The third-largest US carrier, announced that it will discontinue the postpaid wireless service (marketed under the “Helio brand) of its wholly-owned subsidiary Virgin Mobile USA effective May 25, 2010. However, the prepaid service, which is being offered under the “Virgin brand, will not be affected by the decision.
Virgin Mobile USA, which is predominantly a prepaid operator, began its postpaid operation following the acquisition of mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Helio in August 2008. Before the acquisition, Helio was a joint venture between South Koreanwireless kingpin SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM - News) and US-based Internet service …