3 offers "free calls forever" on £0 contract

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 15 Jun 2009 at 10:17

Mobile operator 3 is launching a £0 monthly contract with free instant messaging and Skype-to-Skype calls.

Customers will be able to leave the contract at any time with only a month's notice, although it does not include a handset.

Skype has been free on all 3 contract and Pay As You Go deals since 2006, but this is the first time it has been offered with no contract or minimum top-up amount.

3 will be hoping to claw back some profit from the loss-making offer with phone sales and extra charges. The operator recomends a handset like the INQ1 or the 3 Skypephone S2 - both of which it sells for £69.99 inc VAT.

Phone calls and data rates are also charged at considerably higher rates than on a standard contract. Standard calls are 20p per minute, while SMS messages are charged at 10p and data costs 30p per MB.

"For customers who are fearful of commitment, SIM Zero has minimal ties," said a 3 statement today. "Customers can try us out and if they don't love being with us, they can leave with just one month's notice."

SIM Zero will be available from 3 as of 17 June.