Voce indeed dead, execs let go by phone disconnections

Alright, we'll definitely cop to having broken off a relationship or two via text message, but we don't think we've ever heard of a high-ranking executive discovering he'd been fired when his phone stopped working -- which is exactly what happened to Roy Kosuge, COO of Voce, that "luxury" MVNO. We'd heard rumors of Voce's demise, but it looks like ol' Roy wasn't so plugged in, only finding out that his company was dead when his phone stopped making calls. Of course, when a company's chief operating officer doesn't know that you're about to kill the lights, it's a safe bet that things are pretty screwed up, so if you were among the few who signed up for Voce's premium services, we'd recommend calling your credit card company immed -- oh, right. Sorry about that.

[Craig B. @ Feb 6th 2008 4:55PM]

The website is still up. Isn't that strange? Well, I guess I won't be applying for their "Controller" job anytime soon...

See: http://www.voce.com/careers_departments/finance.html

[kal326 @ Feb 6th 2008 5:12PM]

Huh I doubt that lack of that position was key to the down fall of the company, but they do certainly have a lot of sales positions open...

[pquistgard @ Feb 6th 2008 5:02PM]

Grammar: please change to "things ARE pretty screwed up".

[Matt Smith @ Feb 6th 2008 5:06PM]

What is the "oh, right." part of the
"oh, right. Sorry about that."
sentence in reference to? No way for them to get their money back? They weren't allowed to pay with Credit Card in the first place?

[kojo87 @ Feb 6th 2008 5:08PM]

i think its "oh right your phone doesn't work and you can't call anyone."

[austin @ Feb 6th 2008 5:08PM]

THEY DONT HAVE A PHONE

heres your sign

[Mitch @ Feb 6th 2008 5:09PM]

I think they are refering to "calling your credit card company" as in you cannot because your service has been cut off :-)

[W @ Feb 6th 2008 5:36PM]

The phone from which they would be calling on doesn't work any longer.

[Matt Smith @ Feb 6th 2008 5:13PM]

ahhhh... I get it now... slipped right by me that they wouldn't have another phone to use... Thanks!

[Iain @ Feb 6th 2008 6:19PM]

@Austin: nice reference.

[Craig @ Feb 6th 2008 5:08PM]

I can't say I have much sympathy for any pretentious twat that would buy a Prada-branded phone, but I can't believe how the company has apparently just melted away. I find it hard to believe that the COO was in the dark about this...maybe he's just trying to cover his ass by claiming "I'm a victim TOO!"

[dcny @ Feb 6th 2008 5:17PM]

Thats fucked up when the COO doesn't even know there going out of business, wonder did any other execs not know.

[Drew @ Feb 6th 2008 5:31PM]

So any bunch of A$$hats can collects funds, set up shop, close down, overcharge clients, and walk away?

First Amp'd and now this.

[muyiwa @ Feb 6th 2008 5:34PM]

OK...I actually just found out 'voce' is a phone company...i've seen that picture on engadget a couple of times but that guy on the picture always tell me to go away...i really don't know how to feel about their misfortune but then again i was at their website ( http://www.voce.com/service/Testimonials.html ) and all I can say is that they really deserved it...

[Craig B. @ Feb 6th 2008 6:21PM]

omfg I just read them now. Ya. Wow. I guess they just didn't have any real ones. But if you look at their "contact" page (http://www.voce.com/press.html), it literally shows the following:

"
For media inquires, please contact:
.
.
. or .
.

For investor inquiries, please contact:
.
.
.
"

[emjoi @ Feb 6th 2008 6:46PM]

Why leave the page up at all?
It's almost like put up a page saying "No, you can't contact us! Suffer Suckers!"

Anyway that guy in the photo should go get glasses or contact lenses or laser eye surgery or something. Long sighted people who are too vain to do anything about their vision problems. *sheesh*

[Prokanda @ Feb 6th 2008 5:35PM]

this is what happens when your ad posters have some emo-fairy model checking out his myspace "angles" pic he just took with his $600 dolce/prada/chanel phone......

oh yeah.. and you're a crap MVNO based on an already shoddy GSM network.... when will these companies learn to stop investing in piggy-backing MVNOs?

[James @ Feb 6th 2008 6:45PM]

Yes, because muttonchops and plugs in your ears is obviously the way to achieve greatness.

[Jamar @ Feb 6th 2008 9:08PM]

Virgin Mobile seems to be a pretty good investment. Is it not an MVNO?

[Tim @ Feb 6th 2008 5:38PM]

I'm guessing they had a lawyer or two on their customer list. www.voceclassaction.com

[gerbick @ Feb 6th 2008 5:46PM]

That's definitely not a good look when the COO finds out like that. Who was really running the show? And who was earning a king's share and not running the show?

[justin @ Feb 6th 2008 7:10PM]

Usually, MVNOs make sense...but this was was ridiculous. Unsubsidized phones and overpriced service guised as "Luxury"? If I wanted to get the most out of my N95, I would have to pay $155 a month?

Yeah...what a business model.

I take offense to their insinuation that Riverside doesn't have a five star restaurant. The Mission Inn (where several Presidents have stayed) has a great restaurant. Kirin Ichiban is a fine Sushi restauraunt and Sevilla has awesome Spanish food.

[diulei @ Feb 7th 2008 12:42AM]

Well, everyone knows Riverside is the asshole of LA.

/runs and ducks

[Trip @ Feb 6th 2008 10:53PM]

I work for a wireless retail store. I had a customer come in the other day trying to port from these guys. He's yet to get his number over, but there was some information as to the number now pertaining to Keystone...anyone?

[albi @ Feb 7th 2008 12:11AM]

haha, very nice ending

[randy @ Feb 7th 2008 12:40AM]

Ugh, why do things become "premium" when somebody brings the photo into the photoshop and makes them mildly desaturated it like this?

[nagu @ Feb 19th 2008 4:19PM]

I'm a little behind on this story, but now I'm following its trail around the web. I happen to know Roy Kosuge, and he's been wrapping this business with Voce up for months.

Voce definitely hit on bad times (like many MVNOs), but it's bewildering to come across a post with a totally fabricated story about Kosuge not knowing what was going on. I'm sure it makes for a dramatic intro to the piece, but too bad no one actually decided to confirm any of it with him.

[nettlesgp @ Mar 1st 2008 4:56AM]

Hey everyone...

Ok, so I have to admit, yes the service had a reputation for being "pretentious," but I am a former customer and have to admit I became extremely reliant in the "concierge" service.

In addition to those services I was fortunate to be a "Legacy" customer and have the $200 a month unlimited plan. I've had cellular phones for quite a while and I certainly know that it is very easy to spend well over $200 a month on service.

I hope that another service like this comes around. I would even like to talk to former employees and management about investing/starting a "working" operation similar to VOCE.