New Helio offers ‘unlimited’ service, but stuck with 2G speeds
Perhaps showing that at least names never go out of style, the Helio brand is re-entering the domestic mobile virtual network operator market thanks to South Korean telecom provider UBI Telecom.
Helio-branded services are now being offered for $29 per month, which includes unlimited domestic calling, domestic and international text messaging and low-speed data services. The price includes taxes, taking a page from other prepaid offerings that look to remove the tax variable.
The service runs natively on Sprint’s CDMA network, with a Verizon Wireless roaming deal that lets Helio boast of having superior network coverage when compared to Sprint’s Virgin Mobile USA and Boost Mobile prepaid plans. The comparison to Virgin Mobile USA is somewhat ironic as the initial Helio brand was purchased by Virgin Mobile USA in 2008 for $39 million. Sprint subsequently acquired full control of Virgin Mobile USA, where it continues to reside.
Helio claims it has access to Sprint’s LTE network, but also notes that all data speeds are limited at 128 kilobits per second regardless of device used to access services. Helio offers a smattering of older Samsung smartphone models, a single Kyocera flip phone and SIM cards for Sprint-compatible LTE devices.
Helio’s first foray into the MVNO space began in 2006 as a $440 million joint venture between SK Telecom and Earthlink. The company targeted the finicky youth market with mobile Internet-focused services and social media-based marketing.
The service quickly found itself on shaky ground as its backers were repeatedly stung for their investments in the capital-intense operations, though it did manage to attract more than 100,000 customers. The brand remained dormant for several years before being relaunched by UBI Telecom into a hotly contested no-contract space dominated by carrier-branded offerings. Those offerings include modest bundles of high-speed data access at price points in line with the Helio offer.
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