Dixons Carphone unveils new mobile network iD

MVNO will begin operation later this summer as part of ‘significant investment’ for Ireland

Photograph: Thinkstock
Photograph: Thinkstock

Dixons Carphone has unveiled its new mobile service, iD, which will begin operation later this summer.

The new network will target 6 per cent of the market within the first five years, and is the result of a €30 million investment in Ireland alone. Some €6 million has been invested in opening a data centre to support iD in Ireland, and the network is expected to create up to 50 jobs.

ID aims to offer consumers more flexible plans than are currently on offer with mobile operators. Dixons Carphone has commissioned research that found 20 per cent of prepay customers were planning to switch mobile operator in the next 12 months, with almost 30 per cent of bill-pay customers planning a similar move.

Managing director of Dixons Carphone Ireland Mark Slater said the launch was a key milestone and significant investment for Dixons Carphone in Ireland.

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“Our Irish operation is leading this strategic project which is an exciting development for our 1,050-strong team here,” he said. “With a strong retail footprint and robust mobile and connected technology expertise, the Irish business is well-positioned to develop a mobile offering that will resonate with Irish consumers.”

The plans for the new network were revealed last year, following the merger of Carphone Warehouse and Dixons in August 2014.

ID is a mobile virtual network operator, which means it uses an existing mobile phone firm’s network rather than building its own. It will work on Three’s netowrk, which recently merged with O2.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist