The Australian founder of Boost Mobile who has been described as a “disruptive” player in the global mobile market has cut a major mobile deal with the world’s largest retailer Walmart.
The big US retailer is set to sell prepaid phone plans via MobileX a new business founded by Adderton to deliver a wireless service, the deal is MobileX’s first and at this stage exclusive retail partner.
Announced overnight in the USA MobileX, which uses Verizon Communications network similar to the way that Boost Mobile uses Telstra’s wholesale network.
The deal will see Walmart customers offered an unlimited pay as you go service for US14.88 a month (A$23.25). There is also a cheaper deal at US $4.08 a month.
MobileX also offers 5 gigabytes of high-speed data with its $14.88 per month plan and 30 gigabytes of data on its $24.88 offer.
Additional data costs $2.10 per gigabyte. 
The real value of the MobileX platform is the backend capability such as an artificial intelligence-powered guide that can anticipate a customer’s data needs and customize a plan tailored to their usage.
Adderton told ChannelNews that he would love to roll out the same service in Australia with a major retailer.
“This is a disruptive platform and Walmart wants to be a disruptive player in the US mobile market”.
Adderton said that the platform had been offered to Telstra who he described as being a carrier who likes the “status Quo” of where they are currently at.
“We’re super excited to be partnered with the largest prepaid wireless retailer in the US,” Adderton said of his Walmart deal.
“We would like to do the same in Australia”.
“Consumers have been losing options and brands like ours give consumers choice,” he said.
Adderton claims that Walmart delivers “massive visibility” for his MobileX network.
He describes it as a low-cost alternative to more expensive monthly plans that carriers are currently offering.
IDC analysts claim that consumers facing living pressures due to volatile inflation are looking for cheaper mobile plans.
In the past cheap mobile services have had a difficult time dislodging people from more expensive plans because carriers have locked consumers into deals over several years.
“We’re excited to offer our customers a new way of approaching their mobile phone plans with the innovation, customisation and reliability provided by MobileX.” Mehrdad Akbar, vice president of merchandising for wireless at Walmart US said in an announcement.
The retail giant already has partnerships with Boost Mobile USA. Adderton sold the rights to this network several years to US carrier Sprint.
Walmart competitor Amazon.com recently started selling Boost Infinite.
It already sells SIM cards for Boost Mobile, along with other prepaid plans.
“Boost is a potentially disruptive player at Amazon, and MobileX could be the same at Walmart,” said Recon Analytics’ Roger Entner, who was briefed on the announcement.
“Adderton is a loud, colourful force in wireless and he’s worth watching.”
