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Sprint-Nextel paying Virgin Mobile more to ramp up subscribers
Listen, we know that something's going on with Sprint -- take the move toward leased access for WiMAX on Clear and the recent big sale of cell towers, for example -- but this is just getting fishier and fishier. Now, it looks like Sprint is trying to up its total subscriber count by paying Virgin Mobile an additional $2 per customer it signs through the end of the year while also dropping the minimum wireless services tab it was previously obligated to pay. Apparently it takes about 11 -- yes, eleven -- Virgin customers to equal the revenue generated from just one Sprint customer, and since the carrier's organic subscriber tally has been on the decline lately, maybe it's starting to rely on its MVNOs to pick up some of the slack.[Via mocoNews]
NTT DoCoMo and Vertu team up on Vertu Club MVNO
Vertu's been eying the Japanese market for months on end now, but we had no idea it would really go diving in headfirst like this. Okay, so we actually did, but we did our best to just blot it out for fear of it coming true. Now, the deed has been done, and Vertu has selected NTT DoCoMo to "provide communication services to Vertu customers." The MVNO deal will launch in Q2 2009, and it'll flatteringly be called Vertu Club. Details of the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but we are told that Vertu will open its very first store in Japan (Ginza Flagship Store) in February. Hey, if Softbank can make it in the ultra high-end market, why can't these guys? [Warning: PDF read link][Via UnwiredView]
Nokia tying up with NTT DoCoMo for Japanese MVNO?
So Nokia has a 40-odd percent stake in the world's handset market. You know where that insanely high number isn't coming from? Japan, where the Finnish giant holds less than a 1-percent share of phone sales as it competes against domestic models from Sharp, NEC, Fujitsu, and others who've traditionally ruled over FOMA with an iron fist. We think that we can probably chalk that up to the simple fact that Nokia doesn't produce many (okay, any) wide VGA flip phones with one-seg TV tuners, but they're thinking bigger -- way bigger -- to the tune of a self-branded MVNO that'd operate on NTT DoCoMo's expansive network. A Japanese paper is reporting that the virtual network will launch next spring, initially with high-end models designed to establish name recognition in a market where it currently has none; Vertu is just starting to set up shop over there, so we're assuming they don't mean ridiculously high-end, but high-end in the sense that the spec sheets won't get laughed right out of town.[Via Unwired View, thanks Robin of Loxley]
Virgin Mobile USA falls into non-compliance on NYSE, plans to get back on track
Virgin Mobile USA was one of the few outfits out there who managed to post a Q3 net profit, but even that couldn't help it avoid the unfortunate delivery of a non-compliance letter from the New York Stock Exchange. Just a few days before it slashed ten percent of its workforce, the company was notified by the NYSE that it was "not in compliance with certain listing criteria." More specifically, it's considered "below the applicable standards because the average market capitalization of its Class A common stock and substantial equivalents, over a period of 30 trading days, is less than $100 million." Now, it has 45 days to respond with a business plan that demonstrates its ability to get back into compliance within 18 months. Virgin Mobile USA has already texted (at least that's what we heard) the bigwigs on Wall Street with a confirmation that it would be working to get back on track, but even the best intentions fall through sometimes. Godspeed, VM.[Via mocoNews]
Virgin Mobile trims 10 percent of workforce
With acquisitions frequently come layoffs, and Virgin Mobile's submitting to that ages-old tradition today by announcing a workforce reduction of 45 folks in its New Jersey and California offices -- a total of about 10 percent of its 400-strong team. With the closure of the company's Helio buy, it makes sense that there'd be some redundancy, and indeed, the company cites Helio along with its transition to an IBM-contracted IT infrastructure as the justification for the layoffs. The move comes despite Virgin Mobile USA having post a strong quarter, so while Virgin appears to be in solid shape, they're making like most of corporate America and battening the hatches for a presumably brutal '09.
