AOL Adds Virgin Mobile USA to its Buddy List Feature

WARREN, N.J., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Mobile customers addicted to Instant Messaging can finally break free from the shackles of their PC. That's because Virgin Mobile USA and America Online, Inc. have teamed up to bring the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service to the device young people love the most -- their mobile phone.

Starting this month, Virgin Mobile users can chat with their buddies wherever they go, sending and receiving IMs right from their phones. Virgin Mobile users can IM their buddies whether those friends are logged in on a PC, or on any AIM-enabled mobile phone.

"IM is a huge part of our customers' lives. It's an everyday form of communication for them," says Howard Handler, chief marketing officer of Virgin Mobile USA. "So it's a logical next step to bring this fun, familiar service to our phones. In doing so, we wanted to partner with a like-minded brand like AOL, which really understands and appreciates our key demographic."

"Teens and young adults alike are super connected, and both the desktop and mobile AIM services are a way of life for them. It's not unusual to see our heavy users exchanging instant messages as they move through their day -- from home to school or work and even while on the road," said Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager, AIM and ICQ, America Online, Inc. "We're extremely pleased to welcome Virgin Mobile's community of subscribers to our global network, already more than 70 million users(1) strong."

The new Snapper phone by UTStarcom (formerly Audiovox) will be Virgin Mobile's first handset that is enabled for the AIM service. This snappy little clamshell beauty hits shelves this week. The mobile AIM service will also roll out on other new Virgin Mobile handsets poised for launch later this year.

To power the AIM service on Virgin Mobile phones, Virgin Mobile and AOL worked with technology provider OZ -- whose Mobile IM Solution allows wireless operators to serve up mobile IM with the look and feel of the familiar desktop IM experience.

"We are very excited to be collaborating with Virgin Mobile in empowering their subscribers to stay connected while they are on the move," said Skuli Mogensen, CEO and Founder of OZ. "Mobile IM and Mobile Email, is transforming the way people use their phones as it enables them to stay in touch with the people that matter most when they are not in front of their PC's, we are pleased to be extending the power of the world's most popular IM services to mobile users worldwide."

(1) According to comScore Media Metrix, July 2005. SIMPLE MONTHLY PRICING

The mobile AIM service is free to download to the Virgin Mobile Snapper handset, either from the Virgin Mobile Web site http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ or from the VirginXL content menu on the handset itself.

Once the mobile AIM service is downloaded, users pay just $3.99 per month for their first 150 messages. If a customer uses up all of his/her messages before the end of the month, they will automatically receive another 50 messages for just $0.99 more. Customers can check the "Options" menu from the main screen of the mobile AIM application to see how many messages they have left.

To get started, all a user needs is an AOL or AIM Screen Name and password, available free of charge at http://www.aim.com/. If a customer doesn't have or want to use an existing screen name, he/she can also create a new name directly through the Snapper handset.

Once the mobile AIM service is enabled, a customer's buddies can send him/her an IM even if the customer is not signed on to IM on their phone. The Snapper will alert the customer when a new IM arrives, even when the application is closed.

About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC:

Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC is the nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and first wireless carrier exclusively focused on the youth market. Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates one of the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless networks in the United States. In just two-and-one-half years, more than three million wireless users have rejected long-term contracts and taken control of their wireless spending with Virgin Mobile's Pay As You Go service. Virgin Mobile customers have exclusive access to VirginXtras and VirginXL- a suite of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including *MTV mobile content created by our strategic partner MTV: Music Television. In addition, J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" under its Certified Call Center Program.(SM)

Phones are available at more than 20,000 locations nationwide with Top-Up cards available at more than 60,000 locations nationwide. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ or by calling 888-322-1122.

About the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) Service

The AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) (AIM(R)) service (http://www.aim.com/) is at the center of one of the largest and most active communities online, and is available for use on computers, mobile phones and other handheld devices. With a network infrastructure that handles more than 2 billion instant messages each day, the AIM service enables people around the world to connect in real time via text, audio or video instant messaging, and to engage in shared activities, such as casual gaming and picture-sharing.

About America Online, Inc.:

America Online, Inc. (http://www.aol.com/) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc . Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

About OZ:

OZ empowers consumers to stay connected with mobile IM and email solutions that provide users with a seamless and always-on mobile messaging experience. Working with the leading mobile operators, portals/ISPs and handset manufacturers, OZ delivers innovative and standards-based solutions that provide rich and fully integrated messaging experiences on millions of mobile devices. OZ is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with regional offices in the US and Europe. For more information, visit the OZ website at http://www.oz.com/.

Web site: http://www.virginmobileusa.com http://www.oz.com http://www.aol.com