The goal is to launch the telecommunications service in up to 30 countries by the end of the year. For now, there is still no information on whether it will be available in Portugal.
The supermarket chain Lidl is preparing a ambitious entry into the mobile telecommunications sector. According to information provided by , the company intends to launch low-cost mobile plans in up to 30 countries this year, covering relevant markets such as the United Kingdom, United States, France and Spain.
The initiative results from a strategic agreement between the Schwarz Groupowner of Lidl, and the company 1GLOBAL. As part of the partnership, the German group acquired a 9.9% stake in 1GLOBAL, a company that already holds licenses and agreements in the telecommunications sector in 12 countries. This positioning will allow Lidl to operate as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), a model that does not require its own infrastructure.
The service must be made available via the Lidl Plus appwhich currently has more than 100 million users around the world. According to Julian Beer, responsible for Lidl Internacional, the objective is to offer a “hassle-free connectivity”, strengthening relationships with customers and integrating digital services into the brand’s ecosystem.
Although Lidl already operates as an MVNO in countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, this new phase represents a expansion on a significantly larger scale. The bet is part of a growing trend of companies outside the telecommunications sector that seek to explore this market as a form of loyalty.
Among the most recent examples are fintechs like Revolut, Klarna and N26which have been integrating mobile services into their offerings.
Portugal was not explicitly mentioned in the released plans. However, Lidl’s strong presence in the country, where it has operated since 1995, leaves open the possibility of future inclusion.
