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- Reviewed on: 03/21/2008
- Updated on: 08/25/2009
Editors' note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. However, we can tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section; the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.
August 25, 2009: We've updated this page to reflect changes to the carrier.
As the first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) carrier in the United States, Virgin Mobile has led the way in aggressively marketing its prepaid service to the youth market. Its phones are sold in many retail locations, including Virgin Megastores, and online. As an MVNO, it did not operate its own cellular network, but leased it from Sprint instead. As of 2009, Virgin Mobile is now fully owned by Sprint Nextel after a $248 million buy-out.
In 2008, Virgin Mobile bought Helio, another MVNO, and merged the two operations. It inherited Helio's all-in and a la carte contract plans as well as all the Helio handsets. Helio was a joint venture between U.S.-based Earthlink and Korea-based SK Telecom. Its target demographic skewed toward the young and upwardly mobile. Helio phones typically come with EV-DO support, GPS, and seamless integration with social networking services such as Facebook and MySpace.
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