Carte Wireless


 * This article is about the UK Carte Wireless, for European carriers, see Telecarte Mobile

Carte Wireless (legally Carte Mobility Wireless) (formerly Telecarte Mobile) is a mobile network operator in the United Kingdom owned by Carte Telecom. Carte Wireless has over 12 million customers through its mobile service.

Service
Carte Wireless currently offers two mobile phone packages; Pre-Pay and Post-Pay.

As with other similar plans, Pre-Pay mobile customers are given the option to top-up their phone via a swipe card, over the internet or via a credit card or debit card.

The Post-Pay service gives customers an option of 12, 18 or 24 month contracts. The contract come bundled with minutes and texts, but additional charges can be incurred for Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) and Mobile Data services.

Carte Wireless operates a GPRS, EDGE and 3G service and has recently finished the process of rolling out a HSDPA network. Carte's 2G network covers 99% of the UK population and has the largest integrated 3G/2.5G network in the UK, Carte Telecom claims it spends up to £1.8 million per day investing its network.

4G Network
Rumors of speculation that Carte Wireless was planning a 4G LTE network began in September, supposedly, this was confirmed by VP of Architecture, Mark Brogan, who announced there would be a trial of the service in Swindon in 2009, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Retail
Carte Wireless, like its competitiors operates a retail estate, with over 250 stores. These are branded as "The Carte Store" and operate as a direct sales channel. They also offer services from other Carte Telecom brands.

Contracts and Pre-Pay phones are available from retailers such as Carphone Warehouse and outlets such as supermarkets.

Trivia

 * Although Carte Telecom is the sponsor of the Chippenham Town FC Stadium, Carte Wireless is the sponsor of the team, replacing Gazette & Herald after the contract expired in July.
 * Most Carte Wireless account mobile numbers start with 07 969 XXX XXX.
 * On the Carte network, dialing 411 will call Carte411, and dialing 511 will call Carte Voice Messaging Service.