Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

News

Ad-funded MVNO Samba Mobile closes

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Advertising-funded virtual network Samba Mobile has closed down in the UK… just a month after rival MVNO Ovivo Mobile ceased trading.

Samba Mobile was formed in 2010 and launched its mobile network in 2012. It’s posted a message on its website that says “Samba has had to take the difficult decision to close, primarily due to high and increasing - and therefore unsustainable - data costs.”

It says these data costs have made its current model “unsustainable”. Customers who signed up this month will receive a refund for their SIM card or dongle; any credit that’s been bought and hasn’t been used will also be refunded.

The statement goes on to say “You have taken part in a unique experiment that has been welcomed by the ad industry – we have run over 1000 campaigns for our partners and have, to a large extent, proven that people are happy to consume advertising if they are in control of the experience and if they get something meaningful in return. We will be taking this experience into subsequent ventures.”

The Samba Mobile service had used the Three UK network. Customers received a basic data allowance by watching promotional videos online.

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (1)
paul

I'm well p****d off, I've just lost 2 lines, my numbers & cash with that ovivo, now samba where its taken me 6 month to accrue 5.3 gig of data, only to lose the lot, unbelievable, who's next, asda & or giffgaff, they're also mvno's just like ovivo & samba, beware folks, be very careful which network you use, its as if the big boy's allow these mvno's to become established, then when they feel a slight pinch of lost custom, they pull the plug and let us all sink, its time some watchdog put some provisions in place to protect the public, but not the trading standards as all they can do with their sale of goods act is talk a glass eye to sleep.

3
0
You don't have permission to post comments.

Opinion Articles

ExclusiveThe landline phone may be fading... but its number still remains

Mark Bridge writes:

In last weekend’s Sunday Times, Ali Hussain asked "Is this the end for the landline phone?"

He pointed out that the average mobile bill almost halved between 2003 and 2008, while landline bills fell by less than a fifth – which has meant the average mobile bill is now lower than the average landline bill. He went on to list fibre-optic broadband, mobile broadband, mobile calls, VoIP calls and satellite phones as alternatives to using fixed-line phones.

ExclusiveT-Mobile and Orange isn't a big deal

Mark Bridge writes:

It’s the telecoms industry deal of the year. T-Mobile and Orange form a joint venture. The UK’s "big five" networks (or "big four", depending on your predilection for Hutchison 3G UK) will now be a "big four" (or "big three", if you don’t include 3. Confused yet?)

Everyone has an opinion. On Tuesday I was asked for mine.

ExclusiveHere’s one for the laydeez

Mark Bridge writes:

Once upon a time, I’d probably have described myself as a feminist. These days I probably wouldn’t. Not because my opinions have changed, just because I’ve realised there are a lot of women who’d argue that I can’t be a feminist because of my male undercarriage. And me, by birth and possibly by education, therefore being part of the problem – not part of the solution.

Right, disclaimer over. I’ll get to the point. You want a mobile phone that’ll appeal to men...

ExclusiveMobile phones cause brain tumours?

Mark Bridge writes:

Mobile phones fry your brain. That’s been a warning from some people pretty much since the first cellphones appeared. And although the mobile phone industry has changed and the technology has advanced, the warnings haven’t gone away.

Ten years ago, the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones was set up to look at concerns about the possible health effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters.

ExclusiveEnthusiasm is my enemy!

Mark Bridge writes:

Enthusiasm is one of the great intangible powers of the world. It’s attractive, it’s compelling and sometimes it’s dangerous. And – yes, I’m going to try to keep this relevant – it sells mobile phones.

I was reminded of this the other day when I read a Sunday Times article about Apple’s Steve Jobs.

RSS
First107108109110111112114116

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

ExclusiveLooking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

ExclusiveA month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«July 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
293012345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829303112
3456789

Archive