Virgin Mobile bails out Helio

Virgin Mobile will acquire failed mobile virtual network operator Helio for $39 million in equity and, if the last two years are a trend, much more in costs. Founded as a joint venture between Earthlink and SK Telecom, Helio burned through $560 million in its first two years. [PaidContent]

Helio, Virgin Mobile in merger talks

SK Telecom, the backer of money-losing wireless startup Helio, could buy out Virgin Mobile USA and combine it with Helio. [MocoNews.net]

Virgin Mobile IPO fails to pop

Some IPOs — like Google and VMWare—are impressive from the start. Others — like Vonage, which has fallen 85 percent since going public — fall flat. Virgin Mobile, with its cherry brand name and backers, should have had a sparkling debut. And yet it didn't. More »