IP Democracy: ESPN to Shut Down Mobile MVNO

Moco.news had the scoop on this development last night, but ESPN is throwing in the towel on its Mobile ESPN service as a stand-alone mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). The company plans to stop selling its ESPN-branded phones (which sold for a pricey $500 each) and continue licensing its mobile content to other providers, as well as look for a provider to license its own proprietary application to other providers.

The failure of Mobile ESPN, after less than a year in operation, could be a signal that the MVNO model, under which providers such as Amp’d and Helio sell proprietary phones and services to customers who pay top dollar for the privilege of the unique services, is headed for the junk-heap of failed concepts. (Amp’d, however, seems to be making a go of it.) No wonder Apple isn’t that eager to move on its iPhone.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on September 28, 2006 4:52 PM to IP Democracy