MyMobile: Rollover data may save £50
SKY plans to shake up the world of mobile phones with a service allowing customers to “roll over” unused data for up to three years.
Those with the new Sky Mobile network will also be able to switch or “mix” plans each month.
UK consumers use on average, less than half of the mobile data they buy every month — wasting an estimated £2billion each year, Sky research says. For a typical monthly contract, that’s more than £50 a year.
Along with being able to roll over their unused data, Sky customers who also have Sky TV will get free calls and texts. Each customer can get five Sim cards with unlimited calls and texts. The data from those five Sims can be shared between them.
Those with Sky TV also benefit from a “sync” feature allowing them to watch shows on their phone while out and about.
Stephen van Rooyen, Sky UK boss, said: “We felt it was time to shake up the mobile market and give customers a new way to manage their mobile plan — something no one else is offering.”
Pre-registrations for Sky Mobile have already reached more than 46,000. Register at sky.com/getmobile.
Sales for Sky Mobile Sim-only contracts start in mid-December to existing customers and those who pre-registered. It will be rolled out further in the new year.
John Whittle, ex-Phones4U exec and boss of Unshackled.com, said: “This launch will stimulate competition, which is only a good thing for the UK consumer.
“The headline-grabbing feature of how customers can roll data allowances is an announcement we particularly like.” But he added: “There are much more competitively priced Sim tariffs out there and Sky will still require a customer to commit to 12 months.”
Carphone Warehouse offers cheap deals on its ID network, plus GiffGaff has good deals and more flexibility. But none have the data rollover.
If you are thinking of getting the service, go into a phone comparison site.
Later in 2017, Sky Mobile will expand its offering to include the best handsets from Apple and Samsung, plus other providers to be confirmed. Sky Mobile comes with three data plans — 1GB for £10 a month, 3GB for £15 a month and 5GB for £20 a month.
Non-Sky TV customers can add unlimited calls and texts for £10 a month, or buy calls and texts on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Sky Mobile says it will be the only monthly provider that gives customers this flexibility.
Anyone who wants to update their package during the month can do so online.
Ewan Taylor-Gibson, from the comparison site uSwitch.com, said: “The fact Sky’s letting people roll over data and store it for three years is unique and compelling.”
Sky's package
ROLL: You can roll over any unused data into your online “piggybank” each month to use when you need to for up to three years.
MIX: As a customer you can create a plan that’s right for you, which you can then change every month.
SAVE: Sky TV subscribers don’t have to pay for UK calls or texts with mobile data plans.
SYNC: Sky TV users can create playlists of favourite shows, synced from the Sky box at home, to watch wherever they are.
EE go roaming further
PHONE giant EE has expanded its data roaming add-ons with 11 extra countries.
Customers will get 500MB of data each day of their trip with the firm’s Travel Data Pass.
It replaces Euro Data Pass and includes the US, Australia, China, New Zealand, India, UAE, Canada and Thailand.
It costs £3 a day for travels in Europe, £4 for the US or Canada and £5 a day for other countries.
If you have already opted in to the Euro Data Pass you will be automatically transferred. And If you’ve yet to sign up, you can opt in by texting the word TRAVEL to 150.
Robot is hot on delivery
TAKEAWAYS will soon be delivered by self-driving robots after a successful trial by Just Eat.
The service, which links hungry folk to restaurants, arranged the first live drop-off to a customer in Greenwich, South-East London.
Resident Simone ordered from Turkish restaurant Taksim Meze. A little while later Simone received a text saying the robot was at the door. The message also contained a unique link to open the hold storing the food.
Simone said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the door. It was like something out of a movie.”
Just Eat teamed up with Starship Technologies, which designed and built the six-wheel pavement droid. There are plans to expand the programme next year.