Virgin Mobile USA posts 8% subscriber growth, $4.1 million net profit in Q3
Hey, who says everyone loses during tough times? After Virgin Mobile USA crawled through a miserable Q2, things are looking up for the recent acquirer of Helio. The outfit reported 821,491 gross additions to its subscriber list, which marks a respectable 8% year-over-year increase. Furthermore, the company somehow managed to amass a Q3 net profit of $4.1 million, which contrasts starkly with the $7.4 million loss that it posted a year ago. The only down news of the day was that its average revenue per user in the third quarter fell 2% from a year earlier to $20.19, but given that its Q4 forecast shows it notching a revenue increase from 6% to 9%, we suppose it's all good in the neighborhood.[Via RCRWireless]
MetroPCS expands coverage with Unlimited Nationwide plan
So, you like talkin', do you? What's that? Not a fan of contracts? Looks like MetroPCS may just have something right down your alley with the new Unlimited Nationwide plan. Said plan enables subscribers to chat in an unlimited fashion in over 300 cities in the contiguous United States without any contract whatsoever, and best of all, the expanded network will be included at no additional charge in the carrier's current $45 and $50 service plans. For those on cheaper qualified plans, the luxury can be added for $5 per month. Interested? The go-live date is November 10th.[Via phonescoop]
Cox to enter cellphone biz, link handsets to other cable-related services
We know, you're just dying to say this is a complete shock, but we're here to inform you that it's not. If you'll recall, Cox dug deep to snatch up a decent block of spectrum in this year's 700MHz auction, and it even went so far as to promise a differentiated product that would eventually integrate with its other content and services. Sure enough, it's keeping its word. After spending $500 million on wireless capacity in its markets, president Pat Esser says it's time to turn things on. By relying on Cox's own 3G network (along with Sprint's, initially), the carrier will offer up an undisclosed amount of handsets that will "include a network address book that automatically synchronizes with home PCs" and allow remote programming of one's DVR. Furthermore, users will be able to access e-mail and voicemail that they receive at home right on their mobile, and ideally, subscribers could watch TV shows right on their handsets. Get ready for an awkward new rival in the wireless space beginning, um, anytime now.
AWS-capable Nokia 1606 flip phone arrives on Cricket
Nokia 1606's isn't a new creature, but it is a new member of the quickly expanding Cricket family. The AWS-capable flip phone pretty much sticks to the basic, boasting just a 160 x 128 resolution display (internal) / 96 x 32 pixel monochrome LCD (external), a voice recorder, 3.5-hours of talk time (11 days in standby) and weighs just 2.68-ounces. If that's enough to suit you, head to nearest Cricket shop and hand over $129.99 plus any applicable taxes.[Via phonescoop]
MetroPCS Screen-it service puts a name to shock callers
Go figure -- MetroPCS, a carrier far from the forefront of most people's mind, is bringing about a feature that couldn't possibly arrive soon enough. The Screen-it service "displays the calling party's name on a subscriber's wireless phone," regardless of whether he / she has said person in their contact list. We know, you landline users have been enjoying this for eons, but up until now, we cellular customers have had to Google phone numbers before the fourth ring in order to find out if it's our dentist or our credit card company calling. Hey, big boys -- can we this stuff out to everyone else not associated with MetroPCS? Thanks.[Via phonescoop]
Boost Mobile slashes prepaid rates, will modify unlimited usage plan
Sprint Nextel's Boost Mobile is doing anything it can to attract consumers, as evidenced by the 50% off fire sale on prepaid minutes. Yep, as of right now, Boost Mobile customers can phone up fellow sumo wrestlers while running up a bill at just $0.10 per minute compared to $0.20 per minute in the past. A Wall Street Journal report also states that it will be "modifying its unlimited-usage plan, though the company declined to specify how." Of note, the "new plans" may only be available in "select cities," so you should probably phone up a CSR or something to make sure you're really getting the lower rate. Or you can just holler "Where U AT?!" and see what kind of response you get.[Via phonescoop]
Samsung's AWS-compatible JetSet launches on Cricket
Remember that SCH-R550 that appeared in the FCC's lair back in June? It's okay, we know you don't, but Cricket is looking to jar your memory by introducing it as the Samsung JetSet. The AWS-compatible handset packs a 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth capabilities, built-in multimedia player, a microSD card slot and little else (but we suppose that's the point). This feather-weight morsel of a clamshell can be picked up now for $199.99.
