Earthlink CEO says cutting off Helio was a "difficult decision"

It's hardly been a secret that Helio was causing some problems for Earthlink, but the company's CEO has just now weighed in himself on the matter, offering some comments on the situation and Helio's now former CEO Sky Dayton in one of those always exciting earnings calls. As mocoNews reports, Earthlink's Rolla Huff says the company "made hard decisions around getting our cost structure down," including the "very difficult decision...to not continue making incremental investments in Helio." Huff apparently laid none of the blame on Helio's Sky Dayton, however, saying simply that "Sky has a history of creating and building strong brands and he's done a great job at that with Helio," and that they "very much appreciate his willingness to be involved in getting Helio to this point in its life cycle." Of course, that was hardly the entire purpose of the call, and those concerned with the nitty gritty of earnings details can get their fix by hitting up the read link below.

[fuzi @ Feb 8th 2008 1:22PM]

he's a scientologist

[Fred @ Feb 8th 2008 1:22PM]

I didn't know Helio was making problems for anyone. What the heck?

[TJ Johnson @ Feb 8th 2008 1:28PM]

Sorry to be a grammar tool but there may be a possible typo...

"Huff apparently laid none ON the blame on Helio's Sky Dayton"

Took me a bit to figure out what was being said so it may trip some others up, as well.

That's all.

[Justin @ Feb 8th 2008 1:28PM]

MVNOs are an expensive business. It literally costs hundreds of millions of dollars to build out a new brand, devices, services and subscriber base. EarthLink simply doesn't have the cash to play in that game. SK Telecom, on the other hand, does - which is why they've taken a majority stake in (and operational control of) Helio.

[Darkroom @ Feb 8th 2008 3:04PM]

is that the guy from Nip/Tuck?

[Derek Welty @ Feb 8th 2008 3:09PM]

TJ Johnson, thats not a typo, it makes sense the way it is

[Abuzar @ Feb 8th 2008 4:14PM]

See TJ was kinda a Grammar Nazi, but at least he was right. This was the original post:

"Huff apparently laid none on the blame on Helio's Sky Dayton"

It should have read

:Huff apparently laid none of the blame on Helio's Sky Dayton:

Engadget fixed it but still, it was NOT fine the way it was.

[Dave @ Feb 8th 2008 3:10PM]

With names like "Sky Dalton" and "Rolla Huff" it sounds like they should be selling adult movies over cellphones anyway.

[Reid B. @ Feb 8th 2008 3:53PM]

Being that Sky founded Earthlink and elink is a Scientology haven, is it any wonder there are only kind words for Sky?

[Nate @ Feb 8th 2008 3:56PM]

nice rug

[Scott Neary @ Feb 9th 2008 12:10AM]

He looks like a young Harrison Ford. What good is a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides, attacking that battle station is not my idea of courage. It's more like, suicide.