Launch of free mobile ‘imminent’

INTERNET OPERATOR FREE - WHICH IS PROMISING CHEAPER MOBILE PHONES - MAY LAUNCH ITS NEW SERVICE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS INTERNET operator Free could be set to launch its new mobile phone

service before Christmas. Apart from promising low prices, it is also expected to offer the possibility of free calls to many destinations abroad and attractive rates while phoning from

abroad. Although nothing has been confirmed by the firm, Free is known to be technically ready. It is thought it will not now wait until the new year, but will take advantage of the festive

period, when about a quarter of mobile phones sales are made. It has already recruited around 1,000 new staff, most of whom will work in customer support. It has also opened two shops, with

a third imminent and around 10 in total expected by the end of the year. However, the main thrust will be towards sales over the internet. Free’s boss Xavier Niel has claimed he will “cut

people’s bills in two”, and was quoted by Le Figaro saying: “France is the western country with the most aggressive pricing policy on broadband; we want it to be the same for mobile phones,

where it is one of the worst.” The company is expected to launch a range of differently-priced packages, including, it is rumoured, one with unlimited calls, texts and internet at €29.99, a

figure associated with the firm since it fixed its groundbreaking triple-play offer (broadband/TV/landline) at that price for a number of years. Customers will be able to opt for several

different smartphone types, including iPhones.