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Dec 01 2006 - 04:40 PM ET | MVNO
Low-cost mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) TracFone is not happy with the recent Library Congress official approval of phone unlocking. TracFone is a pre-paid carrier and prices its locked handsets at a loss. Since those handsets are locked to TracFone...
Nov 14 2006 - 03:13 PM ET | Data, MVNO
Boost loopt is a new location aware social network service from Boost Mobile and loopt. Using the phone's built-in GPS, Boost loopt automatically updates your location for a private list of friends. Users can update their status and geo-tag locations...
Nov 09 2006 - 12:00 AM ET | MVNO, Samsung
Upstart mobile virtual network operator Helio has launched the Samsung Drift, it's first new handset since the company's launch six months ago. The Drift is Helio's first handset from a manufacturer well known in the USA, the other two were...
Virgin Mobile USA has started a soft launch for the UTStarcom Slice. The Slice moniker is Virgin Mobile's work, UTStarcom called the handset "PCS-1400". Like most handsets on Virgin Mobile, the Slice focuses on being affordable. But the slim handset...
Oct 16 2006 - 12:35 AM ET | MVNO
Several high-profile mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) have launched over the past year, including now-defunct Mobile ESPN. While investors came up with lofty subscriber figures, the operators are discovering that it's much harder than first thought to attract a large...
Oct 04 2006 - 04:10 PM ET | 3G, Data, MVNO
Fledgling mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Helio has announced a data card called the Hybrid. With the Hybrid, Helio becomes the first MVNO to offer a data card. The card itself is based off the Sierra AirCard 580. Despite the...
Oct 02 2006 - 04:17 PM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Xero Mobile has sold itself to newly minted corporation Advanced Mobile Communications. Xero is a pre-launch mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that wants to give away mobile service in exchange for showing users advertisements. MobileTracker has covered Xero several times...
Sep 28 2006 - 01:51 PM ET | MVNO
ESPN has decided to pull the plug on its fledgling MVNO and end operations of Mobile ESPN. New sales of handsets and service have been discontinued already, current subscribers will continue to have voice and data services through the end...
Sep 25 2006 - 05:36 PM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Upstart MVNO Amp'd Mobile has inked a distribution deal with Circuit City. Over 600 Circuit City stores will begin selling pre-paid Amp'd Mobile phones starting October 1st. Amp'd is already being sold in Best Buy stores and the company sees...
Sep 13 2006 - 06:21 PM ET | CTIA, MVNO
CTIA IT 2006 -- Amp'd Mobile has announced the inevitable introduction of advertisements in its video content. Herbal Essences will be the first advertiser. Specifics of the ads, such as length, were not announced. Along with the ads Amp'd is...
Sep 06 2006 - 04:32 PM ET | MVNO
Amp'd Mobile has issued a new subscriber forecast of 100,000-150,000 customers by the end of 2006. Like many recent mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), Amp'd got off to a much slower start than internal projections predicted. Amp'd has its focus...
Aug 30 2006 - 03:40 PM ET | Data, MVNO
Mobile ESPN has announced live video of up to 25 college football games per month during the upcoming season. Starting next month the upstart mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) will have an exclusive on the top market college games. The...
Sprint Nextel has planned to slow the growth of Boost Mobile (a wholly owned subsidiary) because the MVNO is outpacing growth of the more lucrative post paid business and will soon start straining the iDEN network. While MVNOs have gotten...
Aug 13 2006 - 06:17 PM ET | MVNO
Disney has cancelled its plans to launch a UK version of Disney Mobile. The company had announced the plan back in April before the official launch of Disney Mobile in the US market. The Telegraph reports: Disney blamed a difficult...
Aug 13 2006 - 04:16 PM ET | MVNO
Three men who were found with 1,000 pre-paid cell phones have been arraigned on terrorism related charges. The men have Texas drivers licenses, but were found in Michigan attempting to buy 80 TracFone handsets from Wal-Mart using cash. Authorities were...
