News 2000
Virgin Mobile Boosts Voucher Sales Outlets From 10,000 To 20,000
08/05/2000
Virgin Mobile today announced it is doubling the number of shops, stores and petrol stations selling its airtime vouchers to 20,000, making it even easier for consumers to use the best-value mobile phone service in the UK.
The retail expansion is being managed for Virgin Mobile by Data Select, an independent distributor, which is part of Phones International Group. It is Virgin Mobile's first ever authorised voucher distributor. This alliance demonstrates Virgin Mobile's commitment to significantly extend the availability of its airtime vouchers, and to making 'topping up' as easy as possible for its customers.
Data Select will be working with Virgin Mobile to distribute vouchers beyond its current 10,000 national multiples, such as Sainsbury, Texaco and BP, to include thousands of independent corner shops and petrol stations.
Steven Day, spokesperson for Virgin Mobile, comments: "The fact that more than 8 out of every 10 new mobile sold are of the pre-pay variety, the demand for vouchers is higher than ever. It is crucial that our customers get convenient access to Virgin Mobile vouchers and our service wherever, whenever. Data Select is an exciting organisation with an entrepreneurial spirit which will work closely with us to develop our pre-pay voucher business across the UK."
Data Select is one of the fastest growing companies in the country, with expected revenues in excess of £100m in its third year of business. Founder and Chief Executive of Data Select, Peter Jones is delighted with this agreement:
"This is a clear demonstration of our market presence and an example of our company ethos of working closely with organisations such as Virgin Mobile.
"Virgin Mobile has only been in the industry for six months yet has accomplished a great deal. It is the ideal partnership: two like-minded organisations operating benchmark companies at world level; our growth has been totally organic and we expect huge growth for Virgin Mobile. To be part of this is strategically key and very exciting for our organisation."
Virgin Mobile operates a 'pay as you want' policy. Customers can top up their airtime account by: buying £10 or £20 vouchers; by using their credit or debit card over their mobile or web; or by setting up a monthly direct debit for the end of each month, subject to a UK credit check.
