Helio dropping Hybrid

Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. is discontinuing its hybrid WiFi/cellular data plan as of May 8, according to the company’s Web site.
The Helio Hybrid plan was introduced last October and was the first time an MVNO had ventured into convergence territory. Helio Hybrid utilized Boingo Wireless Inc.’s system of Wi-Fi hotspots. Boingo claims contracts with more than 45,000 Wi-Fi hotspots around the world and was founded by Sky Dayton, who is Helio’s CEO. The card itself, which included a CDMA2000 1x EV-DO chipset and relied on laptop computers’ built-in 802.11 capabilities for accessing hot spots, was available from Helio’s Web site for free with a two-year customer agreement and a data plan costing $85 per month for unlimited access.
The company said that customers that ordered the service could keep their cards free of charge, and provided instructions on its Web site on how to uninstall the software from a user’s laptop. Customers will be charged for their use through May 7 and, since the service is billed in advance.
Helio representatives could not immediately be reached for comment on the decision to discontinue the service.