O2 is joining forces with the Fan Fair Alliance (FFA) to put customers, gig goers and music lovers first in the ticket resale market.

With research commissioned by FanFair Alliance last year revealing the depth of public concern with mass scale ticket touting on many secondary ticketing platforms, O2 and the FFA will work together to ensure that as many Priority Tickets as possible are going to genuine fans.

The research revealed that nearly three quarters of the UK population (74%) think online ticket touting is becoming a major concern for music fans, while (44%) are unaware of the difference between primary and secondary ticket sites. However, 72% of respondents found the idea of pre-sales appealing, giving registered fans a chance to buy tickets before they go on general sale.

In 2008, O2 pioneered the pre-sale model with the launch of Priority Tickets allowing customers access to tickets 48 hours before general release. The model works by providing O2 customers early access to official tickets which are sold on primary ticketing sites.

Over the years Priority Tickets has enabled millions of O2 customers and genuine fans to see their favourite artists live. But the ticketing industry is increasingly being targeted by individuals and organisations looking to extract large profits by re-selling tickets including those purchased through pre-sales at significantly higher prices than face value.

After an extensive audit and working with the FFA, O2 will be introducing a series of measures to Priority Tickets to minimise abuse on the service:

• Updating Priority Tickets terms and conditions to reflect recent changes to the Consumer Rights Act, ensuring tickets are for individuals and not businesses
• Working with our venue partners to monitor all pre-sale purchases
• A regular cleanse of the Priority Ticket database to remove individuals who no longer meet the minimum criteria and/or abuse the service
• Providing FFA advice to O2 customers in order to help them make informed ticket purchasing decision

 

Nina Bibby, CMO at O2 comments, “We recognise the increasing concerns from our customers, artists and the wider industry about the scale of abuse in the secondary ticket market. Music is in O2’s DNA and we are committed to ensuring that tickets made available through Priority Tickets end up in the hands of genuine fans. The FFA has made significant progress in addressing some of these concerns over the past two years, pushing for change from government and organisations alike. We are looking forward to working with the FFA even further to help drive the agenda and ultimately clamp down on touts.”

Adam Webb, campaign manager, FanFair Alliance: “The past two years have seen significant progress to tackle mass-scale online ticket touting, including a raft of new and updated legislative and regulatory measures. These should empower artists and music businesses to better protect their audiences, and it is heartening that O2 are getting on the front-foot to help ensure millions of Priority Tickets reach their customers as intended. We hope others will follow their lead.”

Ian McAndrew, Wildlife Entertainment and one of the co-founders of FanFair Alliance: “The FanFair campaign has helped drive significant reforms in secondary ticketing, but it will still require proactive measures, such as these, to best ensure tickets reach their intended audience. It is to O2’s credit that they have instigated these initial changes, and we look forward to further collaboration going forward.”

Annabella Coldrick, CEO, Music Managers Forum (MMF): “Pre-sales are part and parcel of live music, and this raft of measures from O2 will help ensure Priority Tickets get into the hands of real music fans.  It is a very positive move forward, and one that will have ramifications throughout the live music business.”

About O2 and live music:

• The O2 is the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue
• The O2 has welcomed over 60 million visitors and sold 20 million tickets since opening in 2007
• O2 has 19 O2 Academy venues in 13 cities across the UK
• To date, 25 million people have been through the doors of an O2 Academy venue
• O2 customers have access to tickets to over 5,000 shows in over 350 venues across the UK each year via Priority Tickets

– Ends-

The post Out the tout: O2 teams up with Fan Fair Alliance to clamp down on secondary ticketing abuse appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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• O2 to stock exclusive Morroccan Blue LG G7 ThinQ, available to pre-order from today
• Available from £33 a month for 1GB of data, with a £99.99 upfront payment¹
• Customers can also claim a free phone case featuring exclusive Star Wars designs

O2 is now the exclusive UK mobile network stocking the LG G7 ThinQ in Moroccan Blue, with the device available on pre-order today. The G7 goes on sale on the 31^st May.

