Telenet launches cheap handset mobile offer

MECHELEN, Belgium Oct 29 (Reuters) - Belgian cable operator Telenet (TNET.BR) said on Thursday it would launch a new mobile phone offer which would allow users to buy a handset for just 1 euro ($1.47).

The group is the first in Belgium to take advantage of a April ruling by the European Union's top court, which ordered Belgium to end its ban on retailers bundling the sale of separate products.

Customers will be able to choose from four different handsets, which normally sell at a retail price of about 150 euros.

Telenet already has an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) partnership with Mobistar (MSTAR.BR) to offer mobile services via the latter's network.

Telenet was also still eyeing a fourth mobile licence, which the Belgian government plans to sell early next year.

"We are interested but it remains dependent on the conditions," Ronny Verhelst, chief executive of Telenet's mobile division told a news conference.

Telenet will issue third-quarter results after the market close on Thursday. ($1=.6785 Euro) (Reporting by Antonia van de Velde; editing by Simon Jessop)