As competition in the business for mobile phone service heats up, Paradise Mobile has taken an aggressive line: it is offering to pay users to switch.

The company took to the lawn of City Hall this morning with a protest-style pop-up, urging users to “break free from longstanding mobile contracts” which the company said can be ageing and punitive.

It was so successful, employees will be back again next Friday at mid-day for another of the light-hearted events, with free Ashley’s Lemonade and “bold signage and cheeky chants” encouraging customers to walk away from what the company called outdated plans and overpriced penalties.

A press statement said: “The event, staged directly across from a competing carrier, also highlighted Paradise Mobile’s ongoing effort to challenge Bermuda’s telecom duopoly and give consumers a real alternative.”

The “Break Free” campaign invites the public to share their worst mobile service experiences and, for those ready to switch, Paradise offers up to $1,000 in credit to cover contract termination fees.

The first ten customers who made the move were rewarded with a $100 instant credit just for “walking away from the nonsense”.

Sam Tabbara, Paradise Mobile’s chief executive, said: “From Day One, Paradise has stood for something different. We made a promise: to give our community true freedom, price certainty and transparency. That means no hidden fees, no bill shock and no surprises — ever.

“The public have been sold the illusion of ‘free phones’, only to find out that over the course of your contract you’ve paid three times, sometimes even four times, more than what the phone actually costs. You have endured hidden fees, confusing bills and painfully slow data, not because you wanted to but because you had no real alternative. Until now.”

“This break-free announcement is another way we are putting our money where our mouth is. We are not just saying we are different — we are proving it. Freedom should not come at a cost, and today we are making it official: we are offering up to $1,000 credit for anyone who breaks their current mobile contract to switch to Paradise.”

Brett Corday, the company’s chief revenue officer, added: “Just last week, our very first 'Break Free’ customer walked into the store. He was willing to pay $994.38 out of his own pocket just to escape his old contract, because he was tired of having his monthly price triple while being locked into the same-old predatory contract. Instead of punishing you for leaving, we are rewarding you for breaking free. That is real freedom.”

“Switching could not be simpler: keep your number, activate online in under five minutes and with e-sim there is no need for a physical card. Plus, when you are with Paradise, your bill is the same whether you are in Bermuda, New York, London or Toronto. No fine print, no nasty surprises — just peace of mind every month.”