Virgin Mobile UK Is Hot, BT Considers MVNO
Virgin Mobile had great results for the latest quarter with their UK-based MVNO operation. The subscriber adds were 231,500 and they are on track to exceed their target of 3M subs by the end of 2003. The company is growing quickly, with success boosted by the adoption of a cheaper SMS fee of 3p. Despite the lower fee, revenues are also exceeding expectations, putting aside all doubts regarding the viability of MVNOs. We should hear shortly another quarterly report from the US Virgin operations, which have also been adding subscribers quickly. A rumor posted over at FierceWireless suggests that BT, no virgin to wireless, may be considering an MVNO based on T-Mobile’s UK network, reversing the exit then made from the wireless industry when they spun off MMO2.
