Virgin Mobile USA buys JumpTap mobile content search engine

Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. tapped JumpTap Inc. to power a mobile-specific search engine for users looking for wireless content.
The mobile virtual network operator said JumpTap will provide an advertising-supported search offering designed to deliver ringtones, games, wallpapers and other mobile content. The service will deliver results from both on- and off-portal content providers and is slated for a February debut.
The offering is an extension of Virgin Mobile USA’s ringtone search service, which launched earlier this year. The service will also integrate SugarMama, a Virgin Mobile USA mobile advertising platform that delivers targeted marketing messages in exchange for free airtime.
“Navigating though pages of WAP content, or trying to hit Web sites that aren’t mobile-enabled to find that one thing you’re looking for, will so be a thing of the past,” said Dominick Tolli, the MVNO’s vice president of mobile data services. “This is another major step in making the whole wireless experience more satisfying for our customers.”
Users with any of Virgin Mobile USA’s 3G phones can access the new platform. JumpTap powers search services for Alltel Corp. and several other network operators.