Retail giant says agreement is based on the operator’s network leadership and shared vision for connected technology, and follows those signed with Vodafone and O2 last year
EE and Dixons Carphone have signed a new multi-year partnership. It follows similar agreements the retail giant signed with both Vodafone and O2 at the end of last year.
Dixons Carphone said the new partnership was based on EE’s “network leadership” and “focus on a shared vision for the role of connected technology at home and on the go.”
Carphone Warehouse UK and Ireland CEO Graham Stapleton said: “This long term partnership with EE takes us in to the next decade with a joint focus on the amazing potential of connected technology, building on EE’s industry-leading 4G network and growing presence in the home.
“Creating deeper relationships with our network partners reinforces the ongoing importance of providing customers with independent advice and deals that are personalised to their needs.
“With the pace of change happening across the industry, we are thrilled that all the major networks value Dixons Carphone’s contribution to their business in the UK. This enables us to continue our ambition to offer customers ever-increasing connectivity options.”
The announcement of the new long-term partnership comes as EE nears the conclusion of its much-delayed indirect partner review.
This was announced a year ago by chief commercial officer Marc Allera, with the aim of working more closely with fewer strategic partners. The review was due to be completed last year but was pushed back following the collapse of Phones 4u in September.
Allera said Dixons Carphone has the retail scale and presence to match its ambition, supporting the increasing number of devices being connected, as well as their ambition for triple-play offerings.
“The combination of Dixons and Carphone Warehouse is very exciting for us, and has the scale, the skills and the retail presence to match our ambition, and support the role that we will play in people’s lives as more and more devices become connected, and customers increasingly seek combined mobile, TV and home offerings.
“Combined with our recent acquisition of Mainline, today’s announcement complements our wider sales strategy to grow the contribution from our direct sales channels through continued growth in our significant retail estate, the onshoring of all sales roles back to UK, and the completion of our exciting digital platform upgrade, which is already starting to benefit customers.
“All this, while focusing our consumer indirect relationships to fewer strategic partners who share our longer term ambition and vision to deliver the UK’s best network and service.”