Virgin Mobile USA confirms negotiations with SK Telecom

Just yesterday SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM) made an official announcement claiming that rumors regarding a possible merger between Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) and Helio were “groundless.” Today, however, is another story altogether.

Turns out the two companies, Virgin Mobile USA and SK Telecom, are actually in early talks to hash out possible strategic partnerships. One scenario has SK Telecom buying Virgin Mobile USA and injecting it with a big enough cash infusion to actually buy Helio. Whether these preliminary negotiations will lead to an eventual buy-out of Virgin Mobile USA, resulting in a stronger MVNO presence from SK Telecom, remains to be seen. Virgin Mobile USA is keeping mum on the issue until any solid agreement is reached.

Helio would do well to get in good with Virgin Mobile USA’s huge US MVNO footprint. And, the deal would give SK Telecom a serious presence in the US.

[Via: MocoNews]