17 November 2008
There has been an increase in the number of consumers choosing SIM card only deals for their mobile phones, according to the chief executive of T-Mobile.
Jim Hyde told the Independent that consumers are putting off handset upgrades as the economic downturn continues to bite and he predicted that sales of SIM-only price plans will rise further over the next 12 months.
"We have definitely witnessed an increase in SIM-only deals as the credit crunch has impacted customers," he remarked, pointing out: "People are staying with their devices for longer."
According to the Telegraph, O2 has also seen increased demand for SIM-only contracts.
Matthew Key, chief executive of Telefonica Europe, which owns O2, told the newspaper that more customers are taking out its 30-day SIM-only deals, which allow them to opt in and out of their contract each month.
Meanwhile, Virgin Mobile has launched a new SIM-only tariff offering 200 minutes and 200 texts for £10 a month.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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