Luxury MVNO Voce comes to US

Polyphonic ringtone maker Faith plans to launch a luxury MVNO with a $1500 sign-up fee by the end of the year. The service, called Voce, plans to focus its marketing on the "elite" and "upscale" by offering unlimited calling, unlimited data downloads, "velvet glove" customer service and a new handset every four months. Part of its pitch includes "first class" personalized wireless services. After the hefty sign-up fee the service costs a mere $500 per month. The elite of New York City and Los Angeles will get a first look at the service this year. Voce plans to move into the top 10 metropolitan markets by the end of next year.

Unlike most MVNOs, Sprint won't be supplying the network for Voce--Cingular will. Visage Mobile is also behind the scenes taking care of the end-to-end management services, data delivery, integration and billing by working with more than a dozen operators. Voce's CEO has MVNO experience at Boost Mobile and Amp'd Mobile. Voce intends to offer subscribers travel support and partnerships with other luxury services. With phone upgrades every month and outrageous pricing schemes, Voce may have positioned itself inside the velvet rope.

For more on the new luxury MVNO:
- check out this piece from InformationWeek 
- see this article from Wireless Week