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BT set to return to the mobile world this week

BT will reportedly return to the mobile market this week, with a bunch of new deals offering existing customers a chance to add mobile to their home phone and broadband package.

An insider told the Financial Times that BT plans to use the existing wholesale deal for network usage struck with EE before the company’s proposed takeover was launched, to deliver “competitive” services to existing customers and newcomers alike. However, the company will reportedly target existing subscribers for the lion’s share of its upcoming deals.

BT’s 4G price plan offerings will apparently undercut the leading market names like O2 and EE. But users looking to pick up a new subsidised device will likely have to look elsewhere, as BT is expected to offer SIM-only deals – at least for the time being.

Ultimately, it’s believed that BT would like to have users subscribed to all of its available services. By offering discounted Wi-Fi, mobile, home phone and broadband bundles, similar to those offered by Virgin Media and TalkTalk, BT will likely try and rope customers into signing up for the whole shebang rather than just one part.

However, Sky is also planning to join the mobile party by launching its own MVNO network in the coming months, powered by O2 – which itself is currently subject to a takeover by Three owner Hutchison Whampoa.

It remains to be seen whether the decrease in competition in the mobile market will result in anything beneficial for consumers. Ofcom’s decision on whether to sign off BT’s acquisition, or indeed Hutchison Whampoa’s, will depend largely on whether it’s satisfied that the general public won’t suffer as a direct result.

Would you be happy to throw you mobile lot in with BT and only have one bill for all services? Let us know in the comments below.

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