UK operators devise game plans

UK operators EE and O2 have announced gaming partnerships in a bid to create differentiation in their service offerings. EE has partnered with US games network provider WildTangent and mobile solutions provider Infomedia allowing WildTangent’s games service to feature on select EE handsets.

O2, meanwhile, has announced that it is extending its gaming range and will be selling the Xbox One bundled with the Nokia Lumia 1020 handset. The console will be available to both new and existing customers on O2’s Refresh tariff.

The EE partnership allows its subscribers to play all WildTangent games for free with adverts and customers can earn in-game items from sponsors. Users will also be able to buy games or pay for in app purchases through their monthly bills or pay-as-you-go credit.

Meanwhile, O2’s Xbox One bundle costs £52 per month with an £99.99 upfront cost and includes an Xbox One, FIFA 14, Kinect, 12 months Xbox Live Gold subscription and a Nokia Lumia 1020 with unlimited minutes, texts and 1GB data.