A new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has launched in the Channel Islands, offering SIM-only plans combined with grocery discounts for members of a retail cooperative. The service, named Coop Mobile, is a joint venture between telecommunications provider Sure International and the member-owned Coop Channel Islands.
The Launch represents a strategic expansion for the retailer into digital services, following its introduction of travel eSIM products in the2025. Coop Mobile is now available to customers in Jersey, with plans to offer adjusted pricing for Guernsey to account for local tax differences.
Service Plans and Member Benefits
Coop Mobile is offering four rolling monthly plans. The entry-level plan provides 5GB of data with unlimited calls and texts across the Channel Islands, the UK, and Ireland for £13.50 per month. Higher tiers include 10GB for £16.50, 15GB for £19.95, and an unlimited data plan priced at £24.95. Customers who sign up before 30 April 2026 will receive a 25 percent discount for a period of up to 12 months.
A key feature for members is a linked discount on groceries. Members who connect their Coop account to the mobile service will receive a 10 percent discount voucher for a single grocery shop each month, redeemable in Coop stores. According to data from the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority, the average weekly grocery spend in Jersey is £112. Coop estimates this monthly voucher could save shoppers approximately £11 per visit.
Background on the Partner Organizations
Coop Channel Islands is a member-owned retail cooperative operating food stores, pharmacies, funeral services, and other community businesses across Jersey and Guernsey. Sure International is a telecommunications company serving the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and several international markets, formed from a merger between Sure International and Airtel.
David McGrath, Chief Marketing and Membership Officer at Coop Channel Islands, stated the operator was developed following customer research. That research indicated a clear demand among consumers for simplified pricing structures and greater flexibility in their mobile services.
Flexibility and Additional Offerings
Reflecting this demand for flexibility, all plans are offered on a one-month basis and can be changed or cancelled without penalty via a dedicated app or online account. The company will also sell data boosters in increments of 2GB, 5GB, and 10GB. International roaming is sold as a separate product rather than being bundled into the standard monthly tariffs.
Beyond SIM cards, Coop Mobile will sell new and refurbished handsets. The devices will be supplied by Grade Mobile, a company that provides graded refurbished smartphones and consumer electronics to retailers and operators. These devices will be available for purchase online and through in-store touchpoints, with trade-in options also offered to customers.
The service is currently operational in Jersey. The partners have indicated that pricing for Guernsey will be adjusted to reflect the specific tax regime in that jurisdiction, with availability expected to follow. This regional rollout is part of a broader strategy to integrate digital and community-focused services for the cooperative’s membership base.
Source: Mobile News CWP
