The company best known for disposable lighters and razors, is launching a mobile phone. The BIC phone, launched in conjunction with Orange in initially the French market only, is a simple mobile phone that is ready for action from the word go. It comes with the SIM card inserted, is fully charged and has 60 free minutes. But is it a “disposable” phone?

No. Despite many early press reports which described it as a “disposable” phone, BIC are at pains to point out this is not so. A disclaimer says: “BIC phone is not a ‘disposable’ phone. It is sold with a rechargeable battery, included in the pack and when your 60 minute credit is over, you can buy more credit with a prepaid “mobicarte.”

So now you know, but with BIC’s pedigree, you can see why people might get the wrong idea.

Sold over the counter at, for example, supermarkets, local stores, tobacco shops, newsstands, train stations and airports, BIC reckons its new mobile phone will win fans because it is not only easy to use, but focuses on the basics: sending and receiving calls and SMS. Sold in distinctive citrus orange and lime green colour schemes, BIC also think it will be an ideal ‘second’ phone, one that could be used for mundane calls, whilst the main mobile line is kept free.

And BIC’s partner in France is Orange who are lending their considerable telecom weight to the idea. In order to get their free 60 minutes, purchasers of the BIC phone have to identify themselves to service agents and the telephone number, which is included in the pack, is
valid for at least 12 months from the time the phone is activated.

The manufacturer behind the BIC phone is TCL which currently sells its mobiles under the Alcatel brand.

For those that don’t know, BIC has been around for over 50 years, producing stationery, lighters and shavers. It is one of the most recognised brands in the world, selling its products to over 160 countries around the globe. In 2007, BIC enjoyed sales of 1,456.1 million euros.

Yet only time will tell is convenience, over say substance, will justify the recommended €49 price tag for the new BIC mobile phone.

Now, we’ve all heard of people having a go at mobile telephone masts. And to be fair, whether you’re against them, for them, or, like most people, totally ambivalent, they are an integral part of life. No phone masts, no mobile network, no mobile telephones. If the mobile telecom companies didn’t seem to make a habit off erecting them near to schools – an obvious PR disaster in the making– then a lot of the controversy might never happen. Who really complains about the masts when they are situated on tall industrial buildings, or alongside motorways?

Who knows what effects all these wireless networks out there are having upon us? But one thing is for sure, bring down masts, halt all wireless networks, and life would be very different indeed; almost a step back in time.

A story has just emerged which seems to emphasise the deep hypocrisy of our everyday lives. A group of London residents are complaining bitterly to their local authority, Enfield Council, about yet another mast being erected in their neighbourhood, making it an incredible 14 mobile phone masts in one square mile alone. This latest mast is being erected on behalf of Orange and is going up despite Enfield council’s objections. They could not refuse on health grounds (as a cause and effect has not been established), but refused for aesthetic reasons.

The council lost an appeal, Orange won and up went the mast: residents were outraged.  Yet all bar one of the residents who organised a co-ordinated no campaign, admitted they were regular uses of mobile phones. Orange pointed out that without these masts, the network would break down, especially as they admit such low signal strengths and so have to be placed where people need them – mostly in built-up areas.

Orange also pointed out that there have been no proper scientific studies that have proved that these masts cause health problems. So, there you have it; one of life’s modern dilemmas. No-one wants a phone mast in their backyard, but if you don’t have them in someone’s back yard, you don’t get a good network.

Figure that one out.