Virgin plans touch-screen phone
- 18 March, 2009 10:05
- Comments 59
Virgin Mobile USA plans to introduce touch-screen handsets as part of a move into "smarter" phones, the carrier's CEO said Tuesday.
As a mobile operator focused on younger people in the low- and middle-income brackets, Virgin has stayed out of the smartphone market because most consumers still can't afford such devices, said CEO Dan Schulman. Though smartphones such as the iPhone and BlackBerry get a lot of attention, they still are only about 20 percent of the handsets sold, he said. However, Schulman believes that figure may rise to as much as half the market over the next three to five years.
In an on-stage interview at the Dow Jones Wireless Innovations conference, Schulman gave no details about the touch-screen phones or when Virgin may roll them out. But it's a safe bet that they will be targeted at a market that he thinks is a very good place to be as the economy weighs on consumers - that of low- and middle-income youth.
Virgin's core business is prepaid services, though it also offers monthly service plans. It's an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that resells access to Sprint Nextel's network. It's considered a survivor in the ailing MVNO business and last year acquired Helio, the struggling, entertainment-oriented MVNO once backed by SK Telecom and EarthLink.
The economic downturn has benefited Virgin Mobile because many consumers don't want to be tied down to a monthly service they have to pay for whether they use it or not, Schulman said. Last year, Virgin's subscriber base grew 6 percent to 5.4 million.
"Things like value and flexibility are moving to the forefront," he said. "I think the economy is helping people to appreciate our model." It's still a cutthroat business, however, and the trend's not over yet, he believes. There aren't many first-time cellular users left in the U.S. market, and Sprint Nextel and other carriers have already started changing the pricing picture with "unlimited" monthly voice and data plans.
"It wouldn't shock me to see more pricing pressure coming into the industry," Schulman said. Virgin's total revenue grew just 5 percent in 2008, though its services revenue rose 10 percent.
Virgin still sees voice and messaging as the sweet spot in its market, though it's a definition of messaging that has expanded from traditional text messaging to include social networking. About 20 percent of the company's revenue comes from services other than voice now, Schulman said.
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Comments
Anonymous
VIRGIN MOBILE NEED TOUCH SCREENS EVERY SERVICE HAS IT !
Tjuana Lee
touch sreen
I love the Virgin mobile service but I am considering another carrier because I really want a touch screen phone. I hope that Virgin Mobile produces a touch screen before I change over.
Anonymous
touch screen
Virgin Mobile Is A great Service Because Now It Has FREE calling Day And Night I Am 18
and virgin mobile has great stuff but every service has touch screens and i want one .
So if virgin mobile dosent plan on getting them with in 2 or 3 months i am going swich
to Sprint , At&t Or T-mobile the ones that have touch screens i would like one that
is all touch screen than i lknow if that happen even more people would try out Virgin Mobile
: ) So i Hope you come out with full touch screens or touch screens with a full keyboard
SOON !
Anonymous
Touch screen phones.
Virgin Mobile badly needs atleast a few touch screen cell phones. I know they will sell more phone with those! They just added the LG Rumor 2 on their phone list, and that will get alot of attention. Now imagin if they added a Blackberry Storm, or an LG Xenon, those would go off the charts!
Sjenkinsjr
I agree
I have the LG Rumor and the phone is nice. Virgin mobiles service is descent gets good reception certain place and none in others, but that is with every wireless provider. However, it would be nice to have a touch screen phone on virgins network...
Anonymous
Please add touch screens so I can be satisfied with this service.
Kristy in Wa
WE NEED TOUCH SCREENS!!!!
I don't want to switch service but I along with tons of people really want new updated phones better than the rumor 2. Please start selling touch screens soon!!!
Anonymous
Yea that's what we need.....cheap plastic 2.0 mp camera touchscreens...lol.
Anonymous
virgin mobile needs touchscreen
yeap same here been with them for three years i want a touch screen or ill be changing too service is good but no good phones
Anonymous
Touch Screen
I use Virgin Mobile and also want a touch screen phone. I would throw away my ARC right now and buy a new phone if a touch screen one was available.
