I'm seriously thinking about launching my own MVNO. I mean, how hard can it be, really? All the mobile virtual network enablers out there keep telling me it's quick, easy and cheap, so why not? I'd call it Mike's Awesome MVNO, and it would...
DURHAM, N.C.-Motricity is looking to expand its content business after raking in $40 million in venture capital. Advanced Equities Inc. led Motricity's most recent round; fellow existing investors New Enterprise Associates and Technology Crossover Ventures also participated. Motricity has raised more than $120 million...
This year is supposed to be the Year of the Launch for the new generation of mobile virtual network operators, the time when these MVNOs get on their feet and begin to gain traction in the wireless race. With several high-profile MVNOs already launched,...
Google Inc. was finally awarded a patent for speech-recognition technology that allows users to search the Internet by uttering a few words. But whether that's good news or bad news for a handful of wireless software developers is far from clear. Voice-activated technology-which for...
DURHAM, N.C.—Motricity is looking to expand its content business after raking in $40 million in venture capital. Advanced Equities Inc. led Motricity’s most recent round; fellow existing investors New Enterprise Associates and Technology Crossover Ventures also participated. The announcement follows July’s $30 million fundraising...
Alltel Corp. launched a new service offering that allows customers to select up to 10 phone numbers-wireless, landline, home or office-that they can call for free at any time of day.The My Circle program is available to Alltel subscribers on rate plans of $60...
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Alltel Corp. has launched a new service offering that allows customers to select up to 10 phone numbers—wireless, landline, home or office—that they can call for free at any time of day. The My Circle program is available to Alltel subscribers on...
NEW YORK—Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. and Virgin Records are teaming with EMI to offer four exclusive ringtones from hip-hop star Big Boi. The clips are based on four tracks from a compilation album from the Outkast member released last November. Four ringtones will be...
Soon-to-launch mobile virtual network operator Xero Mobile plans to use 2 million free handsets and discounted talk time to jump into the wireless marketplace-the catch being that the freebies are in exchange for allowing mobile advertising on the handset. The company is going to...
LAS VEGAS—Recently launched sports-oriented mobile virtual network operator Mobile ESPN L.L.C. reported a deal with network partner Sprint Nextel Corp. to expand the distribution of Mobile ESPN phones and services to at least 500 Sprint Nextel retail locations in the United States and Puerto...
LONDON—United Kingdom cable operator NTL said it reached a deal to acquire Virgin Mobile Holdings (UK) plc for $1.68 billion. The news ends months-long negotiations between the two companies. Virgin initially turned down an offer from NTL in early December, saying that the offer...
The squeeze is on, the stakes are high and the options few. Second-tier handset makers-their exact numbers globally are unclear, but there may be more than 100 players-are scrambling to survive, let alone thrive, as the top six vendors increased their market share last...
The newest player on the crowded mobile search playground is one of the most vocal. Promptu—known until this week as Agile TV—officially joined the world of wireless, delivering a voice-recognition offering designed to allow users to discover, purchase and download content over mobile phones....
The newest player on the crowded mobile search playground is one of the most vocal. Promptu-known until this week as Agile TV-officially joined the world of wireless, delivering a voice-recognition offering designed to allow users to discover, purchase and download content over mobile phones....
VANCOUVER, British Columbia—Social networking vendor AirG said it expanded its customer list to include Alltel and Amp’d Mobile. The company said it launched a mobile social networking community service with Alltel Corp. called Coolchat. Using the service, Alltel customers can chat with friends and...
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.—Sprint Nextel Corp. unveiled a new mobile calling offer that allows its wireless customers to make and receive unlimited calls from one designated wireline number, without draining their wireless minutes. The Sprint to Home plan for consumers costs $5 a month for...
UbiquiTel Inc. touted its solid fourth-quarter results last week and company officials spoke of future plans for a prepaid product and possible benefits from Sprint Nextel Corp.'s joint venture with several cable companies-even though analysts expect that the Sprint Nextel CDMA affiliate will be...
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Pyramid Research issued a cautious view of the young mobile virtual network operator market in its latest report, "MVNOs and MVNEs: Analyzing the Viability of Virtual Mobile Players." The firm said MVNOs face a variety of challenges and the segment’s financials may not...
Sprint Nextel Corp.'s Boost Mobile and wholesale channels did much of the carrier's heavy lifting in the fourth quarter, helping propel the carrier to 2 million net customer additions. The numbers put Sprint Nextel, technically, on equal footing with Verizon Wireless' record-breaking net adds,...
Virgin Mobile Holdings plc is set to be one of the first European operators to launch mobile TV services using a dedicated mobile TV network. The company, which operates a number of mobile virtual operator services around the world, laid out plans to launch...
A pair of highly anticipated mobile virtual network operators began shedding light on their planned service offerings last week as they gear up for their respective launches in the coming months. The MVNOs will join a market already crowded with the likes of Mobile...
BARCELONA, Spain—Virgin Mobile is set to be one of the first European operators to launch mobile TV services using a dedicated mobile TV network. The carrier, which operates a number of mobile virtual operator services around the world, laid out plans to launch mobile...
Warren, N.J.—Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. introduced an unlimited night and weekend calling plan that allows users to place unlimited off-peak calls to three phone numbers of their choice.The "Inner Circle" deal gives customers who sign up by April 30 unlimited night and weekend service...
Postpaid customers may take for granted their ability to outfit their phones with jazzy ring tones, flashy wallpaper and nifty games, but prepaid customers historically haven't been offered those luxuries. Increasingly, however, prepaid services are beginning to include a wider selection of downloads and...
