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Virgin Mobile is a brand used by several mobile phone service providers operating in the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Canada, South Africa, the United States and France; the brand survived only briefly in Singapore. The international Virgin Mobile businesses each act as independent entities, usually in a partnership between Sir Richard Branson\'s Virgin Group and an existing phone company. Virgin Group provides the brand, and the phone company operates the network infrastructure.
Virgin Mobile was the world\'s first Mobile Virtual Network Operator when it launched in the United Kingdom in 1999. It does not maintain its own network but instead contracts to use the existing network(s) of other providers.
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In the UK, Virgin Mobile uses the T-Mobile network.Blyk\'s free mobile launch delayed (July 9, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-20. In the US, the Sprint Nextel system is the carrier.Virgin considers float for Virgin Atlantic (July 15, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-16. There is no roaming to other networks in the United States. In Australia, Virgin Mobile operates on the Optus network.Optus Acquires Virgin Mobile Australia (January 12, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-20. In Canada, it uses the Bell Mobility network.Virgin Mobile confirms Canada as its fourth port of call (March 31, 2004). Retrieved on 2007-07-20. In France, it uses Orange SA.Carphone blames Virgin Mobile for woes (November 3, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-20. Virgin Mobile South Africa uses the Cell C network for coverage across South Africa.Virgin Mobile to enter South Africa under VNO agreement (March 13, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-20. These networks use two different mobile telephony standards, GSM and CDMA. GSM is used in the UK, South Africa, Australia and France. CDMA is used in the US and Canada.
In all countries, Virgin Mobile offers prepaid pay-as-you-go service. In the UK, US, Australia and South Africa, Virgin Mobile also offers a post-paid option to approved customers. Already very common in the UK at the time of Virgin Mobile\'s launch, prepaid wireless service was a very small part of the US wireless market. Nevertheless, competitive pricing, a "no-frills" approach and award winning customer service ensured a small but significant market share.
Virgin Mobile Canada experienced substantial growth in the past year, launching approximately 60 "Virgin Mini Stores" across the country. Virgin Mini Stores (VMS) are kiosks usually located in shopping malls that especially target the 18-35 yr. old demographic.
For three years running, Virgin Mobile Canada has received J.D. Power and Associates\' annual award for "Highest Customer Satisfaction for Pre-paid Wireless," though it is worth mentioning that the other main phone companies are more focused on monthly contracts, thus making it effectively the only competitor.
Post paid plans are being introduced to Virgin Canada early 2008, details are still sparse.
Virgin Singapore was launched in October 2001 as a joint venture with Singtel. The operations were closed down by October 2002 after failing to attract a significant number of customers. "Virgin Mobile exits Singapore market", Electronics News, 2003-07-10. Retrieved on 2007-08-22.
Failure of the joint venture was attributed to a saturated mobile market and Virgin Mobile\'s positioning as a "premium" brand. Akers, Lawrence (2002-07-10). Virgin\'s Version. Forbes. Retrieved on 2007-08-22.
On March 1,2008 Virgin launched the Mobile brand in India through a franchise arrangement with Tata Teleservices. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030351290100.htm This is Virgin’s seventh launch globally and its largest investment to date in India, said Branson, noting that the Indian market was very attractive, growing like none other in the world. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030351290100.htm
| Virgin Mobile brands |
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Virgin Mobile UK • Virgin Mobile USA • Virgin Mobile Australia • Virgin Mobile Canada • Virgin Mobile France • Virgin Mobile South Africa |
| Virgin Group | |
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| General |
Active · Blue Holdings Limited · Cinemas · Credit Card · Digital · Drinks (Cola, Vodka, Wines/Vines) · Electronics · Experience Days · Fuel · Green Fund · Media (Media Television) · Mobile · Money · Unite (charity) · Vie · Voucher |
| Travel |
AirAsia X · America · Atlantic · Balloon Flights · Blue (Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, V Australia) · Express · Galactic · Holidays · Limited Edition (hotels) · Limobike · Limousines · Nigeria · Trains · Vacations |
| Publishing and entertainment |
Artemis Records · Books · Comics · Interactive · Oüı FM · Play · Radio Asia · Radio Free · Records · V2 Records · V Festivals (Australia, North America, United Kingdom) |
| Retail |
Brides · Cars · Megastores · Spa · Ware |
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