Helio to launch in March or April?

So Telecoms Korea is reporting that Helio, the MVNO de rigueur formerly known as SK-Earthlink, is aiming to launch in March or April, and they're lining up hot Korean phones left and right, including a Pantech codenamed "Hero," VK's 650C (which we saw before), and a new Samsung handset (which would be something rather tasty from Korea, no doubt). One SK representative even made mention of adding WiFi to these Korean handsets so they bode better in the high-end American market. Oh, you tease!

[Thanks, AFD]

[OCNeil @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:53PM]

Asia is not taking over the world, big corperation are. Helio is and will be using Verizon and Sprint Networks. Yes 1900mhz not 1700mhz for now. Companies like T-mobile and other GSM providers will be trying to win the right to intergrade GSM/with WCDMA. Nokia and ohter companies have phones like N80 that have 850/900/1800/1900/ and 2100/1900 WCDMA. The 1700mhz will be auctioned off soon I am interested in seeing how it plays out.

[Amy Madden @ Apr 26th 2006 2:26PM]

I am excited Helio is getting underway finally.

This past May I attended a Power Korea Concert (Korean Pop Music Concert in LA) where Helio was advertising itself with many representatives and booths ---- marketing Koreans mostly it seems. I mean I was one of the only non Asians at the monster Concert. Since most of the marketing right now is done in LA (where the 2nd biggest Korean population is- other then Korea)... it makes me wonder if other communities will pick this up.

There are still many questions I have about the provider, even when I talked to the officers passing out informatin about the Helio provider/phones.

Where is the next place Helio phones plan to launch?
What are the prices?
You guys all know where I am going with this... hehe

Anyways, excited like others to finally get Korean phones into the US Market!! Its about damn- time!!!

[Justin @ Feb 1st 2006 11:42AM]

I've been dying for Helio to launch for months - can't wait!

[Jamar @ Feb 1st 2006 11:54AM]

I can't believe no one else has thought of this yet, but does anyone think that they will use R-UIMs in their phones? I would also be sorely disappointed if they use the same system that they use in Korea- the ESN in a database linked to the phone instead of being written on the phone itself. I would like to use the CDMA phones that I get from China to use here. Also, I wonder if they will use 1700MHz here instead of 800MHz?

[ucif @ Feb 1st 2006 1:43PM]

I am a spammer: [e-mail]

[Antonia @ Feb 1st 2006 2:04PM]

Asia is taking over the world!!!

[kbs @ Feb 1st 2006 4:20PM]

jamar - no helio will not be able to use 1700 mhz cdma phones. helio is mvno with verizon or sprint service i believe. either way they both do not have 1700mhz cdma. i think we'll see the same system with esn database b/c verizon and sprint use them and they will be the network for the helio. maybe helio will be more flex about using unlocked phones from asia (korea most likely) but hell i can't wait for this to come out so i can sign up... 82!82!82!

[chris @ Feb 1st 2006 5:41PM]

"SK" telecoms not "SO" telecoms

[Jamar @ Feb 1st 2006 11:38PM]

I meant that in Korea, your ESN is not written on the phone, and instead you are given the MIN (I think) which corresponds to the ESN in a database maintained by SK Telecom, not easily accessible by the average user.