LONDON-U.K. mobile operator MmO2 has announced the launch of an online business mobile shop. Targeted primarily at small and medium-sized businesses wanting to manage their mobile accounts online, it will offer a range of services costing from $18.80 per month. The company is hoping to replicate the success of its online consumer business, which has attracted more than 600,000 customers in the two years since its launch.
O2 U.K. is hoping that this latest venture will allow it to tap into the massive audience of small businesses, which make up 99 percent of total businesses in the United Kingdom. The operator will also offer business customers the opportunity to bundle in data services, such as text and WAP, to increase revenue.
Online Business Shop provides 24-hour access to mobile accounts, and according to Laurence Alexander, O2 online chief executive officer, it allows customers to find out exactly what they are spending on mobile services.
There are currently two offerings available, both costing $18.80 per month. The first of these offers 1,000 minutes of voice within calling cycles, for example between three or four employees using the O2 network, while the other is aimed at a single user or business owner, and provides 100 minutes of calls across all mobile networks.
Also on offer via Online Business Shop is a range of handsets, as well as a subscriber identity module-only service for customers who want to continue using their existing handsets.
The new online business shop comes as part of O2’s overall strategy to target the small business market. Last week, the operator announced a new e-mail-on-the-move service on Blackberry devices, specifically designed for small business users.