Available on O2 Refresh tariffs¹, the handset features a Super Bright 6.1” Quad HD+ FullVision display offering LG’s most vibrant screen ever. The Super Bright technology makes it easier to view the display in direct sunlight, all whilst saving up to 30% of precious battery life.

What’s more, the G7’s intelligent camera automatically recognises light levels and the shooting environment to ensure all your snaps are taken like a pro. Whilst the new Boombox Speaker uses the phone’s body to amplify sound, creating high-quality, loud, bassy audio on the go. And despite its sleek appearance, the device will keep going in almost any environment as it is both dust and water resistant.

Customers can get their hands on the latest LG flagship with prices starting from £33 a month with a £99.99 upfront payment for 1GB of data¹. Alternatively, the G7 is available for £37 a month with a smaller upfront payment of £9.99 for 1GB of data¹.

As a thank you for choosing O2, customers can also claim a free snap-on phone case² (RRP £19.99) to make sure their brand new device is kept in perfect nick. Customers can select one of six exclusive Disney designs from the highly anticipated upcoming film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, or a picture of their choice.

With O2 Refresh, customers can move to a higher or lower tariff in their family of tariffs once every billing month³, depending on how much data they anticipate using, giving customers’ flexibility and control over their bills. Customers who want to upgrade early from another handset need only pay off the remaining balance of their Device Plan to stay bang-up-to-date. What’s more, customers who want to keep their phone after two years will only pay for their monthly Airtime Plan from that point. Terms and conditions apply, visit o2.co.uk/termsandconditions for full details.

Plus, by recycling an old handset through O2 Recycle, customers can receive a cash payment when they upgrade. This could be up to £150 for something like the LG G6 H870, if there’s no damage⁴.Customers can recycle in-store or online at www.o2.co.uk/recycle.

For more information on new phone launches, visit www.o2.co.uk.

– ENDS –

¹O2 Refresh has two parts: a 24-month Airtime Plan (your calls, texts and data) and a device taken either on a 24 month consumer credit agreement Device Plan 0%APR or by paying the upfront cash price. You need to pass credit checks, be 18 or over and pay by Direct Debit.  Subject to status. Credit’s provided by Telefónica UK Ltd (you know us as O2), 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berks SL1 4DX. £33 tariff includes a 1GB Airtime Plan, which will be adjusted annually in April, by the RPI rate announced in the preceding February. Device Plan is £99.99 upfront and then £33 a month for 24 months. Total credit is £792.

²PROMOTED BY LG ELECTRONICS U.K. LTD: Purchase a new LG G7 handset (“Qualifying Purchase”) directly from O2 either online, via a call centre or in-store between 17th May 2018 and 23:59 GMT+1 on 31 July 2018 and receive a voucher to redeem one of 2000 customisable Solo: A Star Wars Story (or image of your choice on a) Snap-on LG G7 cases (RRP £19.99) online. All redemptions must be made by 23:59 on 31st August 2018 and are subject to stock availability, first come first served. Only open to UK residents over the age of 18 and internet access is required. Please see full terms and conditions on www.lg.com/uk/g7offer.

³Only on O2 Refresh tariffs purchased directly from O2. Change your airtime tariff after 30 days and then once every billing month during your minimum contract period, choosing from a selected family of tariffs. Some tariff extras are only available on the starting tariff, are not transferable, and may be lost if you change to an ineligible tariff. Devices are subject to availability. O2 Refresh: Finance is subject to status, credit check and direct debit. 18+. 0% APR. Terms apply, see o2.co.uk/terms.

⁴Your device must pass our checklist. The value will depend on the model and condition. We can transfer the money or you can use the money towards a new purchase from O2 in the same transaction. Our terms apply o2recycle.co.uk.

The post LG G7 ThinQ in Moroccan Blue available to pre-order on O2 from today appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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• O2 offering UK teachers up to 40% discount on selected airtime plans when bought with O2 Refresh handsets and tablets via O2 Open
• Employees working for the NHS, Police and Armed Forces can benefit too
• Plus 2 x Family and Friends can also receive an exclusive 25% discount on airtime

O2 is today expanding its popular O2 Open service, offering a massive 40% discount on airtime (rather than the usual 25%) until June 18^th. The O2 Open discount scheme now includes all state-funded teachers in the UK, and the discount applies to the airtime of O2 Refresh Airtime Plans, from 3GB and above. Any customers on plans below 3GB can also enjoy a discount of 30%.

