Fixed-line phone and broadband provider Perlico has made its first foray into the mobile phone sector through a deal to resell packages for 3, the fourth player in the market.
The deal gives Perlico a low-cost opportunity to develop expertise in mobile business in advance of its declared plan to develop a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) platform, through which it would piggyback on the infrastructure of an established player.
For 3, owned by Hong Kong group Hutchison Whampoa, the arrangement provides access to a fixed line offering and the opportunity to develop "bundled" mobile and fixed line packages with Perlico.
Sources close to the company say it has in excess of 130,000 subscribers. Perlico chief operations officer Mark Cleary declined to specify a sales target for the offering with 3, which will be sold through its website and phone service.
The company is backed by packaging magnate Dr Michael Smurfit, who took part in a financing round late last year that valued the privately-held company at €55 million. Other shareholders include chief executive Iain MacDonald and businessmen Ged Pierse, Dr Jim Mountjoy and David Martin.
Asked whether Perlico was now likely to strike an MVNO deal with 3, Mr Cleary said: "We're keeping our options open . . . It certainly doesn't mean we're going to do an MVNO with 3 or anyone else." 3's head of business and new initiatives Damien Gallagher said the arrangement with Perlico will deliver "new cost-effective revenue streams" for both companies.
Perlico has indicated that its customer acquisition rate will bring its revenues to some €80 million this year.
