TPO Launches in the USA

The People's Operator plc

("TPO," the "Company" or the "Group")

TPO Launches in the USA

The People's Operator (AIM: TPOP), the cause-based commercial mobile virtual network operator ("MVNO"), has today announced details of its launch into the US market, together with the full public release of its social network, the TPO Community (www.tpo.com). The US launch and the TPO Community are important strategic developments for TPO and are among key reasons for raising funds when the Company was admitted to the AIM Market in December 2014.

TPO is believed to be the world's first cause-based commercial MVNO with a strategy of customer acquisition through viral networking and online communities. There is a uniquely symbiotic relationship between the Group and its customers, based on the increased money distributed to causes along with the growth in TPO's profits. Using an innovative business model to create a global community whose mission is to change lives for the better, TPO will allow customers to donate 10% of their monthly mobile spend to a social cause of their choice; at no extra cost to them and without sacrificing good service. Ahead of today's US launch, TPO already has a number of cause partnerships agreed in the US, including Save the Children, WaterAid, Feeding America and World Wildlife Fund.

TPO will offer a range of competitive price options providing customers with excellent service on the latest range of devices, powered by Sprint's Nationwide 4G LTE Network. In the US, TPO offers both Pre-Paid "Goodness-to-Go" and Monthly "Unlimited Goodness" plans at a range of price points to match with each customer's mobile needs, such as the Unlimited Goodness 32 plan that offers unlimited talk and text plus 2GB of data for just $32 per month, without being locked into a contract. Customers are also able to switch to the mobile network service using their current unlocked device; or can choose to buy or lease one of the latest smartphones available from Apple, Samsung, LG and more.

Mark Epstein, CEO of The People's Operator, said: "The Group's business model is already proven with the early success we have enjoyed in the UK and today's launch of TPO in the US is a key milestone for the business. The US is not only an attractive market for us as one of the world's largest mobile phone markets, but is also a springboard for our planned global growth.

"In addition to making a difference for causes, we want to make sure we're delivering value to our customers too. It's important to us that we match a competitive and quality service with the mission to make a difference. TPO offers its customers competitive rates and we have a best-in-class customer service team, all based in the same country as the customers they help, to deliver a seamless, high-quality customer service experience."

Following an initial beta release as announced on 24 February 2015, TPO is also pleased to announce today the launch of its social network, the TPO Community (www.tpo.com); a global community platform that brings together social sharing and peoples' passion for supporting social causes. The TPO Community offers members, charities and other non-profit organisations a social network and online giving tool that is both easy to use and maximises fundraising opportunities for their cause; and combines it with social sharing to help continue the conversation.

Jimmy Wales, Chairman of TPO, commented: "With the expansion to the US, TPO's mobile service is only the beginning of the social good we will initiate and I am delighted that today we are also launching our social network, the TPO Community, where like-minded people can discuss their positive ideas as well as connect with and donate to causes that are most important to them. The TPO Community is open to everyone, whether or not they are a TPO mobile service customer, making it easy for them to learn more about the causes they care about."

Operations in the UK continue to progress in line with management expectations, and in May this year TPO announced that UK subscriber numbers had already reached 30,000, more than doubling since the beginning of the year.

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About The People's Operator

Headquartered in the UK, The People's Operator (TPO) is a mobile virtual network operator that was founded in 2012 on the principle that mobile could be used to change lives for the better. Customers with TPO not only get the best deals, high quality mobile service and great customer service - they can also direct 10% of their monthly mobile spend to the cause of their choice, at no extra cost to them. In addition, The TPO Foundation, a UK registered charity, will receive 25% of the UK trading profits generated by The People's Operator LLP.

The Group's strategy is to maintain a low fixed-cost base, small staff numbers and lower levels of advertising and marketing expenditure than its competitors which will enable the Group to offer customers a best-in-class service at competitive prices, whilst delivering attractive return to shareholders.

Under the direction of Jimmy Wales, the founder of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia and Chair of the TPO Board, TPO has developed an online community to expand the global network of mobile phone customers who share in the common belief of supporting causes. TPO has developed partnerships with community organisations and causes who promote TPO's products to their supporters. 

TPO was admitted to AIM of the London Stock Exchange in December 2014, and announced its intention to launch as a mobile virtual network operator in the USA in 2015.

TPO subscriber figures reached 30,000 in May 2015. For more information, please visit www.thepeoplesoperator.com.