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The People's Operator launches in the UK -- a charitable MVNO for data haters

Jamie Rigg
Reviews Editor, UK
Updated ·4 min read
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Another mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has joined the fray in the UK today -- The People's Operator (TPO). The main hook of this entrant is relatively low calling and text costs, and with 25% of the company's profits going to its own charitable foundation, you know all that nattering is doing some good (you can also assign 10% of your monthly spend to a specific cause). You should get decent coverage piggybacking on EE's towers, and it's expected to share its new 4G network with TPO in the future. The MVNO doesn't really cater to those who like their data, however, as the current cost is a flat 12.5p per MB, and the pay-as-you-go bundles launching in December don't come much cheaper (£17.50 per month for a 500MB allowance). That may well put off smartphone users, as several other carriers like Three and giffgaff offer unlimited data at similar prices. Pay monthly contracts and handsets are coming soon, but at the moment, TPO is a PAYG, SIM-only provider. If the combination of cheap calls and charity has sparked your interest, head over to the source link to learn more.

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The People's Operator
"Mobile That Matters"
A New Breed of Mobile Operator Arrives in the UK


Launch of The People's Operator (TPO); a mobile phone operator that offers great mobile deals and lets customers support their favourite causes

London, UK – 19th November 2012: Launched today, The People's Operator (TPO) is a new UK mobile operator that combines great mobile deals, coverage and customer service with the ability to support charities, community groups and other good causes throughout the UK.
TPO matters because:

  • Customers get a great mobile deal including free calls and texts to anyone on the TPO network.

  • 25% of TPO's profits go to great causes.

Either

Customers can direct TPO to give 10% of their call, text and data spend to a charity, community group or other good cause of their choice.

Or

Organisations can receive 10% of call, text and data spend in respect of any customers that they sign up to TPO.

  • TPO really cares about its customers and their causes.

TPO is the UK's first commercial utility where 25% of profits go to great causes along with 10% of every customer's call, text and data spend.
TPO offers corporates a unique opportunity to fulfil their CSR commitments. Simply by switching to TPO, 10% of all call, text and data spend will get directed to their nominated cause.
TPO customers will be given the opportunity to receive updates via their mobile on how their money is being spent by the good causes that they have chosen to support.
TPO is a UK based company whose management and customer service teams are all based in London.
Charities, community groups and other good causes will receive grants from the TPO Foundation, an independent charity whose donations will have the ultimate effect of strengthening society and supporting local communities.

The three founding trustees of the Foundation are Sir Christopher Kelly who is currently the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and Chair of the King's Fund; Kevin Curley CBE the former Chief Executive of NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action), trustee of CFG (Charity Finance Group) and a member of the advisory council of the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations); and Andrew Rosenfeld former Chair of the NSPCC FULL STOP Campaign. Sir Christopher will be the Chair of trustees.

TPO is working with a range of different good causes including charities and community projects throughout the UK such as the NSPCC, the Trussell Trust, ChildLine, Islington Giving, Regenerate, and Claxton House. TPO anticipates a significant uptake in demand over the coming months from similar organisations throughout Britain and further announcements will be made in due course.

Andrew Rosenfeld, Chair and Co-founder of TPO said:
"The People's Operator represents a fundamental shift in the way commercial utilities support communities and causes. The more profit that is generated, the more we can pass on to deserving parts of society."
Mark Epstein, Vice-Chair and Co-founder of TPO said:
"TPO offers customers the opportunity to benefit from a great mobile deal while supporting their favourite causes, simply by using their mobiles as they do every day and not giving anything more from their own pocket."