Dutch telecoms group KPN has confirmed that it will launch in France as a MVNO using its ‘Simyo’ discount brand on Sunday (11 January). The service will piggy-back on the network of France’s third-placed mobile operator, Bouygues Telecom. KPN has already successfully launched the Simyo model in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, and described the French launch as part of its strategy to “deploy different brands, in different markets in Europe.” The French MVNO will charge €0.19 per minute to call all fixed and mobile networks 24 hours a day.

France is considered an attractive market for a a discount mobile brand due to its relatively high mobile prices. According to a Reuters report, the average per-minute price in France is €0.32, which will allow KPN to easily undercut existing network operators such as Orange and SFR. KPN added that it is planning to introduce other propositions in France in 2009 using both its own brands and via partnerships.