MVNO

Virtual cell phone operators Virgin Mobile USA and Helio are rumored to be in merger talks, a move that could bring a lot of benefits to both companies.

The tie-up between the two MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators, was first reported Thursday by the wireless blog MocoNews. According to the blog, SK Telecom, one of Helio's parent companies, would buy out Virgin Mobile USA and then Virgin Mobile would buy Helio in an all-stock transaction.

As the economy tightens and other larger wireless carriers look to consolidate, it makes sense for these smaller players, who essentially resell service … Read more

We first heard of Kajeet at CTIA last year--it's a mobile virtual network operator targeted toward families, especially those with tweens. In the wake of family-focused MVNOs getting the boot (Disney Mobile was shut down late last year, for example), it's interesting to see Kajeet still going strong. Today, Kajeet just introduced a new GPS Phone Locator service, which lets you use satellite technology to track down your child's location via Web-based maps. Parents can even schedule automatic location checks at certain times of the day. This also makes Kajeet the only prepaid carrier in the country … Read more

Sky Dayton, the founder and CEO of Helio, is stepping down as the top executive of the hip cell phone company.

The company sent out a press release late Monday saying that Dayton, who also founded the Internet service provider EarthLink and Wi-Fi hotspot provider Boingo, would relinquish his CEO position. Wonhee Sull, formerly Helio's president and chief operating officer, will take over as CEO. And Dayton will become chairman of the company, replacing Jinwoo So, president of global business at SK Telecom.

Helio, a joint venture of EarthLink and the South Korean phone company SK Telecom, officially launched its service in May 2006. … Read more

The Walt Disney Co. pulled the plug Thursday on its Disney Mobile phone service.

Disney said the service will no longer be available after December 31, but it might offer some of the specially designed software and applications through another wireless operator.

Disney came on the mobile scene about 18 months ago with a special phone service designed to disseminate its content and create a slew of applications designed for parents and families. Its Family Center allows parents to track their kids and limit how and when they can use their phones. It also allows parents to set spending limits … Read more

Internet service provider EarthLink said Tuesday that it would lay off approximately 900 employees as the company restructures in an attempt to boost its sagging stock price.

EarthLink will lose about half its staff in the restructuring as it shuts down operations in Orlando, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Harrisburg, Pa., and San Francisco. It will also substantially reduce its presence in Pasadena, Calif., and Atlanta, the company said in a press release Tuesday.

The reductions are expected to cost the company $60 million to $70 million. But it will save EarthLink $25 million to $35 million through the remainder of 2007, … Read more

So it finally happened--Amp'd Mobile has shuttered its doors to the world (or at least it's close to doing so). Along with a handy FAQ on its site on how to handle the transition, it appears that Amp'd Mobile is also attempting to bridge a move to Prexar Mobile, which is USA Telephone's mobile division. Prexar Mobile has apparently bought out certain portions of Amp'd Mobile, prompting the customer switch. Former Amp'd customers can keep their phones and numbers, and they'll want to switch over to one of Prexar's voice plans, … Read more

It seems like Amp'd Mobile customers received a good-bye message earlier today, indicating that the carrier may be shutting down its operation no later than 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning. Even though the company filed for bankruptcy protection in June, it looks like the end is nigh for the MVNO targeting the young and urban. There's a very handy Q&A page on Amp'd Mobile's site that lists options for existing customers (How do I port my number, and so forth). So if you're an Amp'd Mobile customer, you should definitely check … Read more

You may have seen plenty of ads for Amp'd Mobile both in print and on the silver screen, but it looks like those ads simply weren't making them enough money. Amp'd Mobile, an MVNO targeting the young and urban, has filed for bankruptcy protection last Friday stating that their "back-end infrastructure was unable to keep up with customer demand." MocoNews.net reports that Amp'd Mobile apparently owes Verizon Wireless (the network they're piggybacking on) around $33 million, with several more million owed to other creditors. Ouch. Business is expected to continue as usual, … Read more

Amp'd Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator, has filed for Chapter 11, saying it couldn't expand its infrastructure quickly enough to meet demand.

But some bloggers have questioned that rationale. Amp'd is one of several MVNOs that have struggled to find a footing in the US market. MVNOs offer cellular service by leasing space on the networks of larger competitors, offering their own billing and marketing. Many of them tout special features that are added on top of the standard mobile service; Amp'd offers streaming audio and video, among other services.

Amp'd has done a … Read more