It was said in this column that we thought that there was more than meets the eye with the goings on with Unique Distribution, now 3 Network according to reports have dumped Unique.  In addition to which loyal staff that carried on now has to basically fight to get their pay, it now seems that Unique are ripe for take over but then again who would want it.

As we all know the global program Skype is used worldwide and now a beta version for global use is in the offering.  Already there are Skype enabled handsets especially on 3 Network, but the question is will Skype increase its technology to cope with what could be a dramatic boost in Skype calls.

For anyone who has Skype on their PC they will know that currently 10,336,819 people are online at any given time, with mobiles now coming in will their infrastructure take all those extra calls, in fact what plans do Skype have to enhance the systems to cope with the potential traffic?

With the launch of the Ofcoms new General Condition things in the industry should certainly improve, and we have already noticed that some sites like E2save which failed to abide by the voluntary code for the last 7 odd months are now starting to comply, this can only benefit the consumer who will at last have proper information in order to comply with cashback requirements.  The General Condition will also benefit the dealers, because as consumer confidence grows knowing that Ofcom are keeping an eye on dealers and operators then we should see a re build of the trust that has been lost over the years.  The code have been welcomed by dealers who with the IMPDA gave a voice for the first time in the UK and many dealers are now hoping that with Ofcom a more level playing field will emerge as everyone will have to conform to the code or risk losing the ability to sell and connect to Mobile Network Operators.

The dispatches program on mobiles was an eye opener for many, but it did not do the networks any favours in their reputation, when it seems that they did not want to comment or talk to a reporter on issues, especially when it’s the customer that pays their wages and gives them their profits.  Only T-Mobile gave a reply, which at least showed that they would respond.  But what of the other networks, the reported attempting to ask questions got fobbed off, and no others made a comment.  This was a bad show by the networks, which should at least have the decency to respond if only to put their point of view.  The reaction by the networks will not now endear them to the consumer, and the consumer may wish to deal in future direct with the independents rather than the network directly, so in one respect they may have done us all a favour.

The IMPDA will again be talking to Ofcom on other issues shortly, which will go further still to change the way the industry operates, and of course it’s the dealers who will have a voice again in decision making.

It is now more than ever important for all mobile phone retailers to step up and join the IMPDA which of course is still free membership, to enable us to hear their views and comments, and for them to their say in the changing face of our industry.

It really does make you wonder if the Mobile Network Operators would really like to lose the 60% of connections that dealers bring in for them year in and out, when they treat their own dealers with the way they do, and have little regard for the impact on their business, and do everything they can to frustrate dealer/consumer confidence and service.  You may ask why we make such a statement, well when we saw what was put out by O2 to dealers it does make you wonder.  O2 put out through its distributors the following:-

XXXXXXXXXX (distributor) would like to advise that we can not process upgrades for O2 Online customers.

An O2 Online customer is someone who receives their monthly bill online rather than a paper bill.

If an O2 online customer wishes to upgrade they must go direct to O2

The dealer can get the customer in the first place, look after them, keep them happy, and have regular contact with them building a relationship but when it comes to upgrade the customer O2 bars the dealer from doing so and basically pinches them from the dealer, all because the customer wants to get their monthly bill online as opposed to having it in the post.

If that was not enough, now T-Mobile can do upgrades 3 months before end of contract, Hooray say dealers, but wait look at the words T-Mobile can do upgrades.  Oh Yes yet another kick for dealers as it does not apply to them only T-Mobile.  So again it means that dealers who have obtained the customer, looked after them, cannot upgrade them early.  Interesting was the fact that they would not comment on if this was available direct. So have we got one rule for one and a rule for others? Now with two networks going against their own dealers, how many more, lets face it, if that’s not anti competitive practice I don’t know what is

If anything it just shows that dealers need to unite together, they did over cashback and got change written into the Ofcom report the voice of the dealer was heard.  Now more than ever dealers need to join the IMPDA and give support to push for change and a level playing field.

It is amazing what comes out and the secrecy in the industry.  At a select committee hearing Orange stated that it gave £2.5 million towards Ofcom’s running costs, yet when Roger Godsiff asked Ofcom what contributions others gave he was refused the information.  Now in a U turn In a letter to Roger Godsiff MP, Ofcom boss Ed Richards revealed that the total amount paid by O2, 3, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile to Ofcom for 2006-2007 was £10,082,764.

What a shame it is that the networks have remained silent and will not answer our emails and call for a meeting with them, despite MP Richard Benyon stating that we should have a meeting as a matter of urgency, they ignore him as well. (Richard please take note).   Dealers have a lot to give to improve the industry, and want to help the Mobile Network Operators in making the industry better for all including the consumer. 

It seems that we will now have to reluctantly approach Ofcom to arrange this, which is a shame, because it does show the Mobile Network Operators in a bad light to everyone, that they will not talk to the very people that bring them their customers, there is still time should any network wish to contact us, we would be pleased to hear from them.

The IMPDA will shortly be writing to all UK dealers, telling them of the IMPDA and the advantages and incentives available in becoming a member, so if you get a letter through the post take time to read it, it could be to your advantage as a business.

The IMPDA 2008 awards nominations will begin soon, last year in our first year three awards were made, but this year their will be more categories, further details will be in next months edition, so look out for the details.

Things are certainly looking good for the IMPDA and for UK dealers, following meetings and the consultation document release, the IMPDA has been asked again to talk with Ofcom prior to their statement on the final document.   We are gathering further information from members and dealers and will be having further talks shortly.