Anonymous
Touch Screen
Plz make a cheap touch screen phone with a usb port for music and pics and full keyboard
virginmobile user
Their touch phone must not be from kyocera .... that company make the worst of phones.
i am your worst dream
the touch screen phone
Yes i am a virgin mobel user and i would like there to be a touch screen phone full keybord and it would sell like lemonade ona hot day cause this is whats hot now i know i may just be 17 but i know what people want teen's and adults ! they want a phone that dont cost much money but it has all the thimgs they need an alot of todays money is going to phones with internet acsess now i kno this phone plane hase internet but also so do alot of the other ones that go for more money . If u want your phone company to stay intackt get tne touch added to it you will make more money the byers would be happy i know i would be even at a low price you will bring in the heavy bucks i would bye an alot of the people i know are are interested in a touch phone that goes for a llow asking price ! thank you for listening to my voice hope i helped ! <///.Q>
Anonymous
touch screeens
virgin mobile has good service but they REALLY need touch screen phones they would make a ton more money because i know a lot of peoplle that would use virgin moblie, but THEY HAVE NOOO COOL PHONES!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
not only for "young folks"
I love the service you provide...I hardly ever have issues with dropped calls and not having service. Also, I know the majority of your users are teens and early twenties, but I am older than that and still am with you because of the great service......so please come out with a more sophisticated touch screen style phone please. Thanks for being a great provider ;)
Anonymous
I agree with this...kyocera phones feel like toys and i dont like the user interface with them.
Propa
Virgin Mobile
I like virgin mobile a lot but i am thinking about going to another carrier because i want better phones. I like the LG rumor 2 but that phone is kind of old. I mean sprint had this phone a year ago i think. If virgin mobile was to get a good smart/touchscreen phone(and not nothing cheap or plastic or anything made by kyocera) then i would stay with them.
taylor
wow....
kyocera feels like cheap plastic, i would prefer them get a palm, or maybe a LG?
Andrew (virgin mobile customer)
New Phones
You guys there at Virgin Mobile really need to come out with a new touch screen phone, I normally get every new phone you guys come out with and I have had the Rumor 2 now since september and I'm ready for somthing better, but I don't wanna go back to the same old toys you get with the rest. You are at a point in time were you see what people want and you start to break away from the mold you guys have made yoursleves or you keep going the way the you are and loose money, and looking at those comments I think you are going to start loosing money. you may be prfiting right now but you have to look to the future and in that future people want touch screen phones, and I would do what ever it took to get ahold of a touch screen for virgin mobile. I mean it's not like i can just sweitch to a different provoder, I am a 15 year old kid, I pay my own phone bill and I can't get a contract phone, so I would atleast to have a decent phone that I can be proud of.
Concered customer
Anonymous
Those brands are more expensive bcz they are built with higher quality parts... If u havnt Noticed Virgin Mobil will not sell a prepaid phone for no more than $99 EVER!! U really think they are going to sell a Palm or LG Phone for $99 or less?... NO!!
Anonymous
Virgin Mobile Knock Offs
Virgin is coming out with a Kyocera Low End Touch Screen with an Optical joystick navigation. It sounds like a fun fun and the price point is good.
They also have a BlackBerry knock off from Kyocera. All those Balckberry fans that can't afford the data plan will but this one. Good price again.
They aren't smart phones, but the phone, price and plan look good for non smart phone users.
I will use my Google Voice number and probably get both.
Anonymous
Touch Phone
Nothing but keeping up will keep users or bring new ones. My daughter wants the bells & whistles, something she can be proud of amongst those crazy $$$$ phones her friends have. I will never go there, but I will find her something, somewhere! I'd like one too, but not looking like it's coming from here and we've been w/V.M. for many a year now. Snooze - you - lose. Just saw an Alcatel...looks very affordable and inviting....
Anonymous
LG POP and more
They offer them elsewhere, why not here? I'm going to have to go w/another service provider.
