MVNO FreedomPop, which promises a free mobile service for subscribers, has launched in the UK.

The operator offers a free tariff through 3s network, consisting of 200 minutes, 200 texts and 200MB of data each month. If subscribers want more data they can engage with third-party offers, share unused allowance with friends – or, vitally, pay for it. Larger tariffs are available, along with added services such as a second phone, in exchange for a monthly fee.

This is the first time FreedomPop has been available outside of its home market of the US, where it launched in 2012, but it plans to expand to seven other countries within the next 12 months, and to more than 20 markets by 2017. In the US, the operator has seen 49 per cent of its subscribers paying for extra packages, and claims it only needs 30 per cent for its business model to work.

“The UK has had many mobile providers and services enter the market, but none of them offer a completely new business model enabling free service, guaranteed for life,” said Stephen Stokols, FreedomPop CEO and co-founder. “Similar to the US, FreedomPop will deliver unprecedented value to consumers with an easy-to-use, high-quality mobile service. We believe everyone should have access to mobile services, and we’re going to make that a reality in the UK.”