OVIVO Mobile was a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United Kingdom, using the Vodafone UK network as its carrier.[1] OVIVO was unique in the UK in offering a free (£0 monthly fee) advertising-funded mobile tariff, which was financed by showing an advert in the user's web browser. They charged a nominal fee to cover admin and initial SIM setup costs, returning a portion as user credit upon activation.[1]
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Dariush Zand (Founder, CEO) |
| Products | Mobile telecommunications |
| Website | http://www.ovivomobile.com |
OVIVO raised £414,000 in exchange for 25.48% equity via crowdfunding site Crowdcube.[2]
The service closed down on Wednesday, 19 March 2014 without prior notice.
The firm's Twitter and Facebook accounts were deactivated the same day, and email attempts were bounced back.[3]
There was a report that a dispute over network software led to the abrupt closure of the network.[4]
The Ovivo website posted a warning to visitors that the website would be shut down on 10 April.[5] The website and the ability to claim a PAC was taken down in June 2014.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Leslie Bunder (4 November 2013). "Ovivo proves you don't need to pay monthly mobile phone charges". Metro.
- ^ "OVIVO Mobile Communications Limited". CrowdCube.
- ^ Curtis, Sophie (20 March 2014). "Ovivo mobile network shuts down without warning". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
- ^ "Exclusive: Dispute with Cognatel led to Ovivo Mobile termination". Mobile News Online, Clark White Publications Ltd.
- ^ "OVIVO Mobile". Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ^ "OVIVO Mobile". Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2017.