Sim Local makes Heathrow T3 Landside vending debut

By Doug Newhouse | Monday, 12 December 2016 7:45

Sim Local is a company new to airport retailing that has just installed its first Sim card vending machine at London Heathrow Terminal 3 landside arrivals, offering arriving passengers and others the opportunity to buy local prepaid Sim Cards for data, call and text usage for their mobile devices.

The Sim Local company says it has customised the vending unit with Brandbox – a company it describes as ‘a channel expert in automated retailing’. This allows the unit to dispense products appealing to the needs of intercontinental tourists, while showcasing its brand ‘in a more interactive, customer-friendly way.’

The Sim Local company also adds that this ‘next generation machine’ enables passengers to personalise their SIM Card selection based on their needs including their country of origin, the typical call types they intend to make and their data download needs. For example, a visitor from Australia making calls home will be offered a different product to someone from Europe who prefers to communicate using messaging apps.

The new mobile Sim Card dispenser at London Heathrow Terminal 3's landside arrivals area.

SIMS FOR DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES

Sim Local CEO Killian Whelan said: "We are excited by the opportunities offered to us by the Automated Retail Channel and how it can meet the needs of Heathrow's international travellers. We believe the mix of great locations with high footfall, the right products and the technology now available offers a great new retail option to Heathrow passengers arriving throughout the airport.

"Importantly for us, the channel offers both a great customer interactive experience and is a great representation of what can be achieved through the evolution of vending to automated retailing in a heavily space and resource-constrained environment, such as airport terminals."

The company adds that this is also a very helpful service to help arriving passengers pick the right sim tariff to help them keep down roaming charges while they are travelling.

INSTANT MOBILE CONNECTIVITY

Jonathan Coen, Heathrow's Commercial Director said: "We know our passengers expect Heathrow to deliver solutions for mobile connectivity as soon as they arrive at the airport. Sim Local's latest technology delivers automated retailing with an engaging customer interface – an ideal addition to our arrivals services."

According to Sim Local, its Brandbox developer has also created several other concepts designed to deliver automated retail at airports, travel hubs of all sizes and in other high footfall locations. It adds that Brandbox has also established partnerships and relationships with a number of the world's best-known brands. Its current product ranges include Sim Cards, branded toys, branded gifts, travel essentials and consumer electronics.

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