14 DAY TRIAL // Virgin Mobile, North America's most famous MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), is getting ready to offer a location-based entertainment service to its subscribers. More exactly, the operator has partnered with buzzd, a New York-based company, to come up with "buzzd on Virgin" – a service that will soon be embedded in all of Virgin Mobile's handsets sold across the US.
The service will allow users to access and share local entertainment info (including upcoming venues and events, plus reviews), directly from their phones, through Virgin's WAP deck. You can browse and search events (from the US, Europe or India), pricing info and location details, then share them with friends via SMS.
"Our community has a healthy appetite for entertainment, fun and what's happening around them. buzzd on Virgin Mobile is a free and open service that gives our members timely content from the likes of Time Out Magazine while, as usual for Virgin Mobile, respects their privacy with opt-in location," says Ron Faris, director of Brand Development and Partnerships for Virgin Mobile USA.
Nihal Mehta, chief executive officer of buzzd, added, "We trust that buzzd on Virgin Mobile will turn the cell phone into a remote control that accesses the best a city has to offer. We're pleased that Virgin Mobile customers now have easy access to finding out the most timely information on their local bars, clubs, restaurants, events and more."
In case you don't know, buzzd is the same company that, earlier this year, announced it would provide services for another North American MVNO, namely Helio. Since Helio has now been acquired by Virgin Mobile, it's somehow natural for VM to carry on what buzzd and the former company wanted to start.
Virgin Mobile's customers can register to buzzd as of now, via the Virgin XL portal or by sending a text message with the word "JOIN" to 96321.