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 with [...]

While no official announcement has yet been made, the Financial Times is reporting that a source close to the situation has indicated that a tentative agreement has been struck between Virgin Mobile USA and Helio. The deal would have Helio essentially being absorbed within Virgin Mobile USA's larger wireless network. Virgin Mobile USA and Helio have [...]

Virgin Mobile USA is poised to break further into the US wireless market. Following Virgin Mobile's dismal financial performance recently, Virgin Mobile UK launched their  "Liberty SIM" pre-paid calling plan. And, now Virgin Mobile USA is taking another crack at pre-paid offerings in the US. The new pre-paid offerings from Virgin Mobile USA are made that [...]

Things aren't going all that well for our favorite IPO-scandal monger in the States. Virgin Mobile USA announced disappointing subscriber growth in Q1 2008 and cut its 2008 earnings forecast by 40%, resulting in a drop in Virgin's share prices. So, in an effort to boost revenues, and hopefully profits, in other markets, Virgin Mobile's [...]

Who doesn’t love waiting? Better yet, who doesn’t love waiting in a cellphone retailer’s store while a team of bumbling sales-reps and customer service advisers work feverishly to get your newly acquired mobile phone activated on a particular network? What’s that you say? You cringe at the thought of waiting for your next cellphone? Well, following on the industry-pioneering work of Apple and the iPhone , Virgin Mobile USA is rolling out over-the-air self-activating mobile phones. You see, Virgin Mobile, like Apple, realized that people hate waiting to have their new phone activated. The popular MVNO is working with Telespree to pre-program their hardware offerings to not only cut back on customer-service costs, but also activate itself on Virgin Mobile USA’s network - all without the need for any bumbling sales reps or over-the-phone activation assistance. If Virgin Mobile can do it, there should be no reason why the big dogs in the industry couldn’t roll out similar services. Robots clean our floors, allow remote surgery, explore Mars - but the top wireless carriers in the business still rely on half-informed employees to simply activate a cellphone? The iPhone is a great example of how mobile phone activation should be - enter your own credit information while you kick back with a martini in the comfort of your own home. Oh wait, maybe big-box retailers should offer full-bar service with every new phone purchase. Yea, that’s the ticket. [Via: Mobile Tech News ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Virgin Mobile USA partners with YahooVirgin Mobile USA raises $412 million; Market still cautious on MVNOsVirgin Mobile USA partners with Facebook; Intros "My Mobile" appVirgin Mobile USA files for IPOVirgin Mobile USA lays "Aloha" with its first LG handset

While in-flight mobile phone use in the US is likely grounded for the forseeable future , it looks like air-travelers will be able to get their airborne internet-fix soon. JetBlue Airways has announced that they’ll be trialling free internet access - email and instant messages - on Tuesday. The test-trial will only be offered on one of the airline’s aircraft, but that single airplane with internet access will be a much-welcomed change from traditionally data- and voice-free flights. American Airlines, Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines will be launching their own fleet-wide internet-access services in the near term. The service will likely cost $10 per flight. Virgin will give passengers access to email through their in-seat entertainment system, while other airlines will be offering WiFi connections in the cabin. Internet access will only be enabled while at cruising altitude - the service will be turned off while the plane is on the tarmac and during the take-off and landing phases of the flight (we wouldn’t want any fiery crashes just so little Jimmy can get his MySpace-fix, now would we?). There’s no word on whether VoIP calls will be allowed, but here’s to hoping! [Via: Computer World ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:FAA puts its foot down on in-flight cell phone calls - it ain't gonna happenEuropean Union may be getting in-flight cellphone use soonAirCell Down But Not Out - Will Provide In-Flight 'WiFi In The Sky'Europe gives airlines green-light for in-flight cell phone calls!Qantas To Test In-Flight Text Messaging

So, remember when Virgin Mobile went public and reported incredible earnings on their IPO? You know, the IPO where Virgin Mobile banked $412.5 million. Well, it seems that Virgin Mobile’s IPO performance was based on some slightly fudged information. And, by slightly fudged, we mean they misreported their Q3 earnings - which have been revised to reflect a $7.3 Million loss. The news of Virgin Mobile’s Q3 financial performance revision caused a 14.4% drop in shares. Presumably disgruntled investors have sparked a class-action investigation into Virgin Mobile’s ethics in this matter. But, to Virgin Mobile’s credit, they’ve issued a statement saying that the allegations of purposeful misreporting their financial data are “completely without merit.” Right, we’re sure the hundreds of millions of potential stock-earnings had nothing to do with the all-too-coincidental financial goof. Good thing this is America where you’re considered innocent until proven guilty. [Via RCRNews ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Virgin Mobile USA files for IPOVirgin Mobile USA to increase IPO offering to $506 MillionVirgin Mobile USA raises $412 million; Market still cautious on MVNOsVirgin Mobile Australia sued for insinuating Texas teen's virginityVirgin Mobile USA partners with Facebook; Intros "My Mobile" app