News 2000
Virgin Mobile wins best network award
10/11/2000
Newcomer pips established players to the post
Newcomer Virgin Mobile has been voted 'Best Network 2000' by consumer magazine Mobile Choice for offering customers the best deal and service available in 2000.
Arriving as the company celebrates its 500,000th customer and first birthday, the success of Virgin Mobile will well and truly ruffle competitors' feathers. Last year's winner, Orange, falls to third place behind Vodafone, with One 2 One coming fourth, and BT Cellnet trumped in last place, this year's Mobile Choice Awards reflects an industry in transition.
Launching as the UK's first virtual mobile network operator Virgin Mobile's achievements over the year include a number of other firsts including being the:
- First consumer brand to launch into the UK mobile market
- First to abolish peak rates
- First to offer a daily discounting tariff
- First to offer one simple tariff for all customers
- First to allow customers to pay any way they like
- First to offer m-commerce services to all customers irrespective of their handsets via Virgin Xtras
- First in the world to launch a GSM MP3 mobile phone
- First to trial mobile vending in the UK
Commenting on the award Mobile Choice's Steve Gold says: "It may be a surprise to some and a downright shock to others, but squeezing in at number one is… Virgin Mobile.
"It's been an interesting year for mobiles and undoubtedly a cracking one for consumers, thanks to the arrival of the ground breaking new 15 to 10 to 5 pence tariff from Virgin - which soon slashed to a 15 to 5 pence deal this summer. Virgin deserves its number one slot after an impressive first year."
Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Mobile said:
"We're thrilled to have received this award. It recognises the enormous contribution all the staff at Virgin Mobile have made in making Britain's newest mobile phone company the best. It's a great compliment and a tremendous accolade to receive on our first birthday."
