While giving SIM cards away for free reduces upfront costs for new customers, unused SIMs represent an added cost. Those wasted SIM cards go counter to the lower cost structure that sets Public Mobile apart, and could get in the way of offering more cost effective plans.
My proposal is to link SIM cards purchased by existing customers to their phone number or account, as part of the Refer a Friend program. When the friend activates the card, they get $5 off their first payment as a welcome bonus, and the existing customer who refered them gets $1 off every month his friend stays with Public Mobile (as they currently do). This way unused SIM cards would not present an added cost for Public Mobile, they would present an opportunity.
I believe existing customers would be more motivated to sell people on Public Mobile and to have SIM cards readily available for them, knowing that when the SIM gets used the Refer a Friend program would kick in automaticaly (the site would have no need to even ask who referred them, it would know based on the SIM Card#). Of course nothing would stop an existing customer from asking for $5 up front to mitigate any risk. The new customer would still save $5 when they activate, and wouldn't have to wait to receive a SIM Card in the mail. If an existing customer decided to give the SIM Card for free, the new customer would then save $10 all together ($5 from not having to buy a SIM card themselves, plus another $5 when they activates it). Either way, the cost of entry would be reduced, making for an easier sale.
I believe this proposal would strengthen the Refer a Friend program.