O2 Open allows organisations to give their employees exclusive perks and discounts on phones, tablets and accessories. Employers such as the NHS, Police and Armed Forces are already loving the benefits, with new organisations in both the private and public sector regularly signing up.

With O2 Open, customers can make the most of not just one, but two discounts – one for an O2 Refresh phone tariff AND one for a tablet or mobile broadband data tariff. In addition, new and existing customers can also share their O2 Open rewards with their loved ones, with two family and friends discounts at 25% on all O2 Refresh Airtime Plans.

To find out if a company is registered for O2 Open, all customers need to do is text the word ‘OPEN’ followed by the company name to 61202. Alternatively, customers can visit a local O2 store, ring customer service on 202 or speak to O2’s online web chat team.

Once this is done, customers need only to sign up via o2.co.uk/open within 28 days of starting the contract to apply the discount. It’s as simple as that.

Teachers can redeem the discount using the code ‘TEACH’ and a copy of either their payslip or teacher ID card.

What’s more, O2 Open customers can also get a 20% discount on accessories by popping into an O2 store with proof of employment.

For more information on O2 Open, visit: o2.co.uk/open.

The post Top of the class: O2 offers teachers 40% discount on their phone bills appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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• O2 is the exclusive UK high street retailer of the OnePlus 6 in Mirror Black and Midnight Black from 22^nd May, available to pre-order from today
• Tariffs start from £40 per month with a £19.99 upfront payment, offering up to 4GB data¹
• Featuring a huge 6.28” display, superfast hardware and up to 128GB storage, all wrapped up in a sleek, stylish body

O2 will be the exclusive UK high street retailer of the new OnePlus 6 in Mirror Black and Midnight Black when it goes on sale on 22^nd May, with pre-order open for customers from 6pm today. O2 customers can collect pre-orders made in store one day earlier than general release.

Available on O2 Refresh tariffs¹ customers can enjoy a fantastic range of offers for the breath-taking device including Double Data² when paying for 2GB, 4GB, 15GB or 25GB, or O2’s coveted Yearly Upgrade Programme³ with 30GB or more tariffs. The Yearly Upgrade Programme offers customers the opportunity to trade in their phone after only 12 months and upgrade to a new one without having to pay to end their current O2 Device Plan.

The OnePlus 6 is built around ‘the Speed You Need’ and packs a stunning 6.28” display into a stylish, premium, all-glass body, paired with superfast hardware and software – everything from streaming HD video to playing graphics-intensive games is seamless.

The OnePlus 6 lets customers capture more and shoot faster with a camera set for all occasions, from low light to a bumpy road or moving target. With its Quick Capture and Smart Capture software, and newly added Optical Image Stabilisation, users will never miss a special moment again. Especially with up to a massive 128 GB storage and a day’s power from just half an hour’s charging thanks to the incredible OnePlus Fast Charge Technology.

Magnus McDonald, Director of Product and Category Management at O2 said: “As the exclusive UK partner for OnePlus we are really excited to be part of another fantastic launch, this time, for the OnePlus 6. We’re proud to yet again bring one of the best phones in the market to O2 customers.”

O2 Refresh options include¹:

• Prices start from £40 per month
• £19.99 upfront then £40 a month, which includes a 4GB Airtime Plan
• £19.99 upfront then £46 a month, which includes a 8GB Airtime Plan

What’s more, any customer that introduces a friend to O2 can share £80 in Amazon vouchers if they buy a OnePlus 6 by the 6^th June⁴.

Keen fans can also get their hands on the latest OnePlus a day early, available to buy via O2 or directly from OnePlus from a pop-up store at Kachette in vibrant Shoreditch on the 21st May, open 12-9pm.

With flexible tariffs  customers can move to a higher or lower tariff in their family of tariffs once every billing month⁵, depending on how much data they anticipate using, giving customers’ flexibility and control over their bills. Customers who want to upgrade early from another handset need only pay off the remaining balance of their Device Plan to stay bang-up-to-date. What’s more, customers who want to keep their phone after two years will only pay for their monthly Airtime Plan from that point. Terms and conditions apply, visit o2.co.uk/termsandconditions for full details.

