Helio, the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that tried to sell MySpace-branded handsets and service, has been purchased by Virgin Mobile.
After EarthLink bailed out, SK Telecom pumped an additional US$270 million into Helio in a last-ditch effort to save the struggling business.
The Helio kiosks in Ala Moana Center never looked very busy. I’m not sure how many Helio subscribers signed up in Hawaii, but the nationwide numbers had gone down to 170,000, compared to Virgin Mobile’s 5 million. Young adults seem to carry T-Mobile’s Sidekick or a Verizon phone, although the iPhone may gain traction in a few weeks with its new low price.
See this TechCrunch article titled Helio Hangs It Up for more details.
Related articles and pages on billso.com
- iPhone
- 9 June 2008: iPhone 3G
- 13 April 2008: MySpace keeps trying to sell music downloads
- 29 September 2006: ESPN sacked, Helio scrambling
Tags: ala-moana, EarthLink, Hawaii, helio, Honolulu, mobile, music, mvno, myspace, network, Oahu, social, south-korea, video, virgin
