Branson calls in to launch phone brand

Sir Richard Branson made a whistle-stop visit to Belfast today to launch his Virgin Mobile telephone brand in the North.

Of special interest to people in the province is what the company claims to be the lowest call rate to the Irish Republic for pre-paid or non-contract phones - 15p a minute from anywhere in the UK.

There will also be a significant reduction on many rates for Virgin users calling back into the UK from the Irish Republic.

Virgin, which uses the One2One network of masts - itself launched in Northern Ireland earlier this week - claims it will cover 98% of the Norths' population - in line with existing mobile providers.

Sir Richard, whose company has picked up nearly one million customers since launching in Britain in November 1999 in a 50-50 joint venture with One2One, said he was looking to expand mobile phone usage in the North.

A recent Oftel report said the province had the greatest potential for mobile phone growth in the UK and Sir Richard said he wanted his share of the growth.

‘‘Only about 50-55% have a mobile at the moment and I suspect that can be pushed up to 75-80% in Northern Ireland. We would be looking to get our fair share of that,’’ he said at a news conference. .

‘‘Plus we would like to see people who are currently buying from the other operators, when they are able to divorce, to switch over.

‘‘I think a lot of people will switch over,’’ he added.

Virgin Mobile goes live in Northern Ireland on April 12.