Ampd Mobile

Amp'd Mobile

Amp'd Mobile is a premiere MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) which has its primary focus on high-end multimedia content. Amp'd Mobile does not have a network of its own, per se, rather operating on the Verizon Wireless CDMA EV-DO network. One problem with this is that they do not have access to regular 2G CDMA and 1xRTT networks, and as such, Amp'd Mobile only works in metropolitan areas (generally) where Verizon Wireless dishes out high-speed 3G data.

The target demographic for Amp'd Mobile is the 18-35 year age group, a tech-savvy generation who will settle for nothing less than the absolute best in mobile multimedia entertainment. As such, it makes perfect sense that one of Amp'd Mobile's primary investors is MTV Networks. They also receive substantial support from Universal Music Group.

Multimedia Content Comes First

Multimedia features most prominent in Amp'd Mobile's sales pitch. All three of the company's handsets (outlined in a section a little later in this article) are designed with mobile entertainment in mind. Not only will you be able to enjoy pictures and music, but live, streaming video as well. In fact, Amp'd Mobile is the exclusive mobile provider of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, as well as a fun new cartoon called Lil' Bush about -- you guessed it -- a childhood version of current US President George W. Bush.

Among some of the high-end content available to Amp'd Mobile customers are mobile games, contemporary wallpapers and ringtones, music, entertainment, and sports. As a whole, this entertainment package is referred to as Amp'd Live.

Amp'd Cell Plans

Great mobile entertainment doesn't come cheap, of course. Amp'd Mobile has their plans broken down into three different types of packages:

• Pay-As-You-Go: For people who don’t use their cell phones all that much, this prepaid option may be best. At just 10 cents a minute, any day, any time of the day, Amp'd offers one of the best pay-as-you-go rates out there. Best as you go, you still have "easy access to games, music, videos, live events and much more."

• Hybrid Plans: Average users would probably feel most at home with the hybrid plans, which offer more minutes than pay-as-you-go, but without going overboard with the higher end plans. No need for a credit check or a long-term contract. Hybrid plans range from $30 to $100 a month for between 500 and 3000 anytime minutes.

• Feature Plans: Want to get "Amp'd"? Then these top-tier plans are perfect for you. They offer the full Amp'd experience, from the $50 "End the Boredom" plan, right up to the best of the best, the $150 Amp'd Unlimited plan (with unlimited minutes, push-to-talk, text messages, and tons of content)

Available Cell Phones

Amp'd Mobile only carries three phones, two of which are identical other than their outward appearance:

• Motorola Hollywood: A stylish Moto flip phone that offers plenty of functionality and connectivity. Key features include a personalized user interface, 1.3 megapixel camera, MPEG-4 video recorder, music player, and microSD expansion.

• Kyocera Jet: A sleek slider phone with a large, vibrant color display. Like the Hollywood, the Jet also comes with a personalized user interface, microSD expansion, and a built-in media player, though the on-board camera is only VGA (0.3 megapixels). A worthy trade-off for such a nice looking package.

• Kyocera Angel: Functionally identical to the Jet, the Angel is simply that other phone wrapped in white casing instead of black.

Amp'd Mobile Heading to Canada

The approach will be a little different than that taken in the United States, but Amp'd Mobile is taking their brand north of the 49th parallel via Telus Mobility. Ryan Maule of Mobile Magazine recently sat down with Chris Houston, President of Amp'd Mobile Canada, and they discussed the upcoming launch and what Amp'd could do for Canadians. The expected launch date is January 2007.

Check out that interview here.