Editor's Note: Welcome to our Monday feature, Analyst Angle. We've collected a group of the industry's leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. In the coming weeks look for columns from Jupiter Research's Julie Ask, iGR's Iain...
IF 2006 WAS THE YEAR OF THE LAUNCH for mobile virtual network operators, then 2007 has so far been the Year of the Crash.The last few months have brought a screeching halt to the MVNO hype that dominated 2005 and most of 2006, when...
Xero Mobile Inc., the mobile virtual network operator in terminal pre-launch mode, is being eyed by ROK Entertainment Group.ROK CEO Laurence Alexander said he is negotiating to acquire Xero, which has long planned-and, thus far, failed-to deploy an ad-subsidized service for college students. Xero...
The Walt Disney Co. is shutting down its remaining mobile virtual network operator, Disney Mobile, as of Dec. 31. The company announced this morning that it would dismantle Disney Mobile and would explore "a new business model for its content and services that might...
Virgin Mobile USA Inc. again adjusted the price of its proposed initial public offering, and outlined the financial details of the plan.According to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Virgin Mobile plans to offer 27.5 million shares for between $15 and $17...
The next big thing in mobile virtual network operators may not look much like the MVNOs that have been launching-and sometimes crashing-in the past couple of years. With the hype around the space settling into caution, observers see a new kind of MVNO-like partnership...
Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. has received a fresh commitment of funds from South Korean co-parent SK Telecom, to the tune of $270 million. The funding does not include a matching commitment from Helio's other owner, EarthLink Inc.EarthLink said it is in discussions...
Mobile virtual network operator Disney Mobile has been well-received by parents, but lacks scale and may see some changes to its business model, according to remarks by Walt Disney Co.'s senior executive VP and CFO Tom Stagg at a Merrill Lynch conference this week....
Editor's Note: Welcome to our Monday feature, Analyst Angle. We've collected a group of the industry's leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. In the coming weeks look for columns from Jupiter Research's Julie Ask, iGR's Iain...
Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. cut about 5% of its workforce, mostly in its field sales team, the company confirmed following media reports of the move.The cuts amount to around 100 positions, and Helio spokesman Rick Heineman described them as being part of...
Mobile virtual network operator Working Assets Wireless announced it will begin offering a solar-powered cellphone charger for free for a limited time. The company said the offering is part of its effort to help subscribers "connect to progressive causes.""If we want to reverse the...
Despite the tumultuous nature of the business, it appears the mobile virtual network operator market hasn't lost the interest of private equity and venture capitalists. Movida Communications Inc. announced that it received $40 million in financing from a group of new and existing investors.The...
Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. has partnered with Intercasting to offer its customers direct access from select handsets to a range of social-networking sites. The service is initially available on three handsets, with more to come. The sites include general blog and networking sites such...
Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. added to its handset vendor list by announcing plans to add LG Electronics Co.'s "Aloha" handset to its lineup later this month. The handset, which is set to retail for $35 , marks the first deal between the two companies...
Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. continued to expand its handset portfolio with the "Fin" from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a thin clamshell priced at $175, based on a current discount. According to Helio, the Fin is the thinnest folding phone in the United...
Working Assets launched its latest cause-oriented mobile virtual network operator, teaming with the left-leaning People For the American Way to launch Democracy Wireless.The MVNO provides service through Sprint Nextel Corp.'s network and is marketed as an alternative to "other cellphone providers that contribute to...
hedge*hog*ging v. Interrupting conversations in an office environmentby poking your head over the top of the cube.While there is plenty of coverage on the FCC's 700 MHz auction rules throughout this issue, early betting around the RCR Wireless News' world headquarters has this auction...
Amp'd Mobile Inc. went dark last week, after filing for bankruptcy and being unable to raise sufficient funds to carry it through reorganization.The company joins Mobile ESPN in the annals of failed mobile virtual network operators, and its customers were stuck with shiny paperweights...
Hello! And welcome to our Thursday column, Worst of the Week. There's a lot of nutty stuff that goes on in this industry, so this column is a chance for us at RCRNews.com to rant and rave about whatever rubs us the wrong way....
As a service shut-off deadline looms, Amp'd Mobile Inc. customers now have an out: Prexar Mobile, a small mobile virtual network operator managed by a nationwide CLEC, signed a deal to acquire Amp'd Mobile's customers. Prexar is hoping the boost to its business will...
Despite the widely recognized success of Amp'd Mobile Inc.'s large portfolio of original content, a source at the company has told RCR Wireless News that less than 1% of the company's $360 million total budget was spent on such endeavors.This revelation, which comes as...
Are there lessons to be learned following Amp'd Mobile Inc.'s rapid fall from the grace of mobile entertainment? Will new and existing players be more hesitant in their pursuit of mobile, more conservative in their investment on made-for-mobile production?Analysts say the mobile entertainment market...
WITH VIRGIN MOBILE USA L.L.C. SEEKING A $500 MILLION INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING, the company is looking to complete the first IPO of a mobile virtual network operator in the United States. The IPO market has been stronger this year than in recent years, which...
AS AMP'D MOBILE INC. WINDS DOWN its mobile virtual network operator service, questions loom about the health of the MVNO space.Bankrupt Amp'd Mobile has halted customer service and was on the verge of cutting off network access to its customers entirely last week, before...
