What is the backbone of Solavei

By Mogie Patton


Previous Motricity CEO Ryan Wuerch is acquiring back in the wireless game using the upcoming start of Solavei, a mobile virtual network agent having an unusual enterprise model which will use its customers to tout its $49 per month limitless voice, text and data plan to their pals and earn additional money within the method.

The MVNO will operate on T-Mobile USA's GSM network. Customers will pay a $49 startup fee and then $49 per month for service. They can use their existing unlocked GSM smartphones or purchase an unsubsidized device from Solavei, which will range in price from $160 to $500. The first device is the HTC One, but the company will also sell a model from ZTE.

The services are presently in beta mode with approximately two,000 customers. Yet another 12,000 folks have signed up to join when Solavei officially debuts at the finish of September.

According to Solavei's Head of Products Jim Ryan, another former Motricity executive and the former vice president of data at AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T), the basic value proposition for the company is that consumers are hooked on data, yet data keeps getting more expensive. "We saw this as an opportunity. How can we do this more efficiently than a mobile service provider?" The conclusion was to eliminate some of the costs by not offering phone subsidies, reducing customer care costs by delivering the experience online, and getting rid of marketing and advertising costs by having the customers sell the service to their friends. "We will create a social commerce network that appreciates people's participation," Ryan said.

That involvement from clients is what makes Solavei not the same as other low-cost MVNOs. Since the organization relies upon consumers to register other clients, Ryan said Solavei will spend each client $20 for each and every "trio" or three consumers that they register. Consumers will also get paid if the folks they sign up then enroll other individuals.

Ryan declared that the business intends to target the 70 million or more prepaid wireless subscribers at present in the U.S., but he also considers opportunity in other areas, including folks that are coming off postpaid contracts. Furthermore, he expects some people will likely escape their commitment with their existing operator after they understand that they are able to possibly earn the money back they lose from breaking their agreement by referring Solavei to their buddies.

Solavei is well backed, having just sealed on its next round of financing; the business is valued at more than $120 million. Additionally, it comes with a high-profile board of advisors which includes David Limp, v . p . of Amazon, John Miller, primary digital officer at News Corp., and Sue Nokes, the previous COO of T-Mobile USA.




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