Phones4U to sell broadband access through third-parties

Phones4U is expected to sell third-party broadband packages alongside mobile phones in its stores.

The company is the UK’s second biggest mobile phone retailer behind Carphone Warehouse, which launched its own "free" broadband service last year.

Phones4U abandoned its foray into fixed-line telecoms last year when it sold its Homecall arm to Pipex Communications after running up heavy losses.

It has sold Pipex broadband in its stores since completing the deal in August but has otherwise relied on the sale of mobile phones. However, sources claim Phones4U is considering offering broadband services from the likes of Orange and Vodafone to complement its phone deals.

The company’s marketing director Jim Slater says: "Our core focus is on mobile. We will continue to deliver high quality customers to our network partners via our consultative sales approach and will continue to review where we can add value in the broadband and fixed-line markets."

Orange and Vodafone both offer broadband packages alongside their mobile deals, while O2 is also looking at the fixed-line market after buying broadband provider Be.