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Wireless Week
Breaking News from news@2direct
September 28, 2006
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Mobile ESPN Ends Wireless Game
By Sue Marek

After just seven months of service, Mobile ESPN is calling it quits.
The high-profile mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which launched its service on Super Bowl Sunday in early February, announced this morning that it will remain active to current customers until at least Dec. 31.

Existing customers that want to discontinue service before that time will be released from their contract without penalty. In addition, customers who purchased Mobile ESPN phones will receive a full refund of their purchase price upon settlement of their final Mobile ESPN bill.

The firm will contact all customers before the end of the year to let them know their future service options and to help them transition to a new service provider.

Mobile ESPN has been under fire in the past several months because if its inability to attract a large number of subscribers. Although the company never released its subscriber figures, it was rumored in June to have just 10,000 customers. The firm hoped to sell its service to hard-core sports fans with tailored sports content.

Salil Mehta, executive vice president with ESPN Enterprises, says that ESPN will continue to pursue a licensing model for its content.