Plus, for a limited time only, customers who want to recycle their current handset to buy a OnePlus 6, could get £50 extra on top of their usual O2 Recycle payment when they upgrade⁶. Customers can recycle in-store or online at www.o2.co.uk/recycle.

For more information on new phone launches, visit www.o2.co.uk.

– ENDS – 

¹O2 Refresh has two parts: a 24-month Airtime Plan (your calls, texts and data) and a device taken either on a 24 month consumer credit agreement Device Plan 0%APR or by paying the upfront cash price. You need to pass credit checks, be 18 or over and pay by Direct Debit.  Subject to status. Credit’s provided by Telefónica UK Ltd (you know us as O2), 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berks SL1 4DX. £40 tariff includes a 4GB Airtime Plan, which will be adjusted annually in April, by the RPI rate announced in the preceding February. Device Plan is £19.99 upfront and then £40 a month for 24 months. Total credit is £960.

²Double Data: Only when bought directly from O2. Available on pre-order between 16 May 2018 and 11 July 2018. Buy a new One Plus 6 on O2 Refresh with a 2GB, 4GB, 15GB or 25GB Airtime Plan and your standard data allowance will be doubled. Europe Zone data only. Fair Usage policy applies. Subject to availability.

³Yearly Upgrade Programme Only available on tariffs with 30GB or more. After 12 months trade in with O2 Recycle and upgrade to clear your Device Plan. 18+.

⁴1 x Referral Bonus of £40 (usually £25) Amazon e-voucher each to Friend and Referrer per Qualifying Purchase. Tell a Friend offer applies to new customers who pre-order or purchase a OnePlus 6 with an O2 Refresh tariff, between 16 May and 6 June 2018 only. Pre-registration of both Referrer and Friend required. Only eligible purchases made via the link provided during registration will qualify. All other sales channels excluded. Amazon Voucher terms apply and will be sent up to 3 months following verification of purchase. Terms apply, see o2.co.uk/terms.

⁵Flexible tariffs are only on O2 Refresh tariffs purchased directly from O2. Change your airtime tariff after 30 days and then once every billing month during your minimum contract period, choosing from a selected family of tariffs. Some tariff extras are only available on the starting tariff, are not transferable, and may be lost if you change to an ineligible tariff. Devices are subject to availability. O2 Refresh: Finance is subject to status, credit check and direct debit. 18+. 0% APR. Terms apply, see o2.co.uk/terms.

⁶O2 Recycle Extra £50: Get an extra £50 from O2 Recycle when you trade in and buy the OnePlus on O2 Refresh directly from O2.Device must pass checklist. £50 extra may be paid separately to standard O2 Refresh payment. Direct purchases only. Subject to availability. Terms apply see o2.co.uk/terms and o2recycle.co.uk.

⁷Your device must pass our checklist. The value will depend on the model and condition. We can transfer the money or you can use the money towards a new purchase from O2 in the same transaction. Our terms apply o2recycle.co.uk.

The post OnePlus 6 available to pre-order on O2 from today appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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• O2 customers to get exclusive Priority Tickets to all of Shawn Mendes: The Tour UK dates 48 hours ahead of general release
• O2 TV ad featuring the artist to air on 9^th May
• UK tour dates in April 2019, including two dates at The O2

O2 and Shawn Mendes are joining forces ahead of the artist’s 2019 UK tour, exclusively offering O2 customers Priority Tickets for the multi-platinum singer/songwriter’s six UK tour dates, 48 hours ahead of general release.

Following in the footsteps of other megastars including Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga, the exclusive partnership will see the artist appear in one of O2’s iconic “Walk” TV ads, as part of a major through-the-line campaign to promote the UK leg of his worldwide tour.

Launching from today, the ad charts Shawn’s meteoric rise to stardom. Set to his lead single from his upcoming third studio album, “In My Blood”, it opens with him alone in his workspace tuning his guitar. As he riffs, he closes his eyes and the audience are transported into a hazy dreamlike montage of his walk to stage, culminating with Shawn stepping out to the bright lights and the roar of the crowd.

