Ello Mobile

Belgium sees the launch of a new mobile network today: "Ello Mobile". Sounds rather unexciting news, if it weren't for the fact that this network comes with a bit of a twist:

The network functions as a non-profit organisation, which means that 100% of the profit they make on your calls or text messages, goes to Environmental and Humanitarian Aid Projects. It's an entirely online-based service, so all the admin (top-up, costumer service,...) takes places on the web. Their call- and text-rates are competitive and the mobile traffic occurs through the BASE network, so there should be no issues with coverage.

While the downsides might be that it is a recent start-up company (bringing along the inevitable teething problems) and that there are no specific price-plans (there is only one standard rate price plan), it is worth considering a changeover. If I have to pay for my mobile phone communication anyway, I would much rather know that the money I have spent, goes to cover the most basic operating costs only and that any profit the company makes goes entirely into Aid Projects that I get to choose, rather than into the pockets of some corporate holding.

It's a very clever concept. You can find the details of their proposed businessplan on their website. The company is launched today and aims to get 100,000 costumers within the next 36 months. The company's profits will then have amounted to 13 million euros, which will go entirely to Aid projects.

I signed up first thing this morning. Do me a favour, if you're a Belgian network user... just have a look at their site. There's no point "waiting" for the service to develop further. It needs subscribers now to develop properly. So just get yourself a SIM card (even if you don't use it as your main contact number) and get texting. The company deserves a chance. The world could do with a few more non-profit concepts like this one.