2008 marked the end for many a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), most going under in a
flood of bankruptcies or getting
consumed but their parent networks. It sure seems like no company in its right mind would want to wade back into that graveyard, but Zer01 is thinking differently, pledging to launch a new network within a network next month at
CTIA 2009. Its services will be provided by AT&T, but it'll undercut the competition with a combination of a $69.95 monthly unlimited voice and data plan and a complete lack of contracts, as well as unlimited international calling (to 40 countries) for just an extra $10. What's the catch? The company will rely on a VOIP application for routing of
all calls, and right now that app only works on Windows Mobile. That'll be a roadblock for many, and given AT&T's somewhat limited (and generally
flaky) 3G data coverage we're a little concerned about call quality, but just the same can't wait to see how this one turns out.
[Via
Unwired View and
PC Magazine]
Movistar is already Telefonica's mobile brand around the world, but the Telefonica name lives on for some of the company's other services like wireline -- for now, anyhow. At a recent directors' meeting in Madrid, Telefonica announced that all of its services around the world would be rebranded as Movistar, both mobile and otherwise; only O2 will survive the consolidation in the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia along with the Vivo brand in Brazil. If you're getting all teary-eyed about the change, take solace in the knowledge that Telefonica will live on as the corporate parent of the whole mess -- just don't expect to be picking up a Telefonica payphone in Spain anymore.
