Dublin: Supermarket giant Lidl is entering Ireland’s mobile telecommunications market with the launch of Lidl Connect, offering the first 100,000 customers a monthly mobile plan at a special lifetime rate of €8.99.
The service is due to launch on October 5, marking Lidl’s entry into the Irish mobile market through a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) arrangement.
Lidl Connect is being launched in partnership with global connectivity provider 1GLOBAL and will be available through the Lidl Plus app. Lidl’s existing terms confirm that 1GLOBAL will provide the mobile connectivity service, including voice, SMS and data.
€8.99 lifetime offer
Lidl said the first 100,000 customers who sign up by December 31 will be able to access the promotional rate of €8.99 per month for life.
The monthly plan can be cancelled at any time. The €8.99 offer is available once per Lidl Plus account.
Customers who want additional SIM cards can add up to three extra lines at €12.99 per month per card.
What Lidl Connect offers
The new service will provide unlimited calls and text messages to Irish and UK networks, together with unlimited 5G data in Ireland.
Customers will also receive 50GB of roaming data for use in the EU and UK, as well as 100 minutes of international calls to selected countries. Lidl said details of the countries covered by the international-call allowance will be announced separately.
Customers will be able to sign up through the Lidl Plus app and choose between a digital eSIM and a physical SIM card.
A physical SIM will be available in Lidl stores for 99 cents.
Lidl’s existing Lidl Plus terms confirm that customers can retain their existing mobile number by requesting to port it to the 1GLOBAL network.
Expanding the Lidl Plus platform
The launch of Lidl Connect forms part of Lidl’s wider plans to expand its loyalty programme into a broader digital platform.
The retailer has already incorporated a number of additional services into its customer offering, including parcel collection facilities, pay-as-you-go car and van rental services and deposit-return machines.
Lidl is now adding mobile connectivity to that ecosystem, allowing customers to manage their mobile service through the same app they use for the supermarket’s loyalty programme.
Lidl: Focus on convenience and value
Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland chief executive Robert Ryan said Ireland had been selected as the first market for Lidl Connect.
The company said the service had been designed around customers seeking mobile services that are simple, flexible and offer value.
Customers will be able to purchase a physical SIM in Lidl stores or activate an eSIM digitally from home.
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