Leap's Cricket unveils unique per-day PAYGo prepaid service
Cricket Communications is well known for offering contract-less / prepaid options for wireless users who'd rather not be shackled down by any given carrier, and today we're checking out yet another option for those still not satisfied by current offerings. The PAYGo service, which is being launched initially in Cincinnati / Dayton, Savannah / Hilton Head and Houston, offers customers the ability to pay for three varying levels of usage on a per-day basis. The Cricket EZ, UTStarcom CDM7126 and Samsung MyShot can be activated on the plan, which only charges you for days you make or receive calls / text messages. For $1 per day, subscribers get unlimited local calling along with voicemail, caller ID and three-way calling, while the $2 per day plan adds unlimited text / picture messaging; the $3 / day plan throws in limited US long distance, international texting to 100+ nations and mobile web / directory assistance.[Via phonescoop]
Helio Ocean 2 arrives at the FCC
Looks like we're inching ever closer to getting our paws on the mythical Helio Ocean 2 -- the fun-loving regulators at the FCC just added a Pantech OZII dual-slider handset with Helio branding to their all-knowing database. Nothing you couldn't have guessed here -- QVGA display, EV-DO, 2 megapixel cam with video, full HTML browser, A2DP support -- but hey, this is The Phone That Could Have But Didn't Save Helio, you know? It's alright to be excited.[Via Phone Scoop]
Virgin Shuttle hands-on
As 3G sliders go, the Shuttle won't rank terribly high on anyone's hot list, but as Virgin Mobile handsets go, specifically -- well, the Shuttle is pure gold. We toyed with it a bit at CTIA, and yeah, okay, it's not going to blow any minds. But if we put on our prepaid hats for just a moment, we can see how this is exactly what the doctor ordered: it's definitely the best-looking and feeling handset in Virgin's lineup, and at the same time, it doesn't come close to encroaching on Helio's higher-end territory. Granted, the 3G support doesn't mean terribly much considering the small screen (and we dare not mention "Virgin" and "tether" in the same sentence), so the Shuttle's gonna have to push units on the strength of its strapping good looks and support for Buddy Beacon. We think it'll manage.%Gallery-31640%
Cricket offers EV-DO access for $40 per month... with no contract
We'll be honest -- we weren't all that jazzed about Cricket's unlimited video clip service at $5 per month, but this is something we can get into. The animalistic carrier has just launched an unlimited mobile broadband package in several Texas cities, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City and St. Louis (all of its other cities will get gifted by year's end) which users can tap into for just $40 / month. Interestingly, the company is actually encouraging consumers to really take advantage of that "unlimited" bit, noting that it is aiming to put EV-DO (read: broadband) into the hands of lower-income (or budget-minded) citizens that can't afford to be strapped down by a contract. Of note, there are two big limitations: you can't use the service to make VoIP calls, and you can't run a server. Fair enough, Cricket![Via phonescoop]
Helio's Ocean 2 coming -- but not until 2009
This is one of those classic tales of joy and sorrow -- a tale of a phone that could've been Helio's undisputed flagship model of the year, a phone that could've saved the scrappy little MVNO from Virgin Mobile's gaping maw (alright, it couldn't have even come close to doing that, but we're running with it for the drama factor). On the high side, we've now heard confirmation straight from the source that the Ocean 2 is, in fact, a real device, but the problem is that it won't be coming out until next year because they "want to put it out when it's the best it can be." It's sure looking just about the "best it can be" from the videos we've seen recently -- and frankly, we think they should just throw this out there while kicking off development on an Ocean 3 ASAP -- but it looks like the decision's already been made, and we all know there's no such thing as moving a release date forward.[Thanks, Blade G]
Virgin launches Shuttle, boldly goes where no Virgin handset has gone before
We don't like the obvious pun any more than the next guy, but in the case of Virgin Mobile USA's Shuttle, we've got to admit: the spacecraft analogies are totally appropriate. First off, it's unusually sleek (dare we say attractive?) for a Virgin set -- but far more importantly, it marks the MVNO's very first foray into the crazy, fast-paced world of EV-DO-based 3G, a nod to the fact that it'd probably like to close the gap a bit with its Helio division. Speaking of Helio, the PCD-sourced offers Helio's Buddy Beacon service and also serves up a 1.3-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, expandable memory, and a 2-inch screen for watching girls with blonde hair blowing in the breeze. It'll be available exclusively through Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile starting September 28.
Helio is dead, long live Helio
The deed is done, and Virgin Mobile is wasting no time giving its fresh acquisition a giant bear-hug to welcome it to the family. Helio is now "Helio by Virgin Mobile," tagged with the line "Plan To Have It All" -- hopefully a nod to the fact that Virgin plans to keep Helio's offerings distanced from Virgin as a higher-end, feature-rich carrier that can compliment Virgin's typical lineup of ultra-cheap prepaid goods. To kick things off, Helio is now offering an upgrade to its $80 A La Carte plan, boosting the 1,500 included minutes to a limitless bucket -- nice, we'll take it -- and Virgin is stealing some of Helio's mojo to offer the Shuttle, a new handset marketed under the Virgin name that'll integrate Helio's Buddy Beacon service. Just stay on track with the Ocean 2, fellas, and everything's cool by us.
Virgin Mobile tracks down Buzzd for its deck
When we think about high-tech, newfangled location-based services on a carrier, Virgin Mobile USA typically isn't that carrier -- but hey, Virgin and its basic handsets can't stay stuck in the stone age forever, especially now that even the most basic, ultra-cheap prepaid phones being offered stateside commonly do Bluetooth, GPS, and everything in between. Enter Buzzd, which is dropping on Virgin's content deck to give users quick and easy access to entertainment around their current location. Now, true to Virgin's simple roots, users are still going to have to enter a location to get started, but let's be honest: these guys can't ignore the GPS trend forever. Let us know when you're ready for 2008, guys![Via Phone Scoop]
