Warren, N.J. - Virgin Mobile USA, the wireless telecom services provider, has signed a deal to acquire Helio, a wireless services joint venture between EarthLink (NASD: ELNK) and SK Telecom, for about $39 million in Virgin Mobile stock. Helio has about 170,000 existing subscribers with an average revenue per user of about $80, and a handset inventory of about 85,000 units with a book value of about $17 million.

Atlanta - According to published reports on Wednesday, South Korea-based SK Telecom and Virgin Mobile USA are in strategic negotiations regarding Helio, SK's wireless services joint venture with EarthLink, as well as other business assets in the U.S.

New York - Mobile virtual network operator Helio said on Wednesday that it has partnered with Buzzd, a local entertainment service that provides information on bars, clubs and restaurants, to offer location-based suggestions to Helio subscribers. The Buzzd service offers editorially-driven content in addition to reviews and ratings from Buzzd users.

Atlanta - EarthLink, one of the largest ISPs in the U.S., on Friday confirmed that Korea's SK Telecom will invest up to $270 million in Helio, the companies' wireless voice and data services joint venture.

Atlanta - EarthLink announced that it will invest up to $100 million of additional funds in its wireless voice and data services joint venture, Helio.

Los Angeles - Helio, a joint venture between SK Telecom and EarthLink that offers 3G mobile phone and Internet service on its own line of devices, said this week that it has enabled subscribers to upload video taken with their Helio devices to YouTube in just two clicks. The feature will be free for Helio members who have established a YouTube mobile profile.

Orlando, Fla. - WiderThan, a unit of RealNetworks that delivers mobile entertainment services, announced on Monday that it has signed new deals to power mobile music services for Helio and Rogers Wireless. WiderThan's Music-on-Demand platform will allow Helio Music members to download full tracks and ringback tones over-the-air to their phones. The platform will also be used by Canada's Rogers Wireless to power the company's MusicStore, which offers both a la carte and subscription-based downloads.

Los Angeles - Helio, a wireless network venture between Earthlink and South Korea's SK Telecom, on Tuesday for the first time revealed subscriber figures, stating that it expects to pass 100,000 subscribers early in the second quarter of 2007. The company added that its average revenue per user (APRU) is over $100 per month, above industry averages. Los Angeles-based Helio also announced the launch of a new mobile music service, which will deliver $1.99 tracks from all four major labels over-the-air to mobile phones. The company will also soon launch a direct-to-PC download option, costing 99 cents per track.