TDC Dumps EasyMobile

COPENHAGEN -- TDC has changed its business strategy on easyMobile. With this, easyMobile in Germany will be renamed into callmobile and easyMobile UK is to be closed down. TDC – the Danish telecom operator – is the majority shareholder of Telmore International Holding A/S, the entity that owns easyMobile.

“We will further build on our success with the SIM only, no-frill concept in Germany. At the same time, we are withdrawing from the UK market, as the realised growth in the customer base does not live up to TDC’s original business plan expectations and as we do not believe that easyMobile UK has the potential to develop into a sizeable and profitable MVNO in the short term,” says Jesper Theill Eriksen, CEO of TDC Mobile In-ternational A/S.

Last Friday, the German mobile service provider Talkline acquired the remaining 20 per cent of the shares of easyMobile in Germany from TIH Invest. Talkline, which is a subsidiary of TDC, is in the process of renaming the company into callmobile. callmo-bile will without interruption deliver exactly the same services as previously delivered under the easyMobile brand.

"We were keen to take over all shares in the German easyMobile business, because it is showing a very solid development and the no-frills market in Germany is offering substantial potential. With the full take-over and the renaming into callmobile, it be-comes possible for us to benefit fully from the synergies that Talkline is able to provide due to its extensive knowledge and experience with the German market,” says Jesper Theill Eriksen.

easyMobile UK has today given its 80,000 UK customers a written notice, explaining that their agreements will be terminated in compliance with the Terms and Conditions, although customers can continue to use the service until 13th of December 2006. After this date, any outstanding prepaid balances will be refunded according to the Terms & Conditions. The staff has been given notice following the conclusion of a collective con-sultation procedure.

TDC A/S (Copenhagen: TDC)