- Klarna unveils a $40/month unlimited 5G plan in the U.S. through Gigs and AT&T.
- This marks Klarna’s evolution into a full-spectrum fintech super-app.
What happened: Fintech Crosses the Telecom Line
Swedish fintech Klarna, once known only for “buy now, pay later,” has jumped into an unexpected lane: mobile telecom. On June 18, it announced a new unlimited 5G phone plan priced at $40/month, powered by infrastructure from AT&T and enabled via Gigs—a Google-backed platform that helps fintechs become mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
The plan includes unlimited data, calls, and texts, and will be accessible directly through the Klarna app. U.S. users can already join a waitlist, with a full rollout expected in the coming weeks. Klarna says this launch starts in its largest market and will expand to the UK, Germany, and others later this year.
Also read: Klarna and Stripe forge major partnership
Also read: Telecom giants launch Aduna for global API innovation
Why it is important
Klarna’s move may seem niche, but it represents a bigger strategy: converting from a BNPL brand into a lifestyle banking ecosystem. By offering mobile services through its app, Klarna positions itself as a fintech super-app where payments, credit, and now telecom coexist. This isn’t about phones—it’s about owning more customer time and data.For Klarna, bundling telecom is a loyalty engine, building retention and app stickiness in a competitive fintech arena.
Meanwhile, Klarna’s debut disrupts the MVNO sector, which has seen growing interest from fellow fintechs like Revolut and Nubank. Its aggressive pricing and app-level access could force telecom providers and fintech rivals to accelerate integration. Klarna doesn’t want to be part of telecom; it wants telecom to be part of Klarna.This mindset—absorbing verticals instead of partnering with them—may define the future of embedded finance.
