Olive to connect “thousands to 3”

Olive Communications expects to connect 1,000 customers per month to the 3 network via its own sales team and third parties.

Olive managing director Mark Geraghty (pictured) said he thought his business would connect 400-500 customers on 3 by the end of November, and expects this number to double when all of its business partners are set up and trading through Olive.

Olive is continuing to churn customers lost to T-Mobile after the network’s decision to axe it in June, which could eventually see Olive reclaim 15,000 customers.

The dealer channel, in general, appears to have suddenly thrown its weight behind 3 as O2’s revenue share scheme continues to aggravate. 3 has used disillusion with O2 well, it appears.

One dealer said: “O2’s attitude towards us has been disgraceful in the past few months, and 3 is paying well.”

Another said: “With so many people disillusioned with O2 right now, 3 is taking the opportunity to achieve some good acquisitions.”

One O2 direct dealer said: “When 3 launches its first BlackBerry in December, it will have a really suitable offering for all types of customer.”

3’s head of business Renato Bottini said:“The changes in the market place have played right into our hands. We are 40 per cent cheaper on some of our tariffs compared to the rest of market, and we pay well.”