Virgin and One 2 One in joint venture

Virgin has teamed up with One 2 One to sell next generation mobile phones.

As reported in VNU Newswire last month, (see Newswire 19 July) Richard Branson has been looking at obtaining a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UTMS) as a way of extending his Virgin empire’s ecommerce strategy.

The deal will link customers to a whole host of Virgin services through the mobile network, allowing them to buy air and rail tickets, music, financial services and books.

The two companies have invested more than £100 million to form a 50-50 joint venture, Virgin Mobile, which will sell phones online, in existing Virgin stores and in new Virgin Mobile shops. In addition, several of the Virgin owned Our Price stores will be converted into Virgin Mobile branded outlets.