Free Mobile launches service

Free Mobile has announced the prices of its new service, staying true to its promise of simple tariffs and to halve consumer bills. The company started signing up new customers on the morning of 10 January, effectively launching France's fourth mobile network. For customers new to Free, the unlimited package costs EUR 19.99 a month with no contract tie-in period, for unlimited calls in France, overseas French territories and 40 international destinations in Europe and the US. The subscription also includes unlimited SMS/MMS and internet with VoIP, Wi-Fi and 3G/3G+ up to 3 GB a month. The operator states that at this price point it is 2.5 times cheaper than the best price of any competitor. Free Mobile has also introduced a EUR 2 a month, no tie-in period contract for 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMS a month. Extra SMS cost EUR 0.05, compared to EUR 0.10 at Orange France and SFR, and EUR 0.09 at Bouygues Telecom. Free Mobile also revealed advantageous pricing for sister company Free's internet customers. The unlimited mobile plan costs EUR 15.99 rather than EUR 19.99 and the 60 min/60 SMS plan is free instead of EUR 2. These prices are reserved to the first 3 million customers. Free Mobile said it offers a range of the best mobile phones on the market and choice will continue to grow with BlackBerry handsets and services still to come. The iPhone 4S will start shipping on 27 January. The 16 GB version will cost EUR 1 for the first month, then EUR 19.99 a month over 36 months. The 8 GB model will cost EUR 1 plus EUR 15 a month over three years. Free Mobile will start taking iPhone 4S orders on 20 January.