Customised device and airtime deals will be sold in 200 charity shops around the UK
Charity Age UK has launched an MVNO and own-branded handset through custom manufacturer CyCell and Cognatel.
The phone runs on the Vodafone network and features up-to eight quick-dial buttons for customers to contact relatives. It has been designed for those who may struggle to use a traditional handset and comes with 30-day rolling contracts.
Age UK will sell the handset, called the Age UK My Phone, direct for £55 and will offer a Christmas gift package for £87.50 which includes 50 minutes of calls per month for six months.
The charity receives 15 per cent of each sale and a share of monthly revenues from calls made through the MVNO.
Age UK head of Affinity – the charity’s commercial arm – Helena King said: “According to latest research, 88 per cent of people aged over 65 use a fixed landline as their main method of making and receiving phone calls. It’s therefore not surprising that some older people may have limited experience of using mobile technology and the benefits it has to offer.
“We know how important it is to stay in touch and we’ve listened to feedback from older people, so we’re delighted to be launching the Age UK My Phone. It’s easy to use and means that people can contact their nearest and dearest at literally the touch of a button.”