Aug 09 2006 - 02:40 PM ET | MVNO
Disney just got a new handset approved by the FCC, the D100. While the D100 sports very strong Disney branded, the handset is not actually destined for Disney Mobile. The phone supports both 12 and 4 button keypads and features...
Aug 07 2006 - 04:37 PM ET | MVNO
Entertainment centric MVNO Amp'd Mobile will launch in Canada next year thanks to a partnership with TELUS. Service is scheduled to begin in early 2007 and will run on TELUS' EV-DO network. Interestingly for a MVNO carrier, the agreement Amp'd...
Aug 07 2006 - 04:26 PM ET | MVNO
Helio has launched a new promotion for MySpace users that does away with service contracts and allows customers to sign up with, "No strings attached". Helio is a partnership between Earthlink and SK Telecom, but has failed to attract many...
Jul 17 2006 - 02:57 PM ET | MVNO
Korean-American backed Helio has launched a new TV ad that will air on various cable channels with large youth audiences. The ad mentioned MySpace Mobile and that you shouldn't call it a phone, call it a Helio. The Kickflip is...
EMBARQ (the new name of Sprint's now indie wireline division) has announced a new feature called One Voicemail. The service integrates wireline and wireless voicemail into one box. EMBARQ is offering wireless service through a MVNO agreement with Sprint. A...
Jul 06 2006 - 11:14 AM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Amp'd Mobile has signed a deal with Inphonic that will get Amp'd Mobile service and handsets sold through Inphonic's channels. Inphonic is the leading online sales agent for mobile phones and controls popular websites such as WireFly.com. Despite an influx...
Jun 30 2006 - 10:24 AM ET | MVNO, Samsung
Sports savvy MVNO Mobile ESPN launched its second phone this week, the Samsung ACE. The company reportedly went "back to the drawing board" after failing to draw man subscribers after its launch earlier this year. With the ACE, Mobile ESPN...
Jun 24 2006 - 12:20 PM ET | MVNO
Ad-for-service startup MVNO Xero Mobile announced that it is complying with requests for information from the SEC. The company became a publically traded [XRMB.PK] company through a reverse merger and is thus subject to regulation from the SEC. Xero's business...
Jun 20 2006 - 12:17 AM ET | MVNO
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the recent string of media oriented mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are having a hard time signing up customers. A multitude of the niche targeted carriers have launched recently, including some heavily financed...
Jun 14 2006 - 01:21 PM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Amp'd Mobile has signed a distribution deal with BestBuy that will have the upstart carrier's products in BestBuy stores sometime this summer. Amp'd is a content-centric mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that launched late last year. Despite hundreds of millions...
Jun 13 2006 - 09:16 AM ET | MVNO
Disney Mobile has soft-launched and is now selling service through its website. The mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has been in the works for quite some time and is taking aim at the emerging market of selling kid-phones to parents....
Jun 01 2006 - 01:13 PM ET | MVNO
Youth-centric MVNO Amp'd Mobile has added pre-paid service to its lineup. Previously the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) relied soley on post-paid service contracts. Pricing runs as follows: Calls - $.10/minute SMS/MMS - $.10/$.25 Data usage - $.375/megabyte Push-to-talk -...
May 04 2006 - 03:56 PM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Voce, a niche luxury mobile virtual network operator, has begun offering its service in L.A. The soft launch was invite only and participation was capped at around 500 people. Voce is targeting affluent users that are looking only for...
May 02 2006 - 12:14 AM ET | MVNO
Helio has officially opened for business. The mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a partnership between SK Telecom and Earthlink. Helio is aiming to bring Korean level mobile technology to the US market. The company hopes to have 3 million...
Apr 29 2006 - 02:14 PM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Disney Mobile hasn't officially launched in the US yet, but the company is already planning an expansion into the UK. Disney teamed up with O2 to provide network coverage in the UK, Sprint Nextel provides the coverage for Disney...
Apr 13 2006 - 02:12 PM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Youth-centric MVNO Amp'd Mobile has closed a $150 million C-round of venture capital financing. This brings the total amount invested in Amp'd to over $250 million. Not only is the sum substantial for a mobile virtual network operator, but this...
