UK virtual mobile network Ovivo Mobile has closed, affecting what’s thought to be tens of thousands of customers.

The network has posted a message on its website that says “We are very sad to announce that for reasons beyond our control, OVIVO Mobile is closing down on the evening of Wednesday 19th March 2014.”

The UK has a new advertising-funded mobile phone network. It’s a virtual mobile network called Ovivo Mobile that’ll use the Vodafone network and has been developed through mobile virtual network aggregator Cognatel.

The SIM-only prepaid service will offer free monthly usage in exchange for targeted mobile advertising.

Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator Cognatel, which works with Vodafone in the UK, has created a new virtual mobile network for what’s described as the UK’s first customisable mini mobile phone.

CyCell will run the MVNO with a ‘white label’ credit card sized mobile handset that can be designed within days. Pre-programmed numbers can be linked to printed buttons on the phone, with all the call routing based within the network.

Fixed-line telecoms provider Alpha Telecom has announced the launch of a UK virtual mobile network called Alpha Mobile. It's a prepaid mobile service that's expected to be available from over 90,000 retail stores across the UK by the end the year.

Buying a £30 SIM from the MVNO will give customers what the company describes as 'unlimited calls' to landlines and/or mobiles in more than 75 countries.

Vodafone UK has announced a new partnership with a mobile virtual network aggregator. It's now working with Cognatel, a relatively young London-based MVNA.