WARREN, N.J., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Mobile USA, the leading
wireless youth network with more than 4.6 million customers, today
announced it is extending its mobile search functionality by integrating a
WAP-based local search application from JumpTap, Inc., a pioneer in the
development of innovative, carrier-centric mobile search technology.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061010/NYTU040LOGO )
Launching this week, the new local search application enables Virgin
Mobile USA customers to type in specific search terms, along with a zip
code or city and state, to find anything local -- from pizza shops to the
closest CD store. The new capabilities also allow customers to search for
local maps and directions to and from destinations, from their mobile
phones. Now, Virgin Mobile offers on-and off-portal search in one easy,
WAP-based application.
Since February, JumpTap's white label mobile search engine has been
"behind the scenes," helping Virgin Mobile USA's customers quickly discover
the broadest amount of content, such as ringtones, wallpapers, graphics and
games -- both from within Virgin Mobile's own suite of content (on-portal),
as well as out on the mobile Web (off-portal). Virgin Mobile USA also uses
JumpTap's mobile services to organize and deliver relevant results to
customers' mobile phones through both sponsored and organic links,
providing relevant information that is easy to read and navigate.
"Local search provides our customers with quick and easy access to
information right from their cell phones," said Dominick Tolli, vice
president, Mobile Data Services for Virgin Mobile USA. "By simply typing in
a zip code, they can find restaurants, stores, maps and directions while
they're out and about. Our customers no longer need to scramble to get to
their computers for this type of local search information. JumpTap has
proven to be one of the market's leading providers of mobile search
services and we are pleased to be extending our partnership with them to
further enhance our services."
"JumpTap is committed to providing wireless carriers with the best
possible applications to help their customers find the right on-and
off-portal content in an appropriate format," said Dan Olschwang, JumpTap's
president and chief executive officer. "Likewise, by enhancing its mobile
search services with our local search application, Virgin Mobile USA is
demonstrating its own commitment to provide its customers with a mobile
experience that makes searching on one's mobile phone fun, fast and easy.
We are pleased that Virgin Mobile USA has chosen to extend its partnership
with us for local search, and we look forward to a long-standing
relationship into the future."
The local search application is available on all Virgin Mobile
3G-enabled phones including the MarbL, Slice and Switch_Back. Access to the
VirginXL suite of mobile content applications costs 10 cents a day, but
there is no additional cost for search.
About JumpTap, Inc.
JumpTap, Inc. is the leader in mobile search and advertising solutions
reaching 40% of North American wap subscribers and commercially deployed on
9 mobile operators in North America and Europe. Recently selected by IDC as
one of the 10 emerging mobile players to watch in 2007 and awarded the 2007
Entrepreneurial Award for Mobility by Frost and Sullivan, JumpTap has
developed the most comprehensive search and advertising solutions in the
market. JumpTap's operator-branded solutions enable operators to maintain
their direct relationship with their subscribers, and offer a fast, easy
and fun search experience, while generating and retaining valuable search
and advertising revenues. For more information, please visit
http://www.jumptap.com.
About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
The nation's leading wireless youth network, Virgin Mobile USA provides
more than 4.6 million customers with control, flexibility and choice in
wireless service, rich data content and innovative products without annual
contracts. Voice pricing plans range from monthly options with unlimited
nights and weekends to by-the-minute offers, allowing consumers to adjust
how and what they pay according to their needs. Virgin Mobile's full slate
of smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the popular
Switch_Back and Slice, are available at top retailers in more than 35,000
locations nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com, with
Top-Up cards available at more than 130,000 locations.
Virgin Mobile USA's service is powered by the nationwide Sprint PCS
network, and the company, which launched in 2002, is a joint venture
between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint Nextel. J.D. Power
and Associates has ranked Virgin Mobile highest in customer satisfaction
among wireless prepaid services, and its own customers report a 94%
satisfaction rate. Check this number with research and let peter know if we
need to change it Virgin Mobile contributes 5% of profits from downloadable
content to The RE*Generation, its pro-social initiative to help homeless
teens, through donations to charitable partners or funding of programs that
support and raise awareness for young people in need; and provides
postage-paid return envelopes in every new package for customers to recycle
old phones.
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SOURCE Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
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Related links:
http://www.virginmobileusa.com
http://www.jumptap.com/
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061010/NYTU040LOGO
CONTACT:
Corinne Nosal of Virgin Mobile USA,
+1-908-607-4235, corinne.nosal@virginmobileusa.com; or Peter
Gorman of Topaz Partners, +1-781-404-2430,
jumptap@topazpartners.com, for JumpTap (US); or Melissa Connerton
of CooperKatz, +1-212-455-8001, mconnerton@cooperkatz.com, for
Virgin Mobile USA; or Richard George of Nelson Bostock
Communications, +44-0-20-7229-4400,
richard.george@nelsonbostock.com, for JumpTap (Europe)
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