and Virgin Mobile USA, a leading national carrier of wireless services with no annual contracts, today announced the launch of Local Mobile™ on the Virgin Mobile USA network. Virgin Mobile USA’s more than five million customers can now leverage the power of Local Mobile directly from all 3G Virgin Mobile USA handsets.

Local Mobile is an ad-supported local mobile site that provides users with easy access to directory services and search results for local businesses, products and services via their mobile internet service.

“We are pleased that Virgin Mobile USA has integrated Local Mobile into its wireless network catalog,” said Bruce Crair, Local.com president and COO. “This partnership allows Virgin Mobile USA customers to easily access relevant local business information from their mobile devices, and is part of Local.com’s efforts to expand the reach of our Local Mobile product to consumers nationwide.”

“Virgin Mobile USA is happy to offer Local Mobile to our customers as we continue to broaden the depth of local based services and advertising search capabilities. We know this is an area that many of our customers are looking to their wireless carrier to provide, as part of their on-the-go lifestyle,” said Yomi Uaboi, product manager, data access for Virgin Mobile USA.

Local.com partnered with Trilibis Mobile, a leading provider of mobile community applications and enabling technologies, to develop and deploy Local Mobile, which is listed in Virgin Mobile USA’s mobile web directory.

Local Mobile enables users to access:

1. Local business information based on simple “what” and “where” directory search
2. Business profile pages, complete with mapping
3. Driving directions
4. Click-to-call functionality
5. Listings sent to a mobile phone or device via SMS
6. Results sorted by relevance, distance or name

The Kelsey Group forecasts that U.S. mobile search advertising revenues will grow to $1.4 billion by 2012.

Local Mobile’s patent pending local search algorithms provide users with the most relevant search results for local business, products and services. Local.com announced in July 2007 that it was granted U.S. Patent No. 7,200,413 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This patent covers a method of responding to enhanced directory assistance inquiries using various protocols, including voice-enabled and SMS systems. The method is designed to monetize those local searches.

About Local.com

Local.com is one of the largest local search network in the United States. The company uses patented technologies to provide over 19 million consumers each month with the most relevant search results for local businesses, products and services on Local.com and over 700 regional media sites. Businesses can target ready-to-purchase consumers using a variety of advertising products. The company’s Local Mobile™ provides local search results to mobile phones and wireless devices. 

About Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.

Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than five million 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.

Information Source:    Business Wire