(Adds Dixons Carphone comment)
LONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Britain's BT said on
Friday its mobile network EE would not renew its contract with
retailer Dixons Carphone, and would instead focus on its
own online and retail channels.
"After more than 20 years of close partnership, we have
taken the hard decision to not renew our EE Mobile contract with
Dixons Carphone, and shift our focus and investment to growth in
our own stores and online channels," BT said in a statement.
"This has not been an easy decision to take and follows many
months of challenging discussions and negotiation."
A spokesman for Dixons Carphone said its contract with EE to
sell pre and post-pay plans would come to an end this month but
current customers would be unaffected.
"We are well underway with our strategy of moving to a new,
more flexible and transparent mobile offer that gives better
value to our customers, and this offer is set to launch early
next year," the spokesman said.
In April, Britain's O2 mobile network also cut ties with
Dixons Carphone after it failed to agree a partnership deal.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle, editing by Louise Heavens)
BT (BT.A)
