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rlebherz wrote: Alf, Interesting article. I think the Cloud services and cloud infrastructure lines are a bit blurred, but I agree with most of what you are saying. Dont underestimate the SLA's role in accountability. For companies that have dynamic requirements and no down time can be afforded, make sure you have very tight SLAs. For example, OpSource provides a 100% SLA in the cloud and 100%SLA around production application environments. Now 100% is ideally perfect, it comes down to accountability, yo...
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Virgin Mobile USA Introduces New Contract Rates That Give Families Something to Talk About
New Contract Plans Offer More Minutes and Flexibility Without Breaking the Bank

WARREN, NJ -- (Marketwire) -- 06/08/09 -- Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) is making it even easier for families on the go to stay connected by offering more minutes and more options to choose from as part of the company's contract (postpaid) plans. On Wednesday, June 10, 2009, Virgin Mobile USA will unveil three new contract plans for families:

--  $175/month All-In plan with 4000 shared anytime minutes -- unlike
    comparable plans, this includes unlimited messaging and data services
--  $50 A La Carte plan including 600 shared anytime minutes with
    unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes
--  An additional 200 shared anytime minutes added to the current
    $100/month A La Carte plan -- more talk time without spending more money
    

This suite of Virgin Mobile USA contract family plans includes unlimited 7 pm night and weekend minutes, unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to all Virgin Mobile USA contract and no-annual-contract customers, high-speed 3G mobile Web access, and no domestic roaming or long distance charges.

The All-In family plans include unlimited text messaging and unlimited data and the A La Carte family plans offer the flexibility of add-on text packs: 300 text messages for $4.99/month, or unlimited text messaging for $9.99/month. Data services included in Virgin Mobile USA's family plans offer instant access to some of these mobile must-haves:

--  Connect(TM) - Link to Facebook®, YouTube(TM) Mobile, MySpace(TM),
    Flickr(TM), and more, all at the same time. Get updates, alerts, photos and
    invites delivered to your phone instantly, all in one place.

--  MyPix(TM) - Share your world instantly. It's now easier than ever to
    snap photos with your phone and share adventures and special moments with
    others.

--  GPS-enabled Google Maps(TM) - Get to where you want to go, search for
    businesses by location, get directions, and see real-time traffic
    conditions all from the palm of your hand.
    

"Virgin Mobile USA understands that when it comes to cell phone plans, one-size-fits-all doesn't apply," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile USA. "Just like our popular no-annual-contract plans, these family contract plans give customers ultimate flexibility so they get great value out of every minute and stay connected without compromising quality."

Up to four additional lines can be added to any family plan for $35 per month/per line (All-in) or $10 per month/per line (A La Carte). The new rates apply to Virgin Mobile USA's contract handset lineup including the Ocean, Ocean 2, Mysto, Fin and Heat.

Virgin Mobile USA's contract plans also make it easier to connect with friends and families overseas. Competitive rates are always available and now, customers who sign up for a Virgin Mobile contract plan between June 10 and August 31, 2009 will be able to make calls to South Korea for only 5¢ per minute(1).

(1) Standard airtime rates apply to all international calls.

                     Virgin
Country Landline   Mobile USA                        T-
 Rates/Minutes     - Contract  ATT  Verizon Sprint Mobile
----------------   ---------- -----  -----  -----  -----
Mexico Landline        $0.25  $0.49  $0.49  $0.39  $0.49
Mexico Mobile          $0.25  $0.65  $0.65  $0.57  $0.49
El Salvador Landline   $0.50  $2.19  $1.49  $0.99  $1.49
El Salvador Mobile     $0.50  $2.30  $1.52  $0.99  $1.49
Guatemala Landline     $0.50  $2.19  $1.49  $1.49  $1.49
Guatemala Mobile       $0.50  $2.23  $1.51  $1.49  $1.49
Honduras Landline      $0.50  $2.19  $1.49  $1.99  $1.49
Honduras Mobile        $0.50  $2.24  $1.51  $1.99  $1.49
South Korea            $0.05* $3.49  $1.49  $0.99  $0.99
China                  $0.10  $3.49  $1.53  $1.49  $1.49
Canada                 $0.10  $0.29  $0.49  $0.39  $0.20
Philippines            $0.25  $3.49  $1.49  $0.99  $0.99

*Comparison based on competitive pricing data published on competitor
websites as of June 8, 2009.

*Promotional Rate.  Non-promotional rate is $0.10/min.

More information on Virgin Mobile USA's new family plan rates can be found online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com as of June 10th.

About Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.

Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. (NYSE: VM), through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than 5 million customers control, flexibility and choice through Virgin Mobile's Plans Without Annual Contracts, with coverage powered by the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile USA also offers unlimited all-in contract plans with advanced devices like the Ocean 2.

More than 90% of its customers report satisfaction. Virgin Mobile USA service recently announced its Pink Slip Protection program, which provides eligible monthly plan customers who lose their jobs and become eligible for state unemployment benefits free service for up to three months*. Its full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/, with Top-Up cards available at almost 150,000 locations.

*Subject to certain terms and conditions

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=999071

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Contact information:
Corinne Nosal
Virgin Mobile USA
908-607-4235
Email Contact

Justine Navaja
SHIFT Communications
917-723-7209
Email Contact

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