virtual network is scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2012 – in time for the anticipated surge in Chinese visitors for the London Olympics – and marks the first time a Chinese telecom company has entered into a MVNO deal with a UK operator.
Yan Ou, managing director of China Telecom in Europe, said: “Entering the UK mobile market is a strategic move for China Telecom. We selected Everything Everywhere based on the strength of its network, and its proven track record of getting MVNOs up and running quickly and efficiently.”
“We are keen to launch the service in the UK as soon as possible as there is a real gap in the market for the provision of tailored mobile services and competitive tariffs aimed at the growing the Chinese population in the UK,” he added.
Everything is the largest mobile phone operator in the UK by customer numbers and has the biggest 3G network for smartphone downloads in the UK. The deal will take the number of partnerships the firm has with other companies to 24.
