News 2001
Making your mobile much more than a phone
20/02/2001
Virgin Mobile unveils range of personalised and localised information, shopping and entertainment services
Virgin Mobile today announced the latest addition to its exclusive suite of money-saving mobile services - VirginXtras - creating the most exciting and innovative range of services available on any network in the UK.
Complementing the original 'Ready to use' VirginXtras - which have given customers access to special music offers, holiday discounts and advice on what to do and where to go since Virgin Mobile launched in November 1999 - VirginXtras today adds a dynamic dimension. The 26 new services can also let customers get information that is personal and unique to them, and where they live.
VirginXtras uses a mix of voice, IVR, SMS and WAP to deliver services in the most relevant way to consumers. There is no need to register. But the service can be tailor-made to each individual - as well as localised to their area - when customers spend a few minutes explaining their likes and preferences on Virgin Mobile's web site.
Virgin Mobile customers logging on to www.virgin.com/mobile simply pre-select the things that interest them most from seven core categories, including: sport, music, going out, staying in, travel, shopping and fun. Then Your VirginXtras lets them know when there is something they really need to know! A news alert is sent straight to the customer's phone by SMS text message, and those with a WAP phone can log-on to find out more, or they can call into Virgin Mobile's customer centre for follow-up information too. So whether people are after the most recent film releases at their local cinema, football scores for their favourite team or a recommendation for a top night out, Your VirginXtras offers the latest and best in personalised and localised information.
What you get with the new VirginXtras:
- Sport - VirginXtras offers footie, rugby, golf and cricket news and results, as well as information on who's playing who, league tables, and all the latest sporting news. And Your VirginXtras will send you the latest news and scores on your favourite teams when you want it. It's as easy as selecting a team!
- Music - covers the latest chart news and music gossip and keeps music lovers up to speed with the latest releases. By setting up personal preferences on Your VirginXtras for a favourite group, customers get updates telling them where their band is playing next, when the tickets are on sale, and we'll provide a direct dial into the ticket hotline.
- Going Out - Events news, cinema releases and a what's on guide for everyone. And by telling us the name of the town where you live, Your VirginXtras gives tailor-made tips on what's happening at your local cinema, clubs, pubs and restaurants.
- Staying In - is the quickest route to finding out about the latest computer game, video and DVD releases, to rent and buy, and Your VirginXtras even tells you when that DVD you want has been released, and offers you a discount on it.
- Travel Whether it be sand and sea or snowboarding that's important, we can offer you the latest travel information and bargains on Virgin Holidays, and Your VirginXtras can tell you about the latest offers as and when they appear.
- Shopping - VirginXtras has always provided shopping bargains on electrical goods, music, games, videos and wines, and now Your VirginXtras sends a note letting you know when new bargains are available.
- Fun - No-one wins without the magic numbers! Your VirginXtras can send the National Lottery results direct to your mobile every Saturday and Wednesday. A daily horoscope is on offer too - you never know, it might even tell you if you are going to win the Lottery!
- Personal Organiser - never again will you miss an important birthday, anniversary or meeting as Your VirginXtras lets you know when to get your act together. It also doubles up as your personal assistant - with a 'to do' list and address book. You can even send emails to other people's PCs, TVs or mobile phones.
Working in partnership with InfoSpace of the Untied States, Your VirginXtras has been designed to help customers get the most out of their mobile, and to help them shop with discounts and savings×. Virgin Mobile's latest technology means that when customers see the offer they like, they can simply press the call button to be transferred to a customer centre. Content for the services comes from a number of sources including Virgin Net, Virgin Megastores and Blockbuster.
Says Nick White, Manager of VirginXtras at Virgin Mobile: "Your VirginXtras is 100% focused on making a mobile more than a phone. It is designed to give customers exactly what they want, when they want it, wherever they want it - and we aim to deliver in the most appropriate way, whether by WAP, text, IVR or even with a human touch. We have seen lots of hype about mobile phone technologies, but we are more interested in what phones can actually do for you. Our approach is to help customers get the information they want, in the most accessible and easy-to-understand way. Your VirginXtras puts service over technology, people over prescription."
Your VirginXtras is available to all customers on the Virgin Mobile network regardless of their phone type - customers can select text-messaging updates, which are sent direct to their phone for free, unlike with some rival networks.
Your VirginXtras is not a WAP-based service although it does provide a personalised mobile Internet experience for those who request it and have a compatible phone××. Customers with WAP-enabled phones can request both text-based information through SMS, as well as opting to access their choices through a fast-track personalised WAP menu - meaning customers only see the internet pages they want to.
Note to editors:
× Calls made to recommended merchants through VirginXtras and Your VirginXtras are charged at 10p a minute. WAP access is charged at the Virgin Mobile standard call tariff.
×× Virgin Mobile currently has five WAP enabled phones in its range, the Alcatel 302, Siemens C35i, Siemens M35i, Siemens S35i and the Motorola Timeport P7389.
Press information, contact press.office@virginmobile.com or call:
Steven Day, Virgin Mobile on +44 7931 777777 or at steven.day@virginmobile.com
Alison Bonny, Virgin Mobile on +44 (0)20 7484 4323 or at alison.bonny@virginmobile.com
Emma Goold, Big-mouths.com on +44 (0)20 7385 0009 or at emma@big-mouths.com
About Virgin Mobile:
Virgin Mobile is now established as the most successful virtual network operator in the world. Since its launch in November 1999 it has attracted over 750,000 customers making it one of the fastest growing mobile phone companies ever.
Virgin Mobile is a 50:50 joint venture company between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Deutsche Telekom's One 2 One, and is the UK's first mobile virtual operator.
It has scored a number of firsts, including being the first operator to scrap peak rate calls, introduce a daily discounting tariff and was the first company in the world to introduce an integrated MP3 mobile phone.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600; on the web at www.virgin.com/mobile; or on the High Street at over 3,500 outlets including Virgin Megastores, Our Price, V Shops and in supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury.
Virgin has already taken the brand overseas with Virgin Mobile (Australia), a partnership with Cable and Wireless Optus, which opened for business at the end of October 2000. A similar joint-venture between Virgin and Singapore Telecom will see the launch of Virgin Mobile (Asia) in summer 2001. The global Virgin Mobile brand is also expected to launch in the USA and Europe within two years.
