Data Select agrees deals with Everything Everywhere for consumer airtime connections, with Three also said to be on board
Data Select is set to become an airtime distributor offering T-Mobile, Orange and Three airtime connections.
The new offering, which is set to launch this month, is for consumer contract connections only and does not include B2B. Available tariffs will mirror those found in Three, Orange and T-Mobile stores.
Everything Everywhere, who is understood to have approached Data Select for the deal, has confirmed the news. Conversations with Vodafone are also said to be ongoing, but a deal with O2 has been described as unlikely at present.
An Everything Everywhere spokesperson said: “We already work with Data Select on Pay As You Go and have now agreed to work with them on Pay Monthly consumer contracts as well. We have a good relationship with Data Select and are always looking to strengthen partnerships like this.”
Data Select already works with all operators for prepay handsets for supply into selected retail channels.
It previously distributed prepay SIM cards under its ‘Data Select Network Services’ (DSNS) arm, which was sold to online retailer Expansys in 2010 in a joint deal with PJ Media worth £38 million.
Data Select will target sales through high street and online retailers who are looking to sell consumer airtime contracts as part of their portfolio.
Deals with a number of high street firms are understood to have been signed already and will be announced shortly.
Data Select will provide all hardware fulfilment, including handsets and accessories – an area it is keen to expand on.
It currently has direct supply deals for handset manufacturers Sony Mobile, Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, LG and Doro, as well as its JCB Toughphone range.
A source said: “The industry has gone full circle and is now looking to get more business from new channels.
“The operators realise there is still an opportunity to gain good business from the high street, provided deals are well policed.
“Prepay numbers continue to drop, and the networks need to fill that void.”
Retailers will also benefit from Data Select’s value-added services, which it offers to its B2B and corporate customers.
These include virtual warehousing services from its head office in Slough, to avoid holding vast quantities of stock on site, 24/7 ordering and tracking, reverse logistics, repairs, bespoke packaging and flashing, recycling, marketing and product forecasting.
Data Select was unavailable for comment as Mobile News went to press.
