Are Helio's days numbered?

posted by Brian K. / Jun 20, 2008, 2:25 PM

This article contains unofficial information.

Engadget is reporting that Helio retail managers have received a memo, saying the company's store and kiosk locations will be closing. The rumored merger between Helio and Virgin seems to be at an impasse, and it now appears it will be a takeover by Virgin. It looks like Helio will be the last carrier of the MVNO boom to go under (R.I.P. ESPN, Amp'd, et al.). There is no word on what will become of the company's impressive handset lineup, including phones such as the Ocean 2, but we hope Virgin picks up where Helio will (allegedly) leave off. Of course, neither company, nor SK Telecom, have commented on this so we'll have to see how it plays out officially.

source: Engadget Mobile

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10 Comments

1. anonymous

Posts: 6; Member since: Jun 05, 2008

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:42 AM 0

2. lucy-loo unregistered

Look what happens to carriers that diss the competition... in their website HELIO claims to have the best & cheapest unlimited plan... Alltel did it and now their being bought out... (BE CAREFUL dan@sprint.com !)

posted on Jun 20, 2008, 8:52 PM 0

3. unregistered

helio only has 200,000sh subscribers thats why there being bought out according to this. Sprint is not an MVNO, they own their own towers. this is regarding MVNO takerovers. Altell is being bought out because it was beneficial to both companies.

posted on Jun 21, 2008, 12:45 AM 0

4. VZW Employee unregistered

Hey I kind of liked Helio's phone line up...

posted on Jun 21, 2008, 1:42 PM 0

5. traino03 unregistered

i'm not surprised, the helio company always seemed to be over-priced as well w/ their ever so delicate phone line which could break under the lightest touch!!!..But hey business is business and the strong will survive while the weak dies.

posted on Jun 22, 2008, 12:09 AM 0

6. unregistered

helio's phones werent that delicate. ive had 2 different types and they both stand up through the toughest shit. and their line up is pretty sweet. i hope the merger happens

posted on Jun 23, 2008, 12:31 AM 0

7. VerizonOWNSall unregistered

Helio is a wash, their phones were far too big and bulky, the speedswere decent only because they were living off verizon network, so was their cell phone reception....its a shame they lost out so bad, but you dont go up against the big dogs with a weak campaign and no true advertisments. say bye bye helio .

posted on Jun 23, 2008, 6:27 PM 0

8. unregistered

helio is definitely and mvno of sprint

posted on Jun 23, 2008, 10:20 PM 0

10. mandy_1981_98

Posts: 1; Member since: Jul 27, 2008

Get your facts straight, Helio uses Sprint towers not Verizon! (In Ref to VerizonOWNSall)

posted on Jul 27, 2008, 11:16 AM 0

9. disappointed helio subscriber unregistered

Helio is getting bought out. For the helio owners out there, myself being one of them... I hope that either 1) Virgin terminates all contracts (longshot) 2) Gives all current Helio subscribers the option to opt out of their current contract. To be honest, Helio isn't that great, and for what I am paying, I don't feel I am getting my money's worth on a monthly basis.

posted on Jun 24, 2008, 10:14 AM 0

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