Hardware distributor to provide mobiles, SIM cards and accessories for the upcoming launch of the Post Office’s MVNO
Brightstar has an exclusive distribution agreement with the Post Office, for supply of handsets, SIMs and accessories, Mobile News understands.
The Post Office announced its intentions to enter the MVNO space in July, after partnering with EE MVNA Transatel. The Post Office already offers home phone and broadband services, amassing more than half a million customers since 2006
The Post Office Mobile MVNO was due to launch across 50 Post Office branches as well as online (fulfilment from Brightstar) this Autumn, but has now been pushed back until later this year. Brightstar declined to comment due to a strict NDA.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “Post Office is undertaking the biggest transformation in the UK’s retail history with many changes taking place across our network and product ranges over the next few months. Therefore we have decided to launch Post Office Mobile later this year to allow our people to focus on these product ranges at this time.”
20:20 brand axed
Meanwhile, Brightstar has confirmed the 20:20 logo has now been removed from its UK and European branding.
The move comes a year after Brightstar Corp acquired 20:20 Mobile, having previously exited the European market in 2012. Brightstar updated its branding in February to reflect the 20:20 acquisition.
A Brightstar spokesperson described the decision to axe the brand as a “natural progression” for the company.
Brightstar founder and former CEO Marcelo Claure told Mobile News in February the 20:20 brand would remain provided it continued to offer “value.”
Claure left Brightstar in August to head up US operator Sprint.
