Sainsbury’s announces its mobile network will close on January 15 next year

Some bad news for UK consumers today as Sainsbury’s announced the closure of its Mobile network, saying that the service shut down on January 15th next year in a statement posted on its website. Mobile by Sainsbury’s operates as an MVNO, piggybacking off the Vodafone network, and it’s thought that negotiations between the supermarket chain and Vodafone broke down for some reason, leading to the announcement. It has previously been rumoured that Vodafone intends on exiting the MVNO market altogether.

While it’s never a pleasant experience shopping around for a good deal, the good news is that Mobile by Sainsbury’s customers have 3 months to decide which network to move to, with Sainsbury’s stating it will make the process as pain-free as possible.

• Pay As You Go customers can top up until November 14, in-store and online, continuing to use credit up until January 15, 2016
• Pay Monthly SIM Only service will continue to work normally until Jan 15th.

There are also reports of customers receiving a notification text from Sainsbury’s, along with a £10 Nectar card credit and 6 months worth of double loyalty card points for food and fuel. If you haven’t received this text, it could be worth your while getting in touch with customer services.

If you are affected by the announcement, which network will you be switching to?

Source: Mobile by Sainsbury’s

Full Statement:

Important news for our Mobile by Sainsbury’s customers

We’re sorry to let you know that from 15th January 2016, the Mobile by Sainsbury’s phone service will no longer be available.

We’ve loved having you as a customer, and we know that changing your service provider can be a hassle. So, we want to make the process as straightforward as possible.

• Firstly, we’re telling you now so that you have plenty of time to decide what to do.
• If you are a Pay As You Go customer, you are still able to top up until 14th November, in store and online. You can continue to use any remaining credit until 15th January 2016.
• If you are a Pay Monthly SIM Only customer, your service will continue to work as normal until 15th January 2016.

You don’t need to do anything for the time being, but please remember to use any outstanding credit before 15th January, when the service will stop working.

Once again, we’re sorry – and want you to know that we’re here to help. Please click here for a useful page of FAQs, or if you’d prefer to talk to us please give us a call on 0333 313 1150.

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