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LOS ANGELES—Helio L.L.C. is appealing to its 102,600 MySpace friends by offering to drop its standard two-year contract requirement. However, the carrier is not offering discounts on its phones.
According to Helio’s MySpace page, the site’s members can get Helio service without a contract and no early termination fee. The offer is described as “limited time,” but no definitive date was set for its expiration.
MySpace is a popular social networking Internet site where individuals, bands, companies and others post information and opinions. Companies in particular use the site to attempt to connect with MySpace’s younger demographic. MySpace users can connect to various sites by becoming “friends.”
Helio recently added a lower-priced, entry-level calling plan, adjusted its a la carte offerings and gave subscribers the ability to add a line to their account for $10 per month. However, the mobile virtual network operator has held firm on the price of its Hero and Kickflip handsets, which are $275 and $200 respectively. The price of the handsets appears to be of keen interest—and a barrier—to many commentators on the Helio MySpace site, who are in general enthusiastic about the service and phones. Among the postings are frequent requests for free phones and/or discounts, or laments about lack of funds.
“Ive [sic] wanted one of those phones ever since I saw the ad but I don’t have any money to get one right now,” wrote one poster. “I cant [sic] wait till I get enough money or I get one as a gift or something.”
“I love helio!!!!!!” exclaimed another poster. “Unfortunatly [sic] my mom says [you’re] too epensive [sic]. (super sad face) can you guys hook me up with a promo code so I might be able to change my moms [sic] mind?”
