O2 Launches Complete Broadband Experience

O2 today became the first established broadband player to offer customers high speed internet access inside the home and on the move with a combined home and mobile broadband package. It is also revolutionising the way people buy home broadband with the launch of O2 Home Broadband Takeaway. Whether customers are looking for convenient web access on the move or a high quality experience in the home, the combination of O2’s home and mobile broadband offerings creates a complementary service which will provide high quality, fast, convenient and value-for-money internet access regardless of location.

Broadband Home and Away

Customers that purchase O2 Mobile Broadband for £20 per month (which includes 3GB of data and unlimited Wi-Fi) will receive O2’s high quality Home Broadband standard package service for free for a year, benefiting from fast speeds, no download limits, free wireless router and free 24×7 UK-based customer service.

The joint offer is available for customers signing up to O2 Mobile Broadband between 1 August and 31 October 2008 who live within the O2 Home Broadband network – approximately 60% of the UK population. Customers wanting to upgrade to a higher speed package or not covered by O2’s broadband network will receive a £7.50 per month discount on their chosen plan for 12 months.

Both existing O2 Mobile and Home Broadband customers can also take advantage of this offer.

“Whether our customers are watching a video or playing a game online at home, or browsing the internet on their laptop while on the move, our combined Broadband package is the perfect combination to help them stay connected wherever they are,” said Sally Cowdry, marketing director, O2 UK.

Customers can purchase the combined broadband package in any O2 retail store or on the O2 website. For more information and the full terms of the offer, visit www.o2.co.uk/broadband.

O2 Home Broadband Takeaway

The launch of O2 Home Broadband Takeaway is a revolutionary way of selling home broadband services in retail stores and opens the way for O2 to make its high quality broadband service available through even more channels.

In a UK first, from 4th August customers can purchase the O2 Home Broadband Takeaway box for £30 in any O2 store. The package includes a wireless router and all the kit a customer will need to get started with O2 Home Broadband in just four simple steps, providing a quick and easy way to purchase broadband. The initial £30 cost of the box will be credited to customer’s first broadband bill. The O2 Home Broadband Takeaway box will also be sold through Carphone Warehouse from mid-August.

The O2 Home Broadband Takeaway service allows customers to set up broadband in their own time, convenient for people who want home broadband but do not have the time to wait around in-store or take time off work to sit at home and wait for their router to be delivered.

Sally Cowdry commented: “Customers told us that they wanted the flexibility to set up broadband in their own time. O2 Home Broadband Takeaway enables this, so they can take a tangible product home and benefit from an unparalleled buying experience for broadband in store.”

O2 Home Broadband Takeaway is only available for use with O2 Home Broadband and can not be used with the Mobile Broadband offer. For further information, visit www.o2.co.uk/broadband

-ends-

The Mobile/Home Broadband offer includes:

Mobile Broadband – £20 a month

Free USB modem on 18-month contract or £99.99 on a rolling 1-month contract
Connection speed of up to 3.6 mbps depending on location.
3GB monthly data allowance
Unlimited Wi-Fi every month*

24/7 support from a UK Call Centre

Home Broadband – free for 12 months

Up to 8meg standard package FREE for a year**

Unlimited downloads***
O2 wireless box included (wireless router) with automatic configuration
Free 24/7 UK based customer service
Free McAfee security service
No connection fee

The O2 Home Broadband Takeaway box will contain:

O2 Wireless box II

Set up CD
Quick start guide
Power supply
DSL cable
2 Broadband filters
Ethernet cable

Images available on request.

Notes to Editors:

*Unlimited access to The Cloud’s UK Wi-Fi hotspots, subject to fair usage policy
** Speed is dependant upon factors, including distance from the exchange
*** Fair usage policy applies

Terms and Conditions
Mobile Broadband: Subject to status, credit check, Direct Debit payment & 18-month minimum term or one month rolling contract. An equipment charge may apply on rolling contracts. Speeds subject to network coverage. UK only. Usage above 3GB is charged at 20p per MB. Usage whilst abroad is subject to additional charges. Excessive usage policy & terms apply.
Home Broadband: Free offering is for O2 Home Broadband Standard package only. All other O2 Home and Business Broadband Packages receive a £7.50/month discount. Subject to availability, BT line, Direct Debit & 12-month min term contract. Fair use policy applies. Speed varies depending on factors including distance from exchange. If you are not in our network area you may still be able to get O2 Home Broadband Access with a £7.50 discount from £10/month.
Discount offer: Discount available only when taken with an O2 Mobile Broadband contract at £20 per month and only continues to apply while you maintain your O2 Mobile Broadband subscription. The free or discounted home broadband offering will continue for 12 months after which you will automatically be charged the standard rate for the services. O2 Home Broadband Standard package and a range of other broadband products are available separately from £7.50/month. Offer ends 31.10.08. Customers must join O2 Home Broadband by 15.11.08. See http://www.o2.co.uk for full terms and details.

O2 Home Broadband Takeaway Eligibility
In order to join O2 Home Broadband Takeaway, customers must have the following:
• A BT landline
• A working and active UK mobile
• A computer running at least Windows XP, Windows Vista or Mac OSX
• Direct Debit details for monthly payment
• Checked that they are eligible to switch from their existing Broadband provider

In addition, customers should text their BT phone number to 61202 to find out what packages they are able to receive before they purchase the box. Standard O2 Home Broadband terms and conditions of service apply.

From O2 Press Release