Virgin Mobile USA has recently announced the launch of the Shuttle, the mobile operator’s first EV-DO enabled handset and their first mobile phone enabled to integrate several features from the Helio portfolio — improved access to social networks. In addition, the Shuttle is also the first Virgin Mobile’s handset to feature location-based services from uLocate…
Virgin Mobile USA partners with Buzzd to provide location-based services to its users
Virgin Mobile USA teamed up with buzzd to bring the the popular location-based service / social network / city guide to its users via the no-annual contract carrier’s WAP deck. “buzzd on Virgin Mobile” is a unique new service that allows local entertainment information to be broadcast and shared among Virgin Mobile USA customers based…
Helio rises from the flames – Virgin Mobile USA re-launches Helio
Helio has risen again! After being gobbled up by Virgin Mobile USA, Helio has emerged with new branding. Virgin Mobile USA will be pushing their newly acquired Helio brand with the slogan, “Helio By Virgin Mobile: Plan To Have It All.” Not a bad way to cater to the post-paid side of the US wireless…
Virgin Mobile USA completes acquisition of Helio
A month ago Virgin Mobile USA said that it will acquire Helio for $39 million. The Richard Branson-Sprint’s MVNO has announced that it’s a done deal. Under the terms of the agreement, Helio shareholders (SK Telecom and EarthLink) got 13 million shares of Virgin Mobile USA Class A common stock, or about $38 million based…
Helio closes all of its stores except the one in New York
In an effort to cut some of its costs and make the business more attractive to Virgin Mobile USA (part of acquisition agreement?), Helio has closed all of its stores except the one in the New York City. Apparently, the NYC store won’t be closed for now and Virgin Mobile will decide (or at least…
LG Rumor hits Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile, always looking to offer new hardware to its customers, has announced that they will be picking up the LG Rumor for its SMS text messaging users in Canada. The 17.8mm thick vertical slider features a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and speakerphone. But, the LG Rumor’s dual keypad and slide-out QWERTY keyboard design takes…
Virgin Mobile USA unveils Kyocera TNT! as an entry-level clamshell
Virgin Mobile USA really looks to be going on a US wireless industry blitz. With MVNO takeovers, new calling plans, and fresh new handsets being announced left and right, Virgin Mobile USA is on a mission to snatch-up more and more US wireless subscribers. The latest move to convince Americans to jump on Virgin Mobile’s…
Virgin Mobile USA launches the Arc
Virgin Mobile USA’s recent Helio acquisition announcement hasn’t stopped the pre-paid wireless giant from pushing out new handset offerings for its pre-pay customer-base. The latest handset to bring its low- to mid-range feature set to Virgin Mobile’s network is the UTStarcom Arc. Clad in a Black-and-Red finish, the Virgin Mobile Arc offers Bluetooth, VGA camera,…
Helio posts Q&A to inform customers about Virgin Mobile takeover
It’s basically a done deal, pending regulatory approval, that is. Virgin Mobile USA’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…
Virgin Mobile USA to acquire Helio in $39 million deal
Not completely unexpected, Virgin Mobile USA has today announced that it will indeed be taking over Helio. The MVNO joint-venture between SK Telecom and Earthlink has struggled to find even a modicum of success in a competitive and cut-throat US wireless market. And, it seems that Helio’s financial troubles have finally come to a head…