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Disney, Softbank Team on Branded Phone Service in Japan

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 3, 2008 - 2:16pm.

Tokyo - Disney (NYSE: DIS) has partnered with Softbank to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service in Japan, featuring handsets manufactured by Sharp that feature Mickey Mouse and buttons that lead directly to Disney content, AFP reports. The launch of a Disney-branded MVNO service in Japan follows several unsuccessful similar efforts in the U.S., with the failed Disney Mobile and ESPN Mobile services.

tags: Mobile | Disney | MVNO | Softbank | Cellphones |

Disney to Shutter Disney Mobile Phone Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 27, 2007 - 10:31am.

North Hollywood, Calif. - The Walt Disney Internet Group announced on Thursday that it will shutter its Disney Mobile phone service, opting instead to offer its Family Center service through a partnership with another U.S. carrier.

tags: Mobile | Disney | MVNO | Disney Mobile | Cellphones |

Amp'd Mobile Files for Ch. 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 4, 2007 - 11:01am.

Los Angeles - Amp'd Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that targets a youth audience with its entertainment-focused mobile phone service, has filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection.

tags: Mobile | Amp'd Mobile | MVNO | Cellphones | Bankruptcy |

Voce Hoping to Gain Traction as World’s First Luxury Wireless Service

Authored by Scott Goldberg on January 30, 2007 - 12:25pm.
Motorola PEBLVoce, self-proscribed “the world’s first premium wireless service,” arrives with a question mark: What, exactly, will the service do that I can’t find elsewhere?  At first glance the answer lacks detail.  “(Voce) combines outstanding coverage and advanced mobile devices with an unprecedented level of personalized attention and care,” says the company’s “About Us” page.  That’s a big claim for an industry that constantly updates its products and offers plenty of “luxurious” alternatives (see: Apple’s iPhone, due in June).

 
tags: T-Mobile | Wireless | Cingular | Motorola | Sprint | MVNO | Scott Goldberg | Voce | Luxury |

Disney to Shutter Mobile ESPN Service, License to Carriers Instead

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 28, 2006 - 1:52pm.
New York - Disney's ESPN sports network announced on Thursday that it will shutter its Mobile ESPN cell phone service, which offered exclusive sports video and other content on a branded phone that used bandwidth from Sprint's wireless network. The company will support existing subscribers through the end of 2006, and provide a full refund on the purchase of their Mobile ESPN phones. An analyst with Merrill Lynch said the service had attracted fewer than 30,000 subscribers; Disney projected the service would count 240,000 by the end of its first year of operation. The company's new plan is to license the Mobile ESPN application to existing service providers. "With a redefined approach we have a greater opportunity to reach millions of fans while achieving our strategic and financial goals," said Salil Mehta, an executive vice president of ESPN Enterprises.
tags: Mobile | Sports | Licensing | Video | TV | Career | Disney | Telecom | ESPN | MVNO | Closings | Mobile ESPN |

Virgin Mobile USA Taps Vibes Media for Mobile Content Marketing

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 19, 2006 - 2:38pm.
Chicago - Vibes Media, a provider of interactive text messaging and mobile content marketing programs, said on Tuesday that mobile virtual network operator Virgin Mobile USA will use its services for mobile messaging. Virgin Mobile will use Chicago-based Vibes' technology to create promotional programs using SMS, MMS, games and other mobile content like ringtones.
tags: Mobile | Marketing | MVNO | Mobile Marketing | Virgin Mobile |

Amp'd Mobile Claims 50,000 Subscribers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 18, 2006 - 1:10pm.
Los Angeles - Amp'd Mobile, a virtual mobile network operator targeting the youth and young professionals markets, announced on Monday that it added nearly 15,000 subscribers last month, and now claims nearly 50,000 subscribers. The company expects to add 20,000 to 25,000 new subscribers in September, and projects that it will count 150,000 by the end of the year. Los Angeles-based Amp'd also expects to deliver a total of more than 1 million video streams and downloads to its subscribers during 2006.
tags: Mobile | Marketing | Subscribers | Amp'd Mobile | MVNO | Cellphones | Millennials |

