Buy a mobile phone as you buy a Coke

Vodafone does not lack imagination and creativity, or sense or convenience. The “Quickphone” vending machines are for people who lose their phones and need to buy an emergency phone - the devices are fully charged and ready to use. Consumers can expect to pay 30 pounds (which includes 1 pound of credit) for these headsets. Vodafone apparently plans to expand this idea and implant vending machines around shopping centers, airports, and large public events such a music concerts.

"These will be popular with people who need a phone in an emergency, either because they have lost their phone or it has run out of battery - They are for people who know what they want and who don't want to go through the rigmarole of talking to a sales assistant." “The kiosks will sell three sorts of Vodafone phones, with the range changed every month to take into account the latest models and trends.” Souce: Daily Telegraph

The idea certainly seems interesting (I have been through this situation once – and the result, buying a cheap Alcatel that was never used afterwards) – and in particular very convenient to mobile manufactures further push their entry-level headsets. It is not difficult to figure out that many people will get a second mobile phone “just in case”.

Guess who will "subsidize" Quickphone?