Released: 01/11/2007
RNS Number:7800G
Spiritel PLC
01 November 2007
For release at 0700, 1 November 2007
SPIRITEL plc
("Spiritel" or "the Group")
EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT WITH VIRGIN MOBILE TO PARTNER SPIRITEL'S 118 918 DIRECTORIES
SERVICE
LARGEST AMOUNT PER CALL TO BE DONATED TO CHARITY
Spiritel plc (AIM: STP), the telecommunications services business, announces an
exclusive agreement with Virgin Mobile to launch a new directory enquiries
("DQ") service. The service is to be marketed to Virgin Mobile's four million
subscribers and other DQ users, and from every call made 20 pence will go to
charity. The service will compete with the UK's other major directory enquiry
numbers and offer the same service, but crucially customers will be making a
substantial donation to Virgin Mobile's selected children's charities from each
call. At 20p from every call, the charitable donation is the largest from any
118 service in the UK.
Using Spiritel's UK-based managed DQ service, Virgin Mobile has launched the new
service as part of its Social Investment Programme. Virgin Mobile will charge
users the same amount or less for calls to most other 118 numbers and will not
take any additional revenue share itself from the calls but will donate 20 pence
per call to its selected charities: Kid's Company and Foyer. The new service is
launched today and can be called from any mobile or fixed line provider where
the network operator allows access.
The potential financial benefits to Virgin Mobile's nominated charities from the
new service are striking. The UK directory enquiry market is currently estimated
to be worth almost £200 million per year, the equivalent of 360 million calls.
Virgin Mobile currently has four million customers to market this service
directly to - but fixed line and non Virgin Mobile customers are also able to
use the service and thereby donate to charity at the same time.
Commenting on the launch Alastair Mills, CEO of Spiritel said: "We are delighted
to have been chosen by Virgin Mobile to host their directory enquiry service and
contribute towards their Social Investment Programme. The new service will
provide the opportunity for consumers to make a significant contribution to good
causes without spending any more money. 118 918 is cheaper than the service
provided by The Number and we hope that Virgin Mobile's new service gains
significant market share. The partnership also builds on Spiritel's experience
in the provision of managed DQ services and demonstrates our ability to provide
innovative communications solutions for major UK service providers.
"It is an exciting partnership and we are looking forward to working closely
with Virgin Mobile to ensure this project is an immense success for everyone
involved."
Tim Dowling, Director of Consumer Proposition, Virgin Mobile added: "Kids
Company and Foyer are two incredible charities, offering invaluable support to
young people. Virgin Mobile is excited to be launching this new service provided
by Spiritel and we look forward to making a difference for young people this
Christmas and beyond."
For further information please visit www.spiritelplc.com or contact:
Spiritel plc Tavistock Communications
Alastair Mills Simon Hudson
Chief Executive Clemmie Carr
Tel: +44 20 7160 0100 Tel: +44 20 7920 3150
Note to Editors
Spiritel
Spiritel is a telecommunications group which seeks to take advantage of the
opportunities created by rapidly changing telecoms markets in the UK as the
migration to Internet Protocol (IP) based delivery accelerates. The Group is a
consolidator of the highly fragmented UK telecoms reseller market and aims to
build a substantial customer base and scale through selective acquisitions. We
are organised into two divisions, Spiritel Technologies - which focuses on our
infrastructure and IP products and services - and Spiritel Business which
provides our customer services.
Today, the Group offers a broad range of telecommunications services and
products to a customer base of small and medium sized enterprises and an
increasing number of larger national organisations. We are a leader in the
provision of new, but proven, Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions that are firmly
based on the old fashioned service values which run throughout the Group.
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile is the UK's largest mobile virtual network operator and uses
T-Mobile's network. Since its launch in November 1999, Virgin Mobile has
attracted more than four million customers. Virgin Mobile is part of Virgin
Media. The first company to be able to offer 'Quadplay' services to customers
comprising of landline, TV mobile and broadband.
The Charities
Kids Company is a London-based charity that offers practical, emotional and
educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people. This
Christmas, they are expecting around 800 kids to drop in for lunch on Christmas
Day and Virgin Mobile's customers donations will help to ensure they're ready to
cater a festive meal to remember. www.kidsco.org.uk
There are 135 UK Foyer centres which offer 10,000 young people who may be young
offenders, care leavers, refugees or at risk due to family breakdown, a chance
to get back on their feet through accommodation, job search, personal support
and motivation. Foyer will be launching various schemes to guarantee the young
people in their care throughout the festive season have a great and memorable
Christmas. www.foyer.net
- Ends -
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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