As RCR Wireless News previously reported, Virgin Mobile has tapped Chile as its initial launch market for mobile virtual network operator services in Latin America. The company announced that it had signed an agreement with Telefónica’s Movistar operations in the country to launch service in the first quarter of next year. Virgin Mobile has already received regulatory approval from Chile’s telecommunications regulator.
United Kingdom-based Virgin Group announced in early June plans to launch a Virgin-branded MVNO service in Latin America in partnership with Tribe Mobile. “We are excited to have made such good progress towards launching our first mobile business in Latin America in Chile. This is an exciting project for Virgin and we believe Virgin Mobile Chile customers will be delighted by the services we will be offering them at launch,” said
Virgin’s founder Richard Branson in a statement.
Peter Macnee, president and CEO for Virgin Mobile Latin America, said the company is also looking at expanding services to other countries in the region. “It is hard to exactly determine the time, because we are in negotiations with MNOs, but next countries probably are Colombia and Argentina, then Brazil and Mexico,” explained Macnee.
VMLA said it will target youth and “young at heart” consumers, positioning itself as a fresh alternative to existing wireless providers.
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