Lidl Plans to Expand Its MVNO Network Across Its Markets

Supermarket chain Lidl is planning to expand its MVNO footprint to a potential 30 countries. The move would follow a five-year deal with 1Global, which will see the retailer’s parent company take a 9.9% stake in its technology partner.

In a joint statement, the pair announced an ambition to meet the need for easily accessible, flexible, and affordable connectivity without long-term contracts. Lidl already provides MVNO Lidl Connect in Germany using Vodafone’s network; in Switzerland, hosted on Salt Mobile; and in Austria on Drei’s infrastructure. All three services are advertised on their ease, price, and are prepaid.

Following its deal with 1Global, the Schwarz Group-owned retailer will enter partnerships with local mobile network operators in each of its target markets. The duo stated they are transforming the industry and expanding the overall telecommunications market, asserting that partner operators hosting the service would benefit from Lidl’s reach, growth, and higher utilisation.

Currently, 1Global has partnerships with operators in 12 countries but plans to expand this to over 30. It will supply the technical platform for the Lidl MVNO and will be its exclusive technology partner for the mobile service. The deal will also see the vendor develop for Schwarz Group’s cloud offering.

Lidl International EVP purchasing Julian Beer said that the partnership enables them to become active as an MVNO themselves. He added that, thanks to their reach of well over 12,000 stores and more than 100 million customers in the Lidl Plus loyalty app, they are creating an attractive platform for established telecommunications companies.