Anonymous
Virgin mobile touch phone
I think VM should sell iphones with their company
Anonymous
touch screen
currenlty using Kyo X-tc. IMO, price is good enough, quality is good enough for the price.
some guys are saying that the touch screen device for Virgin will by a Kyo one. Will be interesting to look at it.
Annia Braiser
Hi all,
There is hype on the
Hi all,
There is hype on the virgin mobile touch screen phone issue, every concerned on the web is discussing this and trying to figure out what virgin mobile has to offer for their clients to let them play with the touch screen,
Doing a bit of research I have gone through the following links to find any any hint about the touch screen phone and the <a href="http://www.wirelessphonegallery.com/phoneaccessories.aspx">mobile phone accessories</a> to be offered.
news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10199354-1.html
fiercewireless.com/story/virgin-mobile-add-touchscreen-phones-lineup/2009-03-18
pulse2.com/2009/03/18/virgin-mobile-plans-to-launch-touch-screen-phones-soon/
mobileireland.net/2009/03/23/virgin-mobile-promises-touchscreen-mobiles/
moconews.net/article/419-virgin-mobile-plans-to-sell-touch-screen-phone/
answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090621005302AAfIBCa
From yahoo answer to cent, everyone is discussing the same issue.
Here is a link which I came across (while searching on the web) whihc says about a touch screen phone by virgin mobile
gearlog.com/2009/03/virgin_mobile_to_launch_touchs.php
Does any one have idea bout this phone model and its link to virgin mobile ?
Anonymous
Touch Screen
I have the Rumor 2, and I love it but I'm so ready for a better phone!! Preferably touch screen!
Anonymous
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_7-20000829-10356022.html?tag=mncol;posts
this is the phone.
Airica tea
yes better new touchscreen,better camera,windows
Yes,well i have the xtc and i really love it but yes i'm ready for a better phone more like,touchscreen,better camera maybe 3.1 mp's and video i mean just something better lol i can't wait to see what new phones their going to add lol if it's touchscreen then UPGRADE here i come!
Anonymous
when
When will virgin mobile come out with a touchscreen? I'm displeased with the current phone selection and would definitely like to have a good quality touchscreen.
Anonymous
touch screen drama
ok i get a new phone every year for my bday aand its coming up pretty soon. may 3 to be exact and my mom is really sweating to me to telll her what i want so vm if your are coming out with a new touch screen make it fast because my mom is tryin to make me get the new phone by boost mobile and i dont want it but im afraid that if u dont come out with a new phone soon i might just have to switch to boostmobile because u cant wait much longer -sorry but i love u vm
concern customer
Anonymous
New Touch Screens
Yhu GUys Really need to cum Outwith a touch screen phone im tired of all these no touch screen phone this is suome fucking bullshit i really love m..bhut i think i might have to switch if yhu dont cum out wit a touch..i love yall bhut yhu guys r slacking very hard...Bye
Tbaby
Better Phones
I just would like for them to offer a smart phone, a touch screen would be nice, but I would be satisfied with a phone like a blackberry. I currently owned the super slice and it is starting to act up because it is old. I don't want to purchase the LG Rumor 2 just yet because it is not what I want. I was looking at the Boost Mobile blackberry. I really would like to have a blackberry without the contract and all the extra fees. But I want to stick with Virgin Mobile because I enjoy there service.
carlos cabral
yes they are getting two new phones!!
yes virgin are getting two new phones!! the lg rumor touch and the samsung slash 2 which is the samsung little slider phone for sprint
Anonymous
upset with vm
Ok....so I usually get a new phone for my birthday from vm but at this point im too old for these slider and flip phones. A touch phone/smart phone would be ideal. What upsets me the most is that in all other vm corporation ie. Virgin Mobile UK, they have many smartphone options. I don't want to switch to another company because I love vm's service but if they get some smartphones REALLY SOON, im afraid im going to have to switch to another company and from the looks of it, so do many other vm customers.
Anonymous
Bring it on Virgin Mobil! My vote is for the Rumor Touch - please!!!
