Thursday 18 October 2012

How did Solavei start

By Mogie Patton


Former Motricity CEO Ryan Wuerch is getting back in the wireless game with the upcoming launch of Solavei, a mobile virtual network operator with an unusual business model that will use its customers to tout its $49 per month unlimited voice, text and data plan to their friends and earn extra cash in the process.

The MVNO will operate on T-Mobile USA's GSM network. Customers will pay a $49 start up fee after which $49 monthly for service. They can use their existing unlocked GSM smartphones or buy an unsubsidized device from Solavei, which will range in price from $160 to $500. The first device may be the HTC One, but the organization will even sell a model from ZTE.

The service is currently in beta mode approximately two,000 users. Yet another 12,000 folks have signed up to join as soon as Solavei officially debuts in the end of September.

In accordance with Solavei's Head of Products Jim Ryan, yet another former Motricity executive and also the previous vp of information at AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T), the basic benefit proposition for the business is the fact that individuals are totally hooked on information, yet data keeps obtaining more costly. "We saw this being an possibility. How should we do this better than a mobile service provider?" The conclusion was to get rid of some of the costs by not providing mobile phone subsidies, reducing customer care costs by delivering the ability online, and acquiring rid of marketing and advertising costs by having the consumers sell the service to their friends. "We will establish a social marketing community that appreciates individuals engagement," Ryan said.

That involvement from clients is what makes Solavei not the same as other low-cost MVNOs. Since the organization relies upon consumers to register other clients, Ryan said Solavei will spend each client $20 for each and every "trio" or three consumers that they register. Consumers will also get paid if the folks they sign up then enroll other individuals.

Ryan declared that the business intends to target the 70 million or more prepaid wireless subscribers at present in the U.S., but he also considers opportunity in other areas, including folks that are coming off postpaid contracts. Furthermore, he expects some people will likely escape their commitment with their existing operator after they understand that they are able to possibly earn the money back they lose from breaking their agreement by referring Solavei to their buddies.

Solavei is well backed, having just sealed on its next round of financing; the business is valued at more than $120 million. Additionally, it comes with a high-profile board of advisors which includes David Limp, v . p . of Amazon, John Miller, primary digital officer at News Corp., and Sue Nokes, the previous COO of T-Mobile USA.




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