Helio, the mobile telecommunications company best known for its advanced mobile services and exclusive high-end connection devices. Today, Virgin Mobile USA unveiled its new branding message to highlight the acquisition: "Helio By Virgin Mobile: Plan To Have It All."

Immediate plans include the launch of the Shuttle, Virgin Mobile USA's first handset enabled to integrate such Helio services as Buddy Beacon™; and the enhancement of Helio's $80 A La Carte plan, effective today, to include Unlimited Minutes rather than the current 1500 minute allocation. The new terms of the Helio A La Carte plan, which mirror Virgin Mobile USA's Totally Unlimited prepaid voice plan at $79.99, will be available for current and future Helio members. More information is available at http://www.helio.com.

"We are bringing our customer-first approach to postpaid with the goal of empowering our Customers and Members with value, choice, and flexibility," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile USA. "These initial steps, delivering the best value in postpaid for Unlimited calling, are just signals of things to come as we look to make Helio products and services even more accessible and attractive.

"Helio devices like the Ocean and its brilliant data services are alive and well, and there will be opportunities in the immediate future for crossover benefits," he added. "We look forward to revealing how future integration will allow wireless customers to 'plan to have it all,' and intend to build the best customer experience overall in wireless, taking advantage of the best of both companies."

The transition for Helio's approximate 170,000 postpaid members and Virgin Mobile's 5 million prepaid customers has been seamless. For now, the two customer care services and sales operations are separate, with further integration planned over the next several months.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers customers control, flexibility and choice through Virgin Mobile's Plans Without Annual Contracts and postpaid offerings through Helio By Virgin Mobile, with national coverage for both powered by the Sprint PCS network.

About Helio

Helio, LLC, now part of Virgin Mobile USA, has built a reputation as the mobile brand for the Internet generation with advanced mobile services, exclusive high-end, connection devices like the Ocean, and integrated pricing on a nationwide high-speed 3G network. Helio was launched in 2006 as a joint venture between EarthLink and SK Telecom, one of the world's most advanced wireless carriers and now an investor in Virgin Mobile USA.

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom is a top wireless communication provider in Korea. The company established in 1984, was the first to launch and commercialize CDMA, CDMA 2001x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, and it currently provides cellular, wireless internet, mobile media, global roaming service and more.


Information Source:    PRNewswire-FirstCall