Australian mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Vaya has acquired 100-percent of competitor Live Connected for an undisclosed sum, with plans to continue running both mobile businesses as separate entities.
The move adds Live Connected's 25,000 subscribers to Vaya's books, with the combined subscriber base for both MVNO businesses in excess of 70,000.
The change of ownership should be invisible to Live Connected customers, with no shifts in rates or plan inclusions in the works at this time.
Vaya CEO Ben Pullen says that buying Live Connected gives Vaya a chance to offer a similar value proposition but in a number of ways that will appeal to different customers.
"There is a lot of synergies between the two brands…both [are] tackling similar segments of the market, albeit a little differently.," said Pullen.
"We want to combine the best of both businesses so it's a win for customers on both brands."
There certainly are synergies. Both MVNOs resell service on the Optus network, and both offer vastly cheaper alternatives to the big 3 telcos: Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. The maximum price for a SIM-only plan through both providers is $45 p/m. Only Vaya offers 4G network coverage at this time, though.
Live Connected operations will move interstate from its current location in Sydney to the Vaya offices in Fortitude Valley in Queensland. Vaya is recruiting for new positions on its Live Connected team, but there is no word how the acquisition will impact Sydney-based staff.
Joseph Hanlon
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