SANTA MONICA, Calif.—Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. is moving beyond the phone to offer a CDMA2000 1x EV-DO laptop card that will allow users to “switch between a nationwide 3G network, private and free Wi-Fi signals and a worldwide network of Wi-Fi hotspots,” according to the company.
The Helio Hybrid service will be the first converged offer from the new generation of MVNOs; most companies so far have focused on offering more traditional handsets, albeit with advanced services, to consumers.
Tatara Systems will be providing the convergence platform for the service, and the Helio Hybrid will utilize the Boingo Wireless Inc.’s system of Wi-Fi hotspots. Boingo claims contracts with more than 45,000 Wi-Fi hotspots around the world.
Boingo was founded by Sky Dayton, who is Helio’s chief executive officer.
The card itself, which only includes an EV-DO chipset and relies on a laptop computers’ built-in 802.11 capabilities for accessing hot spots, is manufactured by Sierra Wireless and is available from Helio’s Web site for free with a two-year customer agreement and a data plan costing $85 per month. The pricing is slightly higher than the $60 per month charged by Sprint Nextel Corp. for unlimited access to its EV-DO network and the $22 per month Boingo charges for unlimited access to its Wi-Fi network.
