Would You Trust This Company As Your Mobile Operator?
from the questions,-questions,-questions dept
In the last year or so, there have been all sorts of stories about just how hot MVNOs are. These "virtual" mobile operators that simply rent networks from established operators were supposed to revolutionize the mobile space by going after niche markets that the big wireless carriers were ignoring. While, there are still plenty of questions about how many MVNOs the market can really handle, as the big names (like Amp'd and ESPN Mobile) hit the market, is it any surprise that some more questionable looking outfits are hoping to cash in as well? Apparently a mobile operator named RockitTalk had been offering mobile service on Cingular's network at $100/month, but shut down a couple weeks ago -- while keeping all the money subscribers had given it, despite not fulfilling the service. Now, the company is announcing a brand new MVNO on Verizon's network, and many fear that customers who sign up will discover a similar ending. PCS Intel has even more, noting that before all of this, the company offered an MVNO on Sprint's network that exposed the social security numbers of customers. At some point you have to wonder why mobile operators keep letting them offer service. If they've already gone through Sprint, Cingular and Verizon, it would appear they only have T-Mobile left if they want to keep offering (or not offering, as the case may be) national coverage.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
MVNO
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: MVNO
My company, GTC Telecom, has gone the wireless route. As with any product, the buyer should beware. Look at the company. Check the "About Us" page and see how long they have been in business. In the case of my company, we have been around for over 7 years. Then look at the offer and what your risk is. We are pay as you go (post paid) so the customer would not be at as much risk as a company that forces a large pre-payment.
It really is sad that a few con artists are running off customers from what can be a very good deal for consumers.
Cingular, Sprint/Nextel, and the rest of the big carriers have been allowed to get away with hostile customer plans, contracts, and customer service for years. If done right, the MVNOs really could force a sea change in Wireless much like what occurred over a decade ago in Long Distance.
-Dusty
[ link to this | view in thread ]