Orange & Bic Team Up To Announce the Disposable Bic Cell Phone [‘Ready To Go’ Handset]

Bic, who’s name is synonymous with disposable pens (aka the Bic Biro), have teamed up with Orange to announce their new, disposable Bic Phone which will be sold as a ‘ready to go’ device with 60 minutes of inclusive ‘free’ talktime, a fully charged battery and integrated SIM card that its envisaged will sell over the counter at supermarkets and convenience stores and which is billed as being of appeal to ‘consumers who like easy-to-use and pay as you go products’.

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but just when so many manufactures are focusing on producing products that offer increasingly less environmental impact Bic have decided, in their infinite ‘disposable’ wisdom, that we can find room in our hectic lifestyles for another gadget that will make its way to landfills sooner than a bio-yogurt pot festering in the back of a student’s fridge. And, in fairness, though the idea of eminent disposability somewhat goes against the current grain, we don’t doubt for a second that it’ll not only sell, but that it’ll positively fly off the shelves. That said, considering the ‘use and throw’ nature of the handset we would have thought that Bic would have made at least some concessions the ensuing environmental impact (perhaps to the extent of implanting a seed in a biodegradable shell thus allowing the device to grow a flower post use) but, alas, their press statement is wholly devoid of even the slightest eco-bandwagon sound bites.

Apart from being supplied with 60 minutes of talktime, which is valid for 2 months from activation, the Bic Disposable Cell Phone, which is being manufactured by TCL (Alcatel), comes with a number that’s valid for 12 months (thus allowing, at least, some scope in terms of top-ups) will be made available in Citrus Orange or Lime Green and will go on sale in France for €49 from August 7 with a UK release following at an undisclosed date thereafter.

Bic [via]