i-wireless
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunication |
| Founded | 2006[1] |
| Headquarters | Newport, Kentucky |
| Key people | Paul McAleese (CEO) |
| Services | Mobile virtual network operator |
| Website | www.iwirelesshome.com |
i-wireless is an American mobile virtual network operator that uses the CDMA Sprint PCS network to provide nationwide coverage.[2] Domestic roaming (except 9-1-1 calls), and accessing service abroad from a subscriber's cell phone is not currently available. The company was originally based next to Kroger headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has now relocated directly across the Ohio River to Newport, Kentucky.[3] Since 2009, i-wireless has several rate plans for calling and text messaging.[4] Rate plans can be viewed at the i-wireless website, www.iwirelesshome.com. The business was trialled in 130 Kroger stores in 2006, before being rolled out by mid-2008 to over 2,200 branches of the Kroger group, including affiliated stores such as Dillons, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and Fry's Food and Drug (not to be confused with Fry's Electronics).[1] The stores also sell airtime refill cards and some accessories. Although the company has an exclusive contract with Kroger, it is considering working with other retailers in parts of the country where the chain does not operate.[1]
Airtime refill cards are available in five denominations, with various expiration periods as shown below. In parentheses is the minimum monthly expenditure if the same denomination refill card is used repeatedly upon the expiration of the previous paid minutes (assumes 360-day year). Automatic billing to a credit or debit card is also available. Sale tax (if any) will be added. This will be based on the address of the card used.
- $10 30-day validity ($10/mo min.)
- $20 90-day validity ($6.67/mo min.)
- $25 60-day validity ($12.50/mo min.)
- $50 90-day validity ($16.67/mo min.)
- $75 90-day validity ($25.00/mo min.)
Any previously unused airtime balance will be rolled over into the next period if more funds are added the day before the expiration date. (Company's slogan: "Never lose your airtime.") Otherwise, the balance resets to zero, and calls and texts cannot be made or received (except 9-1-1 emergency and 6-1-1 customer service). Inactive accounts along with their corresponding phone numbers and frozen voice mail may be cancelled after 60 days. Maximum permissible balance is $300 which cannot grow by more than $150 within one day.[5]
Voice mail is provided for free to all accounts. There is no charge for unanswered incoming voice mail messages or retrieving such messages from another phone using a PIN (will ring 6 to 8 times before access). Regular airtime charges apply for retrieving messages with one's own i-wireless phone. Unlike most other carriers, incoming text messages are also free.
i-wireless acts similar to other prepaid carriers, offering no contracts or credit checks to purchase their phones. One perk they offer is a loyalty program, giving their customers "FREE MINUTES" for shopping at Kroger-owned stores. (Food-4-Less and Foods Co. do not have a loyalty program, but nevertheless sell i-Wireless products.) Twenty free minutes can be earned for every $100 spent. The program is similar to Kroger's fuel program, and links a customer's loyalty card to his or her i-wireless phone number.[6] Free minutes do not affect the expiration date of the account and will be lost (along with paid minutes) if new funds are not added.
Although i-wireless uses the Sprint network, text messages originating from the internet and other non-cellular systems are not forwarded through from Sprint to i-wireless. Therefore, only cell phone to cell phone text messaging and other bona fide SMS (e.g. Skype) is possible.
i-wireless also sells mobile broadband using a supplied usb adapter (with a one-time fee) at the following rates (data allowance not carried over if unused):
- $5/day for 100 MB of data
- $20/week for 300 MB of data
- $40/month for 1 GB of data
- $60/month for 5 GB of data
In 2010, i-wireless offered their first ever smartphone: the Sanyo Zio. This is a full feature Android phone with a 3-inch touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera, and full-function web-browser.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Woyke, Elizabeth (16 June 2008). "Avoid The Big Carriers!". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/15/mobile-virtual-network-tech-wireless08-cx_ew_0616mvno.html. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Slater, Sherry (23 September 2007). "Kroger makes space for phones a la carte". The Journal Gazette. http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070923/BIZ/709230424. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Contact Us". i-wireless. https://www.iwirelesshome.com/contactus/.
- ^ "Rates". i-wireless. https://www.iwirelesshome.com/rates/. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Terms and Conditions". i-wireless. https://www.iwirelesshome.com/terms.
- ^ Pilcher, James (May 29, 2009). "Kroger card adds free wireless minutes". The Cincinnati Enquirer. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090529/BIZ01/905300336/Kroger+card+adds+free+wireless+minutes.
[edit] External links
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