Virgin Mobile USA's purchase of fellow MVNO Helio L.L.C. allows Virgin to evolve beyond its low-ARPU customers to higher-paying subscribers, as well as gain a sophisticated handset portfolio, improve its debt levels and cut a better deal with network operator Sprint Nextel Inc.Virgin Mobile...
A couple years ago, starting your very own mobile virtual network operations company was a sizzling hot idea and everybody was trying to cash in. But now, two years and a slue of MVNO closings later, the idea has fizzled. With the shut downs...
Mobile virtual network operator Virgin Mobile USA Inc. unveiled its new "Totally Unlimited" calling plan, which stands as a shot against the company's larger rivals by undercutting their prices by $20.Virgin's new plan, available July 1, will provide customers with unlimited minutes across days,...
Kajeet Inc. last week slashed a "sizable" chunk of its sales force as it shifts from a brick-and-mortar retail strategy to an online model."We did restructure and let go a reasonable number of people," CEO Daniel Neal confirmed, declining to disclose the number of...
Carriers are changing their minds about outsourcing pieces of their operations. The decision for carriers to put units of their business in others' hands is beginning to increase in popularity - not at a rapid speed, but it's being considered. Historically, the thought...
Sprint Nextel Corp. has been hit with a new class-action lawsuit alleging subscribers were billed for text messaging they did not authorize, litigation that is becoming increasingly common in the mobile-phone industry. "Rather than offer its customers a means to decline receipt of SMS...
Mobile virtual network enabler Visage Mobile announced plans to sell its Subscriber Management business to billing giant Convergys Corp. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Visage was one of a number of so-called MVNEs that rose in the wake of the mobile virtual network...
Peter Adderton, the man behind Boost Mobile and Amp'd Mobile Inc., has unveiled his next business venture. And like those before it, the plan doesn't lack one bit in the department of grandiose.This time, William Morris Agency's got his back. WMA represents authors, actors...
Boost Mobile is hoping to boost sales with a line of new retail stores.The Sprint Nextel Corp. division opened outlets in Hialeah, Fla., Huntington, Calif., and Houston, offering customers and would-be customers an opportunity to explore Boost's offerings "in a hands-on, contemporary environment." The...
THE GROUND CONTINUED TO SHIFT in the tumultuous mobile virtual network operator space this month as one player announced plans to call it quits, another explores a potential merger and a third prepares to morph into a reseller of wireless services.Embarq Holding Co. L.L.C....
First, let me say I think Wi-Fi is the best thing since sliced bread. Really, I do. That being said, a number of announcements last week made me scratch my head as different companies try to attack the wireless broadband space. Come along for...
Embarq Holding Co. L.L.C.'s CFO Gene Betts confirmed the company's plans to wind down its wireless offering that currently runs on former parent Sprint Nextel Corp.'s network. Betts, speaking at a Morgan Stanley investor conference yesterday, noted the company is in the process of...
Following much speculation, Virgin Mobile USA Inc. confirmed today that it is in "preliminary discussions" with SK Telecom to "explore possible strategic opportunities." Those opportunities are expected to include a possible merging of Virgin Mobile USA and SK Telecom-controlled mobile virtual network operator Helio...
Finally, the rapid collapse of an MVNO gets blamed on venture-capitalist firms placing unrealistic goals on those left managing the day-to-day operations. That's what happened in the case of recently bankrupt mobile virtual network operator Movida Communications Inc., APC Wireless CEO Paul Greene told...
Nearly lost in all post-mortems following the death of Mowser last week was this little tidbit: 80% of the traffic to the site was mobile users looking for adult content, according to founder Russell Beattie.Think about that. Four out of every five actions on...
APC Wireless announced it closed a deal late last week to purchase the recently bankrupt MVNO Movida Communications Inc. for an undisclosed sum.Movida, which targeted the Hispanic market, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware court earlier this month, blaming a "costly and...
If MVNOs had a theme song, it would probably be "Another One Bites the Dust." Movida Communications Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week in a Delaware court, blaming a "costly and restrictive" mobile virtual network operator agreement with Sprint Nextel Corp. for...
I'm no prognosticator, nor do I have any special powers that allow me to see into the future. But I am really good at guessing. After laying that all on the table, I would like to provide my general view of the wireless space...
Virgin Mobile USA Inc. is to unroll a set of new pricing plans that streamlines some of its pay-as-you-go offerings and enhances features included in monthly plans.The move comes less than two weeks after the company's stock was hammered for failing to meet Wall...
Virgin Mobile USA Inc. stock dropped more than 53% from its closing price after it reported a $14.7 million loss in the fourth quarter. The mobile virtual network operator did, however, report net income of $4.2 million for the full year, making 2007 the...
Virgin Mobile USA Inc. stock dropped more than 53% from its closing price yesterday after it reported a $14.7 million loss in the fourth quarter. The mobile virtual network operator (MNVO) did, however, report net income of $4.2 million for the full year, making...
Mobile virtual network operator Helio scored $171 million in revenue during 2007, way up from the $46 million in revenue the company reported in 2006.However, the company's net loss also continues to widen: In 2006, Helio's net loss was $192 million, and in 2007...
ROK Entertainment Group Inc. said it has broken off negotiations to acquire fledgling mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Xero Mobile Inc.ROK, a U.K.-based mobile media firm, provides live and on-demand video to wireless users around the world. The company in September began talks with...
EarthLink Inc. has officially shut down all operations related to its municipal Wi-Fi projects that hit the skids last summer. Making good on earlier promises, the company is looking for potential buyers after writing down a $20.7 million charge on discontinued operations related to...
