A BUDGET mobile provider that suddenly collapsed six years ago is gearing up for a shock comeback and promising a huge deal for those who sign up.
The brand disappeared from the market in early 2019 after going bust, leaving around 15,000 customers high and dry as services were disrupted almost overnight.
Now TPO, which is short for The People’s Operator, has quietly sprung back to life online and appears to be preparing a full UK relaunch, despite the controversy that surrounded its collapse.
The revived business looks to be backed by telecoms firm Uplands Mobiles and is pitching itself as an ethical network with a green twist.
The company claims it will hand cash to customers who recycle old phones and gadgets, in a bid to cut down electronic waste.
It also promises to donate 10 per cent of profits to “causes you care about”, reviving the mission it originally pushed when it first launched more than a decade ago.
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The new website has been live for months but recently added a sign-up waiting list.
A social media teaser bragged: “Our wait list is now live. Join today and be first to experience the new TPO eSIM with an amazing founder deal, transparent values, and connectivity that does good.”
At launch, the company appears to be promoting just one plan, an eSIM offering unlimited calls, texts and data for £15 a month on a rolling 30-day contract.
A so-called “transparent fair usage” rule is mentioned, which TPO insists will only apply to “extreme misuse”.
There is still no confirmation which mobile network is carrying TPO’s signal this time round.
The firm refers to “networks” in plural, hinting at a possible roaming-style setup designed to keep users connected wherever they go.
What is an eSIM?
A SIM card is basically a small identification chip that lets you connect your mobile phone to your cellular network, letting you send texts, make calls, and access 3G, 4G and 5G internet.
You can swap the SIM card between phones to transfer your mobile access.
An eSIM is exactly the same, but it’s electronic rather than physical – so you can’t lose it.
It’s a digital SIM that lets you activate your mobile data plane without needing a physical card.
Most phones support one SIM card – and sometimes two – but you could store many eSIMs on a single phone.
You can transfer eSIMS between phones (like when you upgrade).
And you can convert physical SIM cards to eSIM cards too.
How to find a cheap SIM deal
To bag the best value, start by looking at SIM-only deals.
These are almost always cheaper than phone contracts because you’re not paying extra each month for a handset.
If you’re happy with the phone you’ve already got, switching to SIM-only once your current deal ends can make a big difference to your monthly bills.
You’ll also need to decide how long you want to commit for. A 30-day rolling contract gives you full flexibility to switch or cancel whenever you like.
These short contracts are usually offered by smaller, budget-friendly networks such as giffgaff, SMARTY and Lebara.
If you’re happy to stay put for longer, a 12-, 18- or even 24-month contract can work out cheaper overall, with major networks like Vodafone and O2 often offering the best monthly prices for longer commitments.
It’s also worth comparing networks based on what matters most to you.
EE is often rated the best for fast speeds and strong coverage across the UK. If you regularly call abroad, Lebara includes international minutes with many of its SIM deals.
For unlimited data, networks like Three, O2, Vodafone and SMARTY have a wide range of options.
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And if you’re simply after the lowest possible price, low-cost providers such as Lycamobile and others found on comparison sites frequently run some of the cheapest offers on the market.
Meanwhile, Vodaphone has dropped a standout Black Friday SIM only deal this week.
