Helio posts Q&A to inform customers about Virgin Mobile takeover
By Will Park on Saturday, June 28th, 2008 at 2:10 PM PST In Announcements, Helio, Partnerships, Virgin Mobile
It’s basically a done deal, pending regulatory approval, that is. Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM)’s acquisition of Helio has been expected to happen for some time now, and now that it’s finally official, there are bound to be handfuls of Helio customers with questions about the takeover. More like 170,000 handfuls of Helio customers, to be more precise.
So, rather than leaving it up to Helio customers to find out the hard way that they’ll be subject to an ETF (early termination fee) if they decide to jump ship from Helio amidst the Virgin Mobile USA takeover, Helio has put together a little Q&A fact-sheet.
Most notable is that Helio is still accepting new activations and will be keeping current contracts intact – that means ETFs are still in place, people.
Keep reading to find out the details on what Helio customers can expect during these confusing times.
Two great companies team up to bring you more.
HELIO and Virgin Mobile USA are teaming up to combine our strengths and deliver a better mobile experience. On June 27th Virgin Mobile USA announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire HELIO.
HELIO would gain access to Virgin Mobile USA’s extensive distribution network and broad customer base, while Virgin Mobile USA would gain access to HELIO’s exclusive, high-end devices and premium services. Both companies look forward to coming together to bring exciting prepaid and postpaid opportunities to their customers.
Q: What does this mean for current HELIO members? Can I still use my HELIO device, while keeping my HELIO service plan and number?
A: Current service plans will continue without interruption. HELIO members are at the center of this transaction and we’ll continue to bring them the innovative mobile services they’ve come to expect.
Q: Can new members still sign up for HELIO service?
A: Absolutely. HELIO will continue to offer exclusive, high-end devices and our innovative All-In plans.
Q: Will the HELIO brand be retained, or will everything migrate to Virgin Mobile USA?
A: Over time, we expect that all aspects of the customer experience will be integrated under the Virgin Mobile USA brand. Integration of the direct sales channel will begin immediately, and we expect that existing HELIO products and services will soon be offered through the Virgin Mobile USA website at www.virginmobileusa.com.
Q: So what’s next?
A: We’re excited by the possibilities our new, combined team offers. We have some big ideas, but as you can imagine, a little bit of housekeeping is in order before we share them. Stay tuned!
Q: Does this affect my current contract with HELIO in any way? When Virgin Mobile USA does acquire HELIO, can I end my current contract without paying an early termination fee (ETF)?
A: HELIO contracts remain in effect and unchanged by this transaction. HELIO members who wish to end their contract early will still be subject to an early termination fee (ETF).
[Via: BGR]
I’m so outraged that Helio can survive in the US, much less command a selling price of $39 million from Virgin. Any web search will yield hundreds of angry Helio customers. Helio has no integrity as an operation. They use false advertising, false charges, false promises from customer service reps. They should be ashamed of their conduct.
Try porting a number from Helio and the agents of other companies will tell you of porting nightmares involving Helio. I ported my number from Sprint to Helio and then after two years of paying my bill faithfully to helio, they played games to deny porting my number back to Sprint.