Vodafone and Sainsbury’s have scrapped a partnership to provide mobile services for the supermarket, with customers’ deals set to come to an end in January.
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It’s never been a major operator, but Mobile by Sainsbury’s had a decent selection of cheap plans, which could also help you beef up your Nectar card game. It added that customers would not be automatically switched over to a new network, and would have any disconnection fees waived if they transfer before the network is shut down.
“Mobile by Sainsbury’s priority now is to help its customers and make sure they are inconvenienced as little as possible”.
Its 38-strong network of in-store phone shops selling mobile phones and accessories will remain unaffected and it will continue selling handsets in more than 300 stores.
J Sainbury (LON:SBRY) has announced that it is pulling out of the mobile network market.
According to media reports, ammicable talks between Sainsbury’s and Vodafone (LON:VOD), led to the service’s closure.
Sainsbury’s apologised to customers on a message on its website, saying it wanted to make the process of changing mobile provider as “straightforward as possible”.
Mann gives examples of a Hungary MVNO venture with Tesco that Vodafone had abandoned, as well as ending its deal with BT Mobile.
“We’re sorry to let you know that from 15th January 2016, the Mobile by Sainsbury’s phone service will no longer be available”, said Sainsbury’s.
The service reportedly attracted around 150,000 customers since it was launched in July 2013.
The move has prompted speculation that Vodafone may be withdrawing the MVNO market altogether, though the provider has denied this.
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