THE Co-operative Group is entering the mobile phone market by launching its first own-brand pay as you go (PAYG) SIM card in its Devon stores, which offers one of the most competitive deals available.

The Co-operative Mobile pay as you go will be available in more than 3,800 Co-operative Food stores* across the country from this month.

It is being launched in partnership with The Phone Co-op, which provides the service, and will offer low-cost national and international rates, transparent pricing and extensive UK coverage in a single SIM card.

The Co-operative Mobile SIM card, which is also the first Co-operative prepaid mobile service, will be sold in more outlets than any other supermarket brand SIM card.

Key features of The Co-operative’s Mobile PAYG SIM card are:

• Low cost national and international rates** – to suit all customers’ needs, from people who mainly call UK numbers to those that regularly phone abroad but still want good domestic rates. National rates are even cheaper when phoning and texting other Co-operative mobiles.

• Honest pricing – customers pay for what they use. Unlike many other operators, The Co-operative Mobile does not round up to the nearest minute, giving people the opportunity to make a quick call for just a couple of pence.

• Widespread national coverage – The Co-operative Mobile service is hosted by Everything Everywhere (EE), the UK’s largest network.

Steve Murrells, Chief Executive Retail, The Co-operative Group, said:

“It is a major milestone for The Co-operative Group to be entering the telecoms sector with its own branded products. We believe that by working with The Phone Co-op we are able to offer one of the most competitive and straightforward mobile pay as you go SIM card packages in the market.

“It’s a genuine own-brand co-operative product, fair and simple, with no strings attached.”

The Co-operative Mobile pay as you go SIM card is a collaborative venture between a number of British co-operatives***, including The Phone Co-op, which has provided telecommunications services for 15 years.

Over the next month, consumers will start finding the new SIM card in their local Co-operative Food store for just 99p.The cards can also be ordered online and by phone, free of charge, from The Phone Co-op by visiting payg.thephone.coop or by calling 01608 434 434.