According to foreign media reports, Europe's largest mobile phone retailer, Carphone Warehouse, launched the cheapest mobile phone, Alcatel OT-209, in the UK on Friday, priced at just 99 pence (approximately $1.60).
This is the cheapest phone ever sold by Carphone Warehouse and also the least expensive currently available in the UK market. In addition to the 99-pence phone purchase fee, users only need to top up their phone with £10 (approximately $16) to enjoy communication services.
The Alcatel OT-209 is a prepaid mobile phone. Carphone Warehouse founder and chairman Charles Dunstone believes that during this year's Christmas shopping peak season, the prepaid mobile phone market will experience explosive growth.
However, Dunstone also pointed out that such cheap phones, which are limited to voice calls and text messaging, will not significantly attract the attention of young people. Dunstone said: "Nowadays, if a phone cannot access Facebook, young people will say: I might as well buy a smartphone."