ExclusiveConnecting London Car Telephones to TheFonecast.com Opinion The Fonecast - June 4, 2026 It was 1996 when I started working at the Cricklewood head office of Peoples Phone [writes Mark Bridge], initially in a sales support role before becoming part of the Marketing team. The company was an independent mobile phone retailer with a growing network of high-street shops and connected customers. In November 1996 the company and its customer base were acquired by Vodafone, which had already taken over the Talkland retail business and was soon to add Astec to its portfolio.
ExclusiveOfcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges News Mark - November 3, 2024 New rules from UK telecoms regulator Ofcom will protect customers when they use their mobile phone on a foreign network. In addition, customers will be alerted if they are inadvertently roaming, perhaps because they're near an international border.
ExclusiveGlobal smartphone market is set for recovery, says new forecast News Mark - November 23, 2023 A new forecast from research specialists Canalys shows the smartphone market is set to recover next year. Worldwide shipments declined by 12% last year but that decline is expected to slow to 5% this year.
ExclusiveVodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses Networks and operators Mark - June 20, 2023 Vodafone Group plc and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited have agreed to combine their UK telecommunication businesses, respectively Vodafone UK and Three UK. The merger will create a large new network operator to compete with Virgin Media O2 and EE.
ExclusiveUK mobile payment service Paym to close in March 2023 News Mark - December 18, 2022 UK mobile payment service Paym will close on 7th March 2023. The service, which allowed users to make and receive payments using their mobile phone numbers, was launched in 2014.
ExclusiveShow-starters at ShowStoppers Opinion Mark - February 13, 2011 Mark Bridge writes: “Hot products. Cool companies. Meet the press.” That was the tagline for ShowStoppers, a showcase event that took place last night before today’s opening of Mobile World Congress. As you probably heard in today’s podcast, I went along and met a few of the participants.
ExclusiveThe PlayStation mobile has arrived... among others Opinion Mark - February 12, 2011 Xperia Play James Rosewell writes: Tonight Sony Ericsson announced an impressive four new Xperia handsets based on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and the Bravia graphics engine more commonly found in TVs. I got hands-on with the much anticipated Play, and its 3 siblings Neo, Pro and Arc. Here's what I thought.
ExclusiveThis week at The Fonecast: 12th February 2011 Opinion Mark - February 11, 2011 Mark Bridge writes: Next week is Mobile World Congress in Barcelona – I’m sure don’t need me to tell you that! – and Nokia has given us plenty to talk about when we get there.
ExclusiveNokia - a burning platform or a red-hot hoax? Opinion Mark - February 8, 2011 Mark Bridge writes: On Friday morning, Nokia is hosting a Strategy and Financial Briefing in London. And on Sunday evening, it’s holding a press briefing in Barcelona. CEO Stephen Elop is expected to make some significant changes to the company - but what will he say?
ExclusivePoor Nexus S sales? Blame the Carphone Warehouse's deals, says Carphone Warehouse subsidiary Opinion Mark - February 6, 2011 Mark Bridge writes: Last December we reported on the launch of the Google Nexus S, which was being sold exclusively in the UK by the Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy UK (which is run in partnership with the Carphone Warehouse).