A new mobile phone operator, Roaming Network, will shortly launch a world premier in mobile technology with the first ever dual-SIM phone, which enables customers to use one operator SIM for local calls and the other, Roaming Network SIM, for calling abroad.
The company says it can reduce a company”s roaming call costs abroad by 70% through diverting all incoming calls from the UK SIM to a Roaming Network SIM when leaving the country and using the Roaming Network card for outgoing calls made outside the UK.
Speaking to ABTN, marketing director, Steve Gardiner, explained that business travellers were the UK target audience: ”We are establishing agreements with a few select TMCs [travel management companies] who can offer our solution as an additional service to clients. It”s a B2B proposition that will not be available to the general public.”
Once an arrangement has been made with a TMC it is given an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) licence, which gives it power to brand, market and integrate the service as its own.
The devices are equipped with a number of services to benefit the business traveller in addition to regular mobile features such as internet, email, camera and MP3 functionality. A concierge service allows the traveller direct access to the TMC, with mobile maps, local numbers, a currency converter and online interpreter also available.
Another benefit of the service for corporations, Gardiner explained, is that there is no need to change the company mobile phone account as the device accommodates a regular UK operator with Roaming Network”s service. Customers retain their regular phone number and tariff for all UK calls and are billed separately for Roaming Network charges.
As a product designed exclusively for business use through partnerships with TMCs, Roaming Network offers a fully integrated billing solution that locks into expense management systems and automates the process.
Roaming Network is also establishing an international presence, although in other countries the company will partner with local mobile operators themselves rather than TMCs and offering Roaming Network”s service in addition to their regular tariffs.