The 60 second TV ad will air from 9^th May across key spots on ITV including the new series of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Britain’s Got Talent. It will also be available on O2’s YouTube channel.

O2 will also be promoting the campaign across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via #ShawnMendesTheTour as well as revealing exclusive behind-the-scenes content for customers and fans.

The UK leg of Shawn Mendes World Tour begins in April 2019, with multiple dates at The O2 and arenas nationwide in Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester.

O2 customers can get Priority Tickets 48 hours before general release from 10am Wednesday 16^th May through the Priority app.  Tickets go on sale to the general public from 10am on Friday 18^th May.

Nina Bibby, CMO at O2 said, “We know our customers love music which is why we continue to give them access to Priority Tickets to see the biggest stars in the world, 48 hours before general release.  Shawn Mendes is one of those stars and we’re excited to be part of his highly anticipated global tour, with dates at The O2 as well as across the UK.”

Shawn Mendes said, “I can’t wait to come to the UK and tour for my British fans. There’s nothing like playing in front of such a massive crowd of my most diehard fans at The O2 and I’m so excited to play a bunch of my new music from my upcoming album, as well as from my past albums.”

2019 UK Tour Dates

06/04/2019         SSE Hydro, Glasgow      

07/04/2019         Manchester Arena, Manchester              

09/04/2019         Arena Birmingham, Birmingham

10/04/2019         First Direct Arena, Leeds

16/04/2019         The O2, London

17/04/2019         The O2, London

 

The post O2 teams up with Shawn Mendes for his 2019 UK Tour appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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• One third of Brits haven’t experienced live music in the past ten years
• People in Yorkshire are the least likely to have gone to a gig, while Londoners are the biggest gig goers
• O2-commissioned study shows that 67% of people prefer live music to recorded tracks
• Priority Tickets provides O2 customers with access to over 5,000 shows in over 350 venues across the UK

More than 8 million¹ Brits aged 18 and over have never been to a gig, while more than 16 million haven’t experienced live music in the past ten years, according to a new study.

Research by O2² showed that millions are missing out on the magic of live music, which more than two thirds (67%) of Brits believe is better than playing the tracks at home, citing the atmosphere, the people you get to meet and the feeling of engaging with the artist on stage when you go to a gig.

The news that so many people have yet to go attend their first gig comes after a recent scientific study which showed that regular gig-going is actually good for you. It can help extend lifespans by nine years, while just 20 minutes of gig time was proven to increase people’s feelings of self-worth, closeness to others, mental stimulation and general feelings of wellbeing – surely something that will set alarm bells ringing for the 31% of Brits who haven’t attended a gig in the past decade.

According to the research, Londoners are the biggest live music fans, with one in six (17%) attending a gig at least once a month. But, almost one in five (19%) people aged 55 and over have never been to a gig before, while people in Yorkshire and the Humber are the least likely to have gone to a gig (21% have never been).

Many people who’ve never been to a gig claim the price puts them off (36%), 23% said they find crowds overwhelming, 15% said they lived too far from a venue and 15% felt they were too old to go.

But these fears only apply to those who’ve never been to gigs, the research revealed. Those who go regularly love the experience. Half (50%) cited the atmosphere as one of the best things about seeing live music, while 41% said making memories was one of the key parts of gig-going.

Nina Bibby, CMO at O2, said:

“Our research has revealed that many people are missing out on the incredible experience of seeing live music. But that doesn’t have to be the case. O2 has 19 O2 Academy venues in 13 cities across the UK and through Priority Tickets, we give our customers access to over 5,000 live shows in more than 350 venues across every year.”

