Wireless technology and broadband telecommunications company MobilePro Corp. reported that its CloseCall America subsidiary plans to launch a prepaid wireless product within the next 30 days via a mobile virtual network operator agreement with Verizon Wireless.
The company noted the service would offer a “no surprise” wireless bill for consumers and would include parental controls that will allow restricting outgoing and incoming calls to only certain numbers. MobilePro added that the service initially would launch in Maryland and later expand throughout the country.
MobilePro announced plans earlier this month for a metropolitan-wide Wi-Fi/Wi-MAX deployment covering Chandler, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix. The network deployment, dubbed WazChandler, is being made in conjunction with WazAlliance, Cox Cable and other partners. MobilePro noted that it planned to integrate traditional cellular and Wi-Fi-enabled services into its prepaid wireless offering.
“We believe that prepaid wireless is a huge opportunity for us to access an estimated multibillion-dollar potential market for teens, preteens and credit-challenged customers,” explained Jay Wright, chairman and chief executive officer of MobilePro. “With the coming of Wi-Fi cell phones, a prepaid product has obvious applicability in places such as Arizona, where we are rolling out our metro-area wireless networks as well as over traditional cellular networks using regular cell phones via our MVNO arrangement with Verizon Wireless.”
The deal marks another MVNO agreement for Verizon Wireless, following an announcement last month with Amp’d Mobile Inc. to launch prepaid and postpaid wireless services focusing on the carrier’s CDMA2000 1x EV-DO network. Analysts have noted that such an arrangement provides a low-cost opportunity for carriers to tap into more specific market segments without jeopardizing their traditional operations.
