As more MVNOs populate the mobile landscape, it’s becoming harder for one virtual operator to distinguish itself from another. GIV is separating itself from the pack by focusing on charitable giving. Read more »
ItsOn started out selling mobile plan customization tools to carriers as a cloud-based service. Now it’s becoming a carrier, using its own cloud service to show what the world can do with individually tailored voice and data plans. Read more »
U.S. Cellular has added Wi-Fi to its mobile data toolbox. But rather than build or lease time on expensive managed hotspot networks, the Chicago carrier is working with Devicescape to tap into its virtual network of nearly 8 million open access points. Read more »
With shipments of the Galaxy S III beginning this week, mobile virtual network operator Ting has broken the curse of the budget operator: It not only has the latest iconic handset, it has the access to the latest network technology, LTE. One hurdle remains: the iPhone. Read more »
Karma not only encourages its 4G customers to share their connections with strangers, it rewards them with free bandwidth for doing so. The Dutch transplant’s social bandwidth vision now has a new convert. Venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson is participating its seed funding round. Read more »
Republic is still in beta, but it’s now a much bigger beta. The mobile virtual network operator has fine-tuned its proprietary hybrid-connection technology and Wi-Fi hotspot network with the launch of a new Motorola phone. So it’s opening up the gates to its long waiting list. Read more »
FreedomPop, a mobile virtual network operator focusing solely on data, has reached an agreement with Sprint to resell its 3G and 4G services. The deal will allow FreedomPop to trade up on its agreement with Clearwire, exchanging its limited WiMAX footprint for Sprint’s eventual near-nationwide LTE coverage. Read more »
Mobile virtual network operators are sprouting up like crazy all over the U.S. after becoming nearly extinct a few years ago. Why the renaissance? According to two of those new virtual operators, GSM Nation and TIng, the big carriers are finally letting MVNOs spread their wings. Read more »
Clearwire may be preparing to transform itself into an LTE operator, but that hasn’t stopped it from selling its WiMAX service to other carriers. The latest to jump on Clearwire’s bandwagon is MVNO Jolt Mobile, which is making the odd pairing of GSM with WiMAX. Read more »
Want to watch live TV on your Roku without subscribing to cable? Then you should take a look at Skitter, which is rolling out a low-cost live TV service for connected devices. Simliar efforts have failed in court in the past, but Skitter is completely licensed. Read more »
