Available Exclusively at Best Buy Mobile [1] New Product Expands VMU Addressable Market
WARREN, N.J., June 10, 2009 -- Virgin Mobile USA today announced the launch of Broadband2Go, a 3G nationwide wireless Internet service without an annual contract, monthly subscription or activation fee. With Broadband2Go, Virgin Mobile USA extends the popularity of prepaid cell phone service, which the company transformed, to online access.
Operating on the Sprint Nationwide Network, Broadband2Go allows access to EVDO Rev. A coverage. It will be available exclusively at Best Buy Mobile starting in late June for $149.99, and is the first prepaid broadband Internet access Best Buy Mobile is offering.
"Forget the long-term contracts, monthly bills or desperately seeking a local coffee shop for Wi-Fi. Prepaid mobile broadband is ideal for students, families on the go, freelancers, anyone who needs wireless Internet access...and wants to pay only when they use it," said Bob Stohrer, CMO, Virgin Mobile USA. "We've already demonstrated the benefit of no annual contracts and the ability to tailor spending to individual needs. Broadband2Go is another way to give consumers value, flexibility and convenience."
Using Novatel Wireless's Ovation MC760 USB device, Broadband2Go is the world's smallest EVDO Rev. A USB modem. Like Virgin Mobile USA's mobile service, activation is simple and megabytes can be added as often as needed with credit/debit cards or Virgin Mobile Top-Up cards. Top-Up cards can be used to purchase data usage from 100MB to 1 gigabyte on the pay-as-you-go model. A new Broadband2Go-branded Top-Up card is available for $20, which customers may use to purchase 250MB good for 30 days, translating roughly into 12 hours of web browsing. Other data plans are available at $10, $40 and $60, and any VMU Top-Up card can be used.
"As the exclusive retailer, we are extremely excited to bring this nationwide no-contract mobile broadband solution to our customers for the first time," said Best Buy Mobile President Shawn Score. "We believe this product will dramatically alter the marketplace and significantly change the way consumers spend their money connecting to the Internet. For Best Buy Mobile, it aligns perfectly with our goal of providing value and choice to our customers who are looking to get more out of their mobile life." Virgin Mobile USA's partnership with Best Buy Mobile will also make the new Broadband2Go available at airport kiosks later this summer.
Virgin Mobile USA's Broadband2Go requires no activation fee and there are no roaming charges. Customers have a real-time usage meter to monitor and check "Remaining Megabytes of Use" at any time - from the Broadband2Go provides customers with approximate estimates for how many hours of web-browsing or video-viewing and number of emails each plan will generally handle.
According to market research firm Infonetics [2][1], sales of mobile broadband cards topped $4.1 billion worldwide in 2008, and IDC [3] reports that represents approximately 7.1 million U.S. subscribers. Growth from 2007 to 2008 was 60%, and IDC also says the 3G mobile broadband market is expected to grow to $10.4 billion in 2012.
For more information, visit www.virginmobileusa.com [4].
About Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.
Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. [NYSE:VM], through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than 5 million customers control, flexibility and choice through Virgin Mobile's Plans Without Annual Contracts, with coverage powered by the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile USA also offers unlimited all-in contract plans with advanced devices like the Ocean 2.
More than 90% of its customers report satisfaction. Virgin Mobile USA service recently announced its Pink Slip Protection program, which provides eligible monthly plan customers who lose their jobs and become eligible for state unemployment benefits free service for up to three month[2]. Its full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ [4], with Top-Up cards available at almost 150,000 locations.
About Best Buy Mobile
Best Buy Mobile features one of the largest selections of carriers, handsets and accessories available anywhere, as well as a highly-trained staff to help customers make the most of their mobile phones. Best Buy Mobile locations feature more than 90 different handsets from nine carriers, and one of the widest assortments of accessories in retail. Employees undergo at least 80 hours of intensive training, as well as continuing education on mobile phone technology and trends.
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Mexico, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $45 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse; Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu FiveStar; Magnolia Audio Video; Napster; Pacific Sales; The Phone House; and Speakeasy. Approximately 155,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2009, we donated a combined $33.4 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com [5].
Media Contacts: Investor Contact:
Jayne Wallace Erica Bolton
908-607-4014 908-607-4108
jayne.wallace@virginmobileusa.com [6] erica.bolton@virginmobileusa.com [7]
Justine Navaja
Shift Comm for Virgin Mobile USA
917-723-7209
Links:
[1] http://www.bestbuymobile.com/
[2] http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2009/4q08-mobile-broadband-cards-routers-market-research-highlights.asp
[3] http://www.idc.com/
[4] http://www.virginmobileusa.com/
[5] http://www.bestbuy.com/
[6] mailto:corinne.nosal@virginmobileusa.com
[7] mailto:erica.bolton@virginmobileusa.com
[8] mailto:jnavaja@shiftcomm.com