Helio’s trifecta: Google Maps GPS, record subscribers and a new music service
If we had a "where did these guys come from?" category, Helio would be in it. The Mobile Virtual Network Operator backed by Earthlink and SK Telecom in Korea is a relative newcomer that appears to bring the Korean phone look-and-feel here to the U.S. while licensing cellular spectrum from other companies. Sound like a good business plan? Something must be working because Helio is in the news quite a bit lately:
- GigaOm reports that Helio will have 100k subscribers by the end of this quarter; an increase from 70k subscribers at the end of last year.
- Helio is launching a music service today; tracks will run $1.99 each, direct to the phone. PhoneScoop indicates that Helio will allow for PC support at $.99 a track in the spring.
- We mentioned the new Google Maps for Windows Mobile last week and there was much rejoicing. Only one non-Windows Mobile phone currently offers the integrated GPS support: you guessed it. The Helio Drift, which has also has Bluetooth and EV-DO support.
Some MVNO’s have been a relative failure (ESPN and Disney Mobile come to mind), but Helio might be on to something with the Korean-infuenced handset approach combined with licensing cellular spectrum.
Licensing spectrum from others is the approach Virgin Mobile used in the UK and they are “not too shabby”. The phones here in Korea tend to be small,not smart phones and have been adapted to use DMB and in some cases GPS.
Follow the DMB link in my blog to a Korean phone reseller if you want more info on what Korean phone technology looks like.
The blog URL didnt appear for some reason so I have reposted it here.
http://theoldmansblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/mobiletech-in-korea.html