When it comes to artists that Brits wish they’d seen live, Queen, The Beatles and Abba topped the list. In the survey, respondents were also asked which genres they listen to in order to make themselves feel happy. The results encompassed a broad musical spectrum, with pop emerging as the victor. Here is the full top ten:

The top ten genres of music people listen to when they want to feel happy:

• Pop – 41%
• Rock – 32%
• Pop Rock – 27%
• Classical – 20%
• Dance – 19%
• Country – 18%
• Disco – 18%
• Ballads – 16%
• Musicals – 15%
• Indie – 15%

About O2 and live music:

• The O2 is the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue
• The O2 has welcomed over 60 million visitors and sold 20 million tickets since opening in 2007
• O2 has 19 O2 Academy venues in 13 cities across the UK
• To date, 25 million people have been through the doors of an O2 Academy venue
• O2 customers have access to tickets to over 5,000 shows in over 350 venues across the UK each year via Priority Tickets

To find your nearest gigs, visit: https://www.o2.co.uk/follow-the-rabbit

 -ENDS-

 Notes to Editors

¹Population estimates sourced from ONS; extrapolations based on a British adult population of 51.7m. The 8m figure was produced by one in six people (16%) saying they have yet to attend their first gig, while the 16m figure was produced by a third (31%) of respondents saying they have missed out on going to gigs for the past decade.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland

²Consumer research of representative sample of 2,000 UK adults was conducted by One Poll in February 2018.

The post To Gig or Not To Gig: More than 8 million British adults have never been to a gig appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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• O2 to stock exclusive Morroccan Blue LG G7 ThinQ for customers in the coming weeks
• Featuring a Super Bright 6.1” Display, an AI camera and Boombox Speaker, all wrapped up in an elegant waterproof body

O2 will be the exclusive UK mobile network stockist of the LG G7 ThinQ in Moroccan Blue when it goes on sale for customers on a range of O2 Refresh tariffs* in the coming weeks.

The handset features a Super Bright 6.1” Quad HD+ FullVision display offering LG’s most vibrant screen ever. The Super Bright technology makes it easier to view the display in direct sunlight, all whilst saving up to 30% of precious battery life.

What’s more, the G7’s intelligent camera automatically recognises light levels and the shooting environment to ensure all your snaps are taken like a pro. Whilst the new Boombox Speaker uses the phone’s body to amplify sound, creating high-quality, loud, bassy audio on the go. And despite its sleek appearance, the device will keep going in almost any environment as it is both dust and water resistant.

With O2 Refresh, customers can move to a higher or lower tariff in their family of tariffs once every billing month**, depending on how much data they anticipate using, giving customers’ flexibility and control over their bills. Customers who want to upgrade early from another handset need only pay off the remaining balance of their Device Plan to stay bang-up-to-date. What’s more, customers who want to keep their phone after two years will only pay for their monthly Airtime Plan from that point. Terms and conditions apply, visit o2.co.uk/termsandconditions for full details.

Plus, by recycling an old handset through O2 Recycle, customers can receive a cash payment when they upgrade. This could be up to £150 for the LG G6 H870, depending on the condition of the device***. Customers can recycle in-store or online at www.o2.co.uk/recycle.

For more information on new phone launches, visit www.o2.co.uk.

– ENDS – 

*O2 Refresh has two parts: a 24 month Airtime Plan (your calls, texts and data) and a device taken either on a 24 month consumer credit agreement Device Plan or by paying the upfront cash price. You need to pass credit checks, be 18 or over and pay by Direct Debit.  Subject to status. Credit’s provided by Telefónica UK Ltd (you know us as O2), 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berks SL1 4DX. In relation to consumer credit Telefónica UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our terms apply: o2.co.uk/terms.

**Only on O2 Refresh tariffs purchased directly from O2. Change your airtime tariff after 30 days and then once every billing month during your minimum contract period, choosing from a selected family of tariffs. Some tariff extras are only available on the starting tariff, are not transferable, and may be lost if you change to an ineligible tariff. Devices are subject to availability. O2 Refresh: Finance is subject to status, credit check and direct debit. 18+. 0% APR. Terms apply, see o2.co.uk/terms.

***Your device must pass our checklist. The value will depend on the model and condition. We can transfer the money or you can use the money towards a new purchase from O2 in the same transaction. Our terms apply o2recycle.co.uk.

The post O2 to be exclusive UK mobile network stockist of new LG G7 ThinQ in Moroccan Blue appeared first on O2 The Blue.

Source: O2 Blog
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