Mobe network Three is the magic number for FreedomPop

The MVNO beloved by Californians, FreedomPop, is courting beta testers in the UK. The service will offer 200MBs of data, 200 voice minutes, and 200 texts completely free each month via the FreedomPop app, or new international SIM.

FreedomPop is now accepting orders on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Numbers are allocated by the UK host network, Three, which means phones will have to be at least 3G - but then this is a service aimed at techies.

The network will also offer unlimited free calls and texts to other people on FreedomPop, and free international calling to over 60 countries.

“We’ve seen tremendous success in providing free mobile connectivity with our value-added services in the US, and now we want to make it available to everyone, wherever they are,” said Steven Sesar, FreedomPop COO and co-founder.

The profit in the service comes from using more than the basic allocation, but there is the ability to rollover unused data, and, much like TruPhone you can have an additional number from one of 60 countries, although FreedomPop charges for this. US numbers are £2 a month.

The service offers users anonymous browsing to protect their online privacy and third-party hackers, although of course there will be legal intercept so any government agency can get access to your calls and call records with the right home office permission.

FreedomPop is going head to head with Truphone and Marathon Telecom with its Jetsetter service, the world’s first free roaming data SIM, which will launch later this year.

Jetsetter users will receive 100MBs of free high-speed data per month initially for use in the UK, Spain and France. The service, available over high-speed networks, will expand to more than 20 countries.

Beta invite requests are available.

A spokesperson explained the use of the app to us as “you get a FreedomPop SIM for your existing device".

"However," he continued, "if you just wanted free voice and text, and had a data connection (via Wi-Fi or another carrier SIM) our app ties to your native dialer and route calls through our VoIP platform giving you free voice and text and ability to have multiple phone numbers if you choose.”

That app is available for iOS and Android. Windows is waiting on Microsoft to sell some more devices. ®