Anonymous
I Say The LG Rumor Touch!!! I'd Be All Over That! Because Right Now, I'm About To Switch To A Different Plan Just For The Rumor Touch.( :
Anonymous
Yes, i love you VM but your phones are hot garbage... please improve them with something more advanced and nice :)
chey
wtf
Virgin mobile really needs to get some more phones! such great deals but not a wide enough selection of phones!!!!
Anonymous
what the...?
why would you want a cheap touch screen phone??? unless you mean the price... i have the lg rumor touch its ok but not what i wanted it to be,they lied about instant messenger on this phone,no yahoo,or others mines just had face book and myspace. come on vm! step your game up before we all leave. you stepped up on service do the same for phones and not to mention,coust service. you have bb now lil steep for price,but hey u cant get everything. there getting money on the back end. you need a windows touch and android,iphone in the usa! no fair that the uk gets the good phones you selfish batsrd!
love vm
Anonymous
Instant messaging
Go into Home -> Main Menu -> Messaging -> Email + IM. It's all under there :)
Anonymous
i am a virgin mobile customer and honestly whats the point of getting an all touch screen phone? i love my rumor 2 so make more of those. if you want to make a touch screen phone, make it with a QWERTY keyboard attached to it.
pathak
international call number
hi,
i have virgin mobile cap and i dnt knw abt international calls i mean just like divert call which people using frm thr mobile so i want to know about that number if u can provide me so its better for me thanks...
Anonymous
LG Rumor Touch
I love this phone!!! It was a reasonable price and checking my email is so easy!!!! I didnt think it was going to worth it but WOW was I wrong!!! Great phone VM!!!!!
Anonymous
need info
please contact me at 757 541 0743 need a lil info about the phone txt me please
Anonymous
stupid
My phone has all of those working properly just cuz U R stupid to figure it out ,don't blame the phone.
Me.You?Yes me. Oh.
Beasting on the haters, mate. :DD
So i just got the LG rumor touch, and guess what: I LOVE IT. just adore it. its gorgeously beutilffffy amazing. kbye. thnks VM for your choice in phoneeees.
Anonymous
Awesome
I love VM I think that the plans are great and I love my phone the LG Rumor Touch
but seriously though add more phones like the iPhone and all those other best selling phones to (i notices places like Australia has them on VM...)
Anonymous
dos it have real internet
Anonymous
the lg rumor looks like the best phone VM will ever have im getting it in 2-3 weeks and if they get more phones like the iphone, droid, ect. and keep the same plans i think thell get alot more custumors.
Anonymous
Bar Phones
vm needs more blackberry like bar phones
Anonymous
TOUCH SREEN PHONES
OMG....I have the rumor touch but i need something better when are hey gonna come out with the HTC phones or at lease the Blackberry torch touchscreen or smething the Rumor touch is boring and too damn slow for me.....I would pay money fo a better phone if virgin mobile usa would offer better phones....I been with VMobile since 07....they offering the HTC in Canada....when r tey offering these phones in USA
anonymous
vm needs the htc ...canada has it, why not usa?? =(
Duhhh
Fyi Europe and Canada have had touch screen phones with over 2.0 mp cams for more than two years..even India has better phones than America. You guys are getting your hopes up just get a phone with at&t or t-mobile, both have better touch screen phones
shabazz
Now yall get a touch screen phone after I made my mother buy a evo.I hope u guys phones are good because my mom is gonna take my evo in a few months and I am going to need a phone to stay in touch with my girlfriend and brothers.
shebANG
vMOBILE NEEDS PHONES WITH FLASH!
lala
who gives a beep bout at&t shieeeet vmobile!!has affordable plans...btw duhh u wanna buy me da tmobile or at&t???? dats right!
IMportant me
Um yea im a VM user as well. and um imma need for yall to make some more touch screens. .
Darren
Virgin mobile has touch phones for awhile guys. Their not behind because Virgin mobile is a sub-company or second company of sprint.
Basically Virgin Mobile USA was originally conceived as a joint venture between Virgin Group and Sprint, and uses Sprint's cellular bandwidth in the United States. Sprint retained the Virgin Mobile name after the deal closed.
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