UK virtual mobile network Vectone Mobile has introduced a £40 'pay as you go' unlimited call package. The Smart Bundle monthly plan from Vectone Mobile offers unlimited calls and texts to any UK mobile network, unlimited calls and texts to other Vectone mobiles, and a daily allowance of 10MB mobile data for £40 per month.

International mobile phone service provider Lebara has launched 'pay monthly' SIM-only contracts in the UK. Charges start from £10 per month and include up to 2000 Lebara-to-Lebara call minutes and text messages, along with an allowance of UK or international calls. There's a minimum contract term of three months. Lebara is also offering up to 10MB of mobile internet access per day free until 1st November 2010 as part of a special launch offer.

Independent telecoms analyst Ovum says the market for ‘no frills’ mobile virtual network operators will increase over the next five years. Tesco – which runs the Tesco Mobile MVNO - and other retailers will benefit as more and more people select their mobile service as they shop.

Mark Bridge writes:

The adage that “the customer is always right” has apparently been disproved by a recent survey of mobile phone users.

Mobile News reports that virtual networks Virgin Mobile and Tesco Mobile outperformed their network partners in a recent customer satisfaction survey carried out by research firm YouGov for price comparison website uSwitch.

Broadband and fixed-line telephone provider TalkTalk – once part of The Carphone Warehouse – is preparing to launch its own mobile phone service on the Vodafone network. It's expected to offer 'pay monthly' voice and mobile broadband tariffs to its customers from the autumn.