Toronto-based
Public Mobile launched its cell phone service in May 2010 and by the end of 2011, had approximately 200,000 customers, targeting the cost-conscious end of the mobile voice and data market. The still has those budget-wise customers in mind as this month it announced it would be expanding to provide two new services: music downloading and financial transaction services.
Unveiled last week,
Siren Music gives Public Mobile customers unlimited music downloads to their phones for a montly flat rate. (Currently the company offers only Android phones.) Participating music labels include major players Universal Music Canada, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. and Warner Music Canada, which will give customers a wide array of songs from which to choose—one million at launch, and about five million later this year.
Public Cash Services, meanwhile, provides financial transactions such as cheque cashing, and also offers a prepaid MasterCard. These services will "give customers the ability to make unlimited bill payments for just $5 per month and money transfers overseas at industry leading rates," stated CEO Alek Krstajic in a news release. These discount services are aimed at those who might not be the best candidates for a credit check, such as students and immigrants who haven't established a financial history in Canada, and are available at 37 locations.
The diversification comes as Public Mobile also
prepares to bid in the next wireless spectrum auction, in response to the increasing demand for smartphones and data services among its customers.
Writer: Hamutal Dotan
Source: Alek Krstajic, CEO, Public Mobile