CNET News.com: Mobile Virtual Network Operators Struggling

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 17, 2006 - 12:55pm.
San Francisco - CNET News.com on Thursday reported on mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) like Disney Mobile, Mobile ESPN and Helio, which are struggling to attract subscribers.
tags: Mobile | Marketing | Subscriptions | Metrics | Helio | ESPN | MVNO | Boost | Cellphones | Virgin Mobile |

Amp'd Mobile Gets $7.5 Million From Telus; Service to Launch in Canada

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 4, 2006 - 12:20pm.
Vancouver - Amp'd Mobile, a virtual mobile network operator that offers a youth-targeted, entertainment-focused phone service, announced on Friday that it has partnered with Canadian telco Telus to sell Amp'd-branded services in Canada. As part of the agreement, Vancouver-based Telus Ventures has made a $7.5 million equity investment in the company. Los Angeles-based Amp'd has deals to distribute mobile entertainment content from over 200 firms, including MTV and Universal Music Group, to its subscribers. The Canadian Amp'd service is expected to launch in early 2007.
tags: Deals | Mobile | Mobile Deals | Amp'd Mobile | Telecom | MVNO | Canada | Telus | Investments |

Amp'd Mobile to Sell Phone Service in Best Buy Stores

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 14, 2006 - 1:21pm.
Los Angeles - Amp'd Mobile, the provider of a youth-oriented 3G phone service that features exclusive entertainment content, announced on Wednesday that it has obtained a distribution agreement with retailer Best Buy, and will begin selling its service in Best Buy stores this summer.
tags: Deals | Mobile | Mobile Deals | CE | Amp'd Mobile | MVNO | Best Buy | Retail | Cell Plans |

Disney Launches Family-oriented Mobile Phone Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 13, 2006 - 2:15pm.
North Hollywood, Calif. - The Walt Disney Company on Tuesday launched Disney Mobile, its family-oriented U.S. mobile phone service that piggybacks on Sprint's nationwide network.
tags: Launches | Pricing | Mobile | Mobile Launches | Disney | MVNO | Disney Mobile | Family | Parental Controls |

Sprint Stores to Offer Mobile ESPN Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 1, 2006 - 1:41pm.
New York - Mobile ESPN, a mobile virtual network operator, announced on Thursday that its cell phone service will now be available for purchase from 575 Sprint retail stores.
tags: Mobile | Sports | Mobile Sports | Commerce | Sprint | ESPN | MVNO | Retail | Mobile Commerce | Mobile ESPN |

Square Enix to Debut Mobile "Final Fantasy" Game on Amp'd Mobile

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 1, 2006 - 1:28pm.
Los Angeles - Japanese video game publisher Square Enix on Thursday announced that it will make its mobile game "Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode - Final Fantasy VII" available exclusively through virtual mobile network operator Amp'd Mobile during the summer of 2006.
tags: Games | Mobile | Mobile Games | Square Enix | Final Fantasy | Amp'd | MVNO | Ideaworks 3D |

Amp'd Adds "PhoneTag," "Homeland Security: Kim Jong Il Edition" Mobile Games

Authored by dmw on May 10, 2006 - 2:13am.
Los Angeles - Amp'd Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator targeting the youth and young professional markets, on Wednesday introduced two new mobile game titles it will offer its subscribers. "PhoneTag," developed with LivePlanet, is a massively multiplayer mobile game that utilizes location-based services, while "Homeland Security: Kim Jong Il Edition" is a first-person title developed internally at Amp'd.
tags: Games | Launches | Mobile | Mobile Games | Games Launches | MMO | Youth | Amp'd | MVNO | LivePlanet |

Soapbox Mobile to Power Movie Ticket Sales for Amp'd Mobile

Authored by dmw on April 4, 2006 - 4:20pm.
Carlsbad, Calif. - Soapbox Mobile announced on Thursday that mobile virtual network operator Amp'd Mobile will offer its service that lets subscribers search for movie showtimes and purchase tickets from their mobile phones. Amp'd Mobile subscribers will securely register their credit cards against their phone numbers with Soapbox, and then be able purchase tickets on their phones with a PIN number.
tags: Deals | Mobile | Video | Mobile Deals | Movies | Commerce | Tickets | Theaters | Amp'd | MVNO | Soapbox |