Apr 13 2006 - 10:16 AM ET | MVNO
Upstart MVNO Helio today announced a partnership with Yahoo that will ensure Yahoo's suite of web services will be integrated into Helio's platform. The Yahoo services covered include Search, Mail, Messenger, News and Sports. Helio is the joint partnership between...
Despite Sprint's vow to slow down the rate of new MVNO agreements, the top cable companies in the US are all set to launch self-branded mobile service on the Sprint Nextel network. The deal was originally announced back in November...
Apr 06 2006 - 11:17 PM ET | CTIA, MVNO
CTIA 2006 -- GreatCall is a new MVNO that will cater its services primarily to older users that want simple voice service. Several carriers are targeting young people, but this is the first to make seniors its focus. At launch...
CTIA 2006 -- A Sprint Nextel executive said during a discussion this morning that his company doesn't expect to add many new mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the near future. Currently Sprint is the leading US carrier for...
Apr 05 2006 - 01:09 PM ET | CTIA, MVNO
CTIA 2006 -- Disney finally unveiled its plans for Disney Mobile, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that will market itself towards parents that want to keep better track of their kids. Unlike some other kid-targeted handsets that focus on...
CTIA 2006 -- Mobile ESPN is about to get a big boost, the company just announced an agreement with Sprint that will give the MVNO space in 500 bricks-and-mortar Sprint stores. Mobile ESPN uses the Sprint network, but until...
Mar 31 2006 - 09:17 AM ET | Data, MVNO
Mobile ESPN announced its exclusive content lineup for the 2006 Major League Baseball season. Since the carrier was launched after the end of the 2005 season, baseball wasn't a major part of the initial content. Mobile ESPN's MLB coverage...
Mar 29 2006 - 03:16 PM ET | MVNO
Another week and another MVNO launches, this time it's XE Mobile. The official launch will come next week at CTIA, but the service is available now from the company's website. XE Mobile is targeting college students and is an affiliate...
Mar 29 2006 - 12:07 PM ET | Apple, MVNO, Rumor
Pam Duffey, telecoms analyst at Visiongain, believes that Apple will design and brand its own mobile phone and that this handset will launch with upstart MVNO Helio. Helio is the partnership between Earthlink and SK Telecom that aims to bring...
Mar 28 2006 - 09:54 AM ET | MVNO, Motorola
Cool.Prepaid, one of the latest Mobile Virtual Network Operators, launched recently stocking all Motorola handsets. Yesterday it was revealed that Motorola terminated its relationship with Cool.Prepaid, effectively cutting it off from all its phones, including the flagship RAZR that...
Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Cool.Prepaid launched today with several Motorola handsets and a distribution deal with Sears. The upstart carrier uses the Cingular network and offers what it's calling the lowest airtime rates for domestic and international calling....
Mar 19 2006 - 04:47 PM ET | MVNO, Rumor
MocoNews notes that an online gambling company stated in its annual report that it intends to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) for gambling. MVNOs often go after a niche audience, such as sports nuts (Mobile ESPN) and...
Mar 15 2006 - 10:03 AM ET | Backpage, MVNO
Amp'd Mobile and MTV have teamed up to broadcast the first live concert for mobile subscribers. Fall Out Boy, The All-American Rejects and Hawthorne Heights will perform on March 19th. The full show will be made available for free...
Mar 15 2006 - 09:27 AM ET | MVNO
The Financial Times sheds more light on a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) named Xero Mobile. The company aims to provide free airtime provided that its users put up with advertisements. Interestingly enough, Xero Mobile was founded by...
Feb 16 2006 - 03:49 AM ET | MVNO
Upstart MVNO Helio today announced its two launch phones. The company is a partnership between SK Telecom and Earthlink and plans to launch service in the US this Spring. It aims to bring Korean like technology to the US market...
