Just Mobile

Just Mobile (stylised as JUST Mobile) was a prepay mobile virtual network operator in the Republic of Ireland which operated on the Vodafone Ireland network. It was founded in October 2010 and ceased operating 10 months later, in August 2011.^[1]

History

Founded by Donal Lawless and Stuart Kelly, the company was funded by Powerscourt Capital Partners, an investment firm led by Irish entrepreneur Seán Melly. Melly was also chairman of Just Mobile. The company was incorporated in 2007, and launched to customers in October 2010. Upon launch, it created approximately 25 jobs, with plans to create up to 70 jobs in its first 2 years.^[2] Under its Just Cause scheme, the company made charitable donations of 3% of the value of every top-up^[3] and 1c for every minute of calls made.^[4]

Closure

In March 2011, advertising agency Owens DBB issued a petition to have Just Mobile wound up due to alleged non-payment of fees, leading to concerns about the company's creditworthiness.^[5] Company accounts for the second half of 2010 showed losses of approximately €234,000. In August 2011, the company announced that it had failed to acquire €2 million in funding required to continue operating. On 2nd August 2011, the Commission for Communications Regulation announced that Just Mobile would cease operations gradually, until final closure on 19th August 2011.^[6] To remain viable, the company would have required approximately 30,000 customers by the 2nd quarter of 2012; however, at the time of closure it had only "a few thousand" customers and employed just 5 people directly.

References