And despite emails, published telephone numbers, offers in the press and TV and radio, the mighty Network Operators seem frightened to talk with us, as they have not even had the courtesy to reply let alone call us.  We just hope that Richard Benyon MP for Newbury, takes this on board, as he called for an urgent meeting between Networks and ourselves to discuss issues, well we have tried time and again, but the Networks have failed to respond, so if they are not in touch this week, then we will be taking the matter up with Ofcom themselves, which is something we did not want to do.

Mfonex Ltd will be launching their MVNO OPAL MOBILE this month on T-Mobile, with consumer and Business plans.  The Gem range of plans will be Onyx and Peal for business and the plans for consumer are Topaz - Emerald - Ruby – Diamond, it is understood that a family plan will also be available.  Contract lengths will be Three and Six month in addition to the standard contract lengths for consumers.  Backed by investment from a billionaire, the new Opal Mobile packages and service will bring something fresh to the market, and dealers.  Further details of the plans will be released later this month.

The IMPDA is asking all dealers to send either by email or fax examples of where they have been clawed back by the MNO’s and where the customer has still be retained by the MNO.  This could be a downgrade decided by the MNO and not the dealer, or a late paying customer etc.  We are also interested to hear from dealers who have had suspect fraud notices on clawback.  Have you been given proof of such?  Have you asked for proof and been refused?  Please email us and let us know, as part of our investigation into clawbacks.

So now Dextra loses Vodafone a major network, coupled with being hit by a number of cashback dealers going under and the subsequent clawbacks from the networks, desite Dextra saying “it’s no big loss” the loss of any major network who pulls out is always going to be a major loss.  The question is will Dextra survive!.  Could Dextra now be in the firing line for a quick accusation by a larger company, or will we see the demise this year of Dextra

Sometime ago, we said that we thought that there would be a reduction in distributor numbers as well as dealers in the industry.  Well it looks like Unique distribution could be a casualty.  Started off by HMRC on its parent company IGB on VAT fraud, it looks like Unique may have suffered as a result.  It was a bit obvious really, to have staff locked out on the pretext of delay after delay in insurance cover for the building, then staff having to wait for wages, was to an extent a bit of a give away that they were in trouble. And now with Nemesis Technology filing for a winding up, it was only a matter of time really.  Of course the next question will be whose next.

With major contracts withdrawn from 20:20 and others hit by large claw backs on the cashback issue, it can only be a matter of time now before takeovers start to surface. The question of course is how is this going to effect dealers who have accounts, with their current distributor?

Another question that’s going to arise, is the Ofcom consultation document, will the Mobile Network Operators pass the enforcement onto distributors, if so are they able to cope with it, do they have the resources, at this time we think not, and if they have to carry this out who is going to foot the bill for implementation.  It also makes you think about the Mobile Network Operators themselves.  They say that the code was working, Ofcom disagreed and said not, well if the Mobile Network Operators could not police the voluntary code, then how are they going to guarantee they will do better if the general condition comes in, if they could not police the first code how are they going to police this one.

As all Mobile Network Operators signed up to the codes of practice, then we openly ask them here.  You all know that a number of big players have been in breach of the code, we have raised this time and again and it names some in our proposal document which was sent to you by registered post, so please explain to all dealers and the public why you have failed to carry out your obligations and spoken to these large retail outlets.  It is for this reason that the Mobile Network Operators credibility is being eroded, and why dealers and distributors have little faith in the networks.  You need to prove dealers and distributors can trust you, and that you play fair, to simply ignore this does our industry no good.

We have asked in our columns, on radio, and television, and email for a meeting with yourselves via the Mobile Broadband Group, yet you have stayed silent.  We all should be working together to improve the industry and to give better customer contact and care.  So we ask all Mobile Network Operators again to arrange a meeting with us soon.

The Impda welcomes the Ofcom proposal document, at approx 117 pages it will take a while for us to gain the views of members and other dealers.  However it has been noted that points raised and suggestions which dealers gave to Ofcom at the meeting in January have been incorporated into the document, in addition Ofcom has made reference to a dealer scheme and the use of an industry body to administer this.  This is just what the IMPDA proposal suggested in our document presented at the Palace of Westminster.

Those critics, who said that the IMPDA would never achieve anything, have been proved wrong.  Dealers have made a contribution to how the industry runs in the Ofcom document; the dealers have had a voice and have made their views known for the first time.  They have been listened to and it will not stop there, dealers now will continue to be able to give their suggestions and observations in the future, so in effect the IMPDA has achieved its goal of getting the dealers voice heard.

The next stage is to talk to the networks, and in this we have already written to the Mobile Broadband Group, inviting them to a meeting.  As yet they have not replied.  It has to be said that for the networks to ignore this invitation would only be self destructive, especially as this was called for by Richard Benyon MP for Newbury, who has a major Network Operator in his constituency.

If the Ofcom document in what ever final form it takes is going to work well, then the networks have to start talking with dealers and not through distributors, but directly. We would again ask the networks through the Mobile Broadband Group to contact us now urgently to arrange this meeting.  To ignore us would be a mistake and an affront to all those hard working dealers that bring those connections each day.  Dealers want to work with the networks to better the industry as we have said many times.  Now is the time to talk, and if this means we have to get Ofcom involved in order to do so then reluctantly we will.  So we once again ask the Mobile Broadband Group to contact us either via email or to  make life easier, if they cannot email us then please call us on 0844 884 9702.

If you are a dealer and would like to become a member of the IMPDA or just to get in touch to get advice, pass us information or stories, then we would be pleased to hear from you.  We are always happy to hear your  views or problems so we can take these up.  We are asking dealers to come and join the IMPDA and don’t forget membership at this time is free.  Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can sign up at www.impda.co.uk