Virgin mobile has announced two new packages for their Mobile services in the U.S.. First up is a new service called "Inner Circle". Essentially this package is aimed at teens to enable unlimited nights and weekends calling to three phone...
Feb 07 2006 - 07:06 PM ET | MVNO
Another day another MVNO, this time Kajeet. The plan is to attract part of the expanding youth market, from pre-teen to early teenagers. This is a little younger than most youth MVNOs (Amp'd, Boost, etc) target, but there will...
Feb 03 2006 - 03:00 PM ET | MVNO
Mobile ESPN will launch in BestBuy stores nationwide on Superbowl Sunday. The mobile virtual network operator has been doing sales online only since November. Currently the carrier stocks one phone, the Samsung MVP. The handset sports EV-DO, a memory...
Jan 07 2006 - 07:02 AM ET | Backpage, CES, MVNO
CES 2006 - Amp'd Mobile announced another round of content deals, this time including almost all of the big US broadcasters. The content will range from behind the scenes features to interviews and previews. So far you cannot view full...
Dec 19 2005 - 12:33 PM ET | MVNO
Amp'd Mobile is fresh off a soft launch, but is already announcing new content deals. This time the company isn't licensing content but creating it. Amp'd aims to create the largest collection of original made-for-mobile content and has signed up...
Dec 15 2005 - 07:08 PM ET | MVNO
After months of speculation and hype (not to mention tons of venture capital dollars), Amp'd Mobile has officially launched. The company is a mobile virtual network operator using Verizon Wireless' network that is targeting young people. Amp'd is will eventually...
Dec 14 2005 - 02:32 PM ET | MVNO
Amp'd Mobile has announced content deals this week with MTV, CBS and UPN. MTV's addition is especially important considering the company also controls Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, MTV2, mtvU, TV Land, Spike TV, Logo and iFILM. CBS will bring clips...
Dec 07 2005 - 05:39 PM ET | MVNO
Amp'd Mobile will begin a soft launch on December 15. The highly anticipated MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) has captured lots of buzz thanks to its high profile financing and upper-tier phone technology. Before launching the company secured $67 million...
Nov 28 2005 - 12:23 AM ET | MVNO
ESPN appears to have launched its mobile phone service dubbed Mobile ESPN. While the service wasn't slated to go national until next year, there is one phone now for sale online. Retail sales are still expected to launch through BestBuy...
Oct 26 2005 - 01:05 PM ET | MVNO
SK-Earthlink, the yet-to-launch MVNO, has rebranded itself as Helio. The company aims to bring Korean type mobile technology to the US. All phones on Helio will have EV-DO and advanced data services. The company has secured a massive $440 million...
Oct 25 2005 - 02:34 PM ET | MVNO
Mobile ESPN's launch plans have been announced, for most of the country the service will be available on February 5, 2006 through BestBuy stores. Some markets will launch starting November 1st. Mobile ESPN is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)...
ESPN revealed some more details about the launch of Mobile ESPN, a sports themed mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). The first change is that the service will now be called Mobile ESPN--prior to today it was called ESPN Mobile. Nationwide...
Aug 09 2005 - 02:41 PM ET | MVNO
Amp'd Mobile, an MVNO that expects to launch later this year, yesterday announced that it has raised $67 million in funding. This includes an investment from Universal Music Group which hints that Universal will be a major part of Amp'd...
Jul 25 2005 - 03:44 PM ET | 3G, Kyocera, MVNO
Amp'd Mobile, a youth oriented MVNO startup, today announced the first phone that it will carry once the service launches later this year. The Kyocera Jet Multimedia Phone is a customized version of the Slider Remix, with one major addition...
As expected, Disney today announced plans for a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) deal with Sprint PCS later today. Disney Mobile will be focused at kids and families. It will launch next year, but other than that very little information...
May 06 2005 - 10:46 AM ET | MVNO
Hop-on, best known for making low-cost mobile phones, is starting a US based mobile virtual network operating. Hop-on prepaid is targeting the youth segment, immigrants and travelers. Voice traffic is charged at a flat 15 cents per minute. Hop-on plans...
May 02 2005 - 03:01 PM ET | MVNO, Rumor
SK-EarthLink, the upcoming 3G mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), is rumored to have a WiFi enabled handset in its future. The phone will function as a normal mobile handset unless in the range of a WiFi hotspot and then it...
Apr 20 2005 - 10:47 AM ET | MVNO
The Cisneros Group has accelerated plans for its spanish MVNO called Movida, launching it today in Phoenix and San Diego. Because of response, the group plans to launch Movida in more markets ahead of schedule. Sold through Wal-Mart, Movida phones...
Mar 24 2005 - 05:01 PM ET | MVNO
SK Telecom and EarthLink have finalized their MVNO called SK-EarthLink. In January the two companies announced plans to create a MVNO that will carry high-end CDMA phones with advanced data services. The new company has secured $440 million of partner...
Mar 15 2005 - 01:08 AM ET | MVNO
Amp'd is a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that will use Verizon Wireless' network, including EV-DO high-speed data. All Amp'd phones will include push-to-talk, EV-DO, a camera and memory card slot. Both Kyocera and Motorola will provide phones at...
Boost Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) using Nextel's iDEN network, announced a new retro phone accessory today. It plugs in like a regular headset but duplicates the look of a landline receiver. A push-to-talk button is included. Boost...
Early this morning, we reported that SBC agreed to purchase AT&T for $16 billion, and in the report we briefly mentioned AT&T's plans to use its AT&T Wireless brand name under a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). It appears that...
Jan 31 2005 - 01:20 PM ET | MVNO
Boost Mobile has expanded its push-to-talk service to support carriers in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Peru. The Canadian service is through TELUS while the South American service is through NII holdings. bq. An international surcharge of $.20 a minute...
Jan 26 2005 - 02:54 PM ET | MVNO
SK Telecom and Earthlink today announced plans to form a new US based mobile virtual network operator, MVNO, for high-end mobile phones: bq. In South Korea, kids on the street are using their mobile phones to listen to music, watch...
Dec 29 2004 - 12:05 PM ET | MVNO, Rumor
The Wall Street Journal says [paid subscription req.]that Time Warner Cable is close to inking an agreement with Sprint to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). While the story isn't new (MobileTracker has been covering this rumor since June)...
Dec 07 2004 - 09:47 AM ET | MVNO, Nextel
Boost Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) based on the Nextel network, announced today that the company now has over 1 million customers. The company is marketing towards youth, a demographic that is not typically on Nextel (because of...
Dec 01 2004 - 02:12 PM ET | MVNO
ESPN will team up with Sprint PCS to start a mobile virtual network operator called ESPN Mobile. Disney was widely expected to move in the MNVO space, so the announcemnet today comes at no surprise (Disney owns ESPN). As with...
Richard Branson, head of the Virgin Group, may be trying to bring his successful Virgin Mobile cell phone brand to India. India is one of the largest upcoming mobile phone markets in the world and the country already has more...
Virgin Mobile and Nokia have signed a deal to bring a CDMA Nokia phone to market from Virgin Mobile by 2005. Currently Virgin Mobile only has phones from Kyocera and Audiovox. Nokia hasn't been a major CDMA maker in quite...
Nov 08 2004 - 12:44 AM ET | MVNO
The Wall Street Journal has a piece [Subscription req.] on the possibility of cable companies teaming up to offer cellular service. According to the page B1 piece, Powerhouse cable providers like Comcast, Time Warne, Cox and Charter have been in...
Jun 23 2004 - 01:08 PM ET | MVNO, Rumor
A rumor is making its way around that cable giant Time Warner Cable wants into the cellular market. It would enter as an MVNO, and piggy back on an established carrier's network. Offering wireless service would enable Time Warner to...
Virgin Group announced a deal to brings its service to Canada. Like Virgin Mobile USA, Virgin Mobile Canada will operate as a prepaid MVNO (buy bulk time on another carrier's network). The partnership is with Bell Mobility. We'll post more...
