Nokia will create its own cellphone service in Japan, piggybacking on NTT Docomo’s infrastructure there. That’s right, it’ll be a VMNO. (Those have done so well…) It’s scheduled to launch in the springtime.

Nokia is expected to use the service to market its high-end phones, presumably including its N96.

In March this year, Disney carried out another attempt, but this time in Japan, where the brand has been super-popular for decades now. Disney Japan teamed up with local telecom conglomerate SoftBank to become the country’s first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering both voice and data services.

In Japan, Disney strategically about-faced by pursuing an OEM-like strategy: They leave back-end operations (distribution, price planning, sales, billing, etc.) to their partner and focus on bringing content, design know-how and brand value into the partnership.

Japanese customers can sign up for Disney Mobile at over 2,000 SoftBank stores and buy jointly designed handsets featuring various Disney characters. Subscribers are able to download Disney cartoons, games or ringtones, jump to exclusive Disney web sites by pressing a dedicated button on their phones and use @disney.ne.jp as their mobile mail address. Another accommodation to local peculiarities: The main target customers in Japan aren’t kids but women in their 20s and 30s.

So far, the change in strategy seems to have worked out well. For example, Disney Mobile just recently reached agreements with mobile giants Mobage-town and Mixi Mobile (the cell phone version of Japan’s biggest social network), which now feature Disney characters on their sites.

Let’s be honest. We’ve seen this coming for more than a month now and the Financial Times is reporting that VM and Helio could announce sometime this week that the two MVNOs will merge leaving SK Telecom with a 20 percent stake. There have been rumors floating around that Helio stores will shut their doors in an effort to cut costs, which we haven’t been able to confirm nor deny, but we’re pretty sure they’re true. We’re unsure which stores will close, but I’d like to think that the NYC store that’s 200 meters away from me will remain open. We’ll have to wait and see, though. Now that all this merger nonsense is over with, I’d like for Helio to release OZ2.

Reuters is also reporting on this matter. Sources say Helio will be absorbed into the Virgin Mobile brand. Maybe we won’t see OZ2 with the backlit Helio name. I guess I’m ok with Virgin.

Yama hama, look what Virgin Mobile just did. Starting July 1st you can get on the company’s new “Totally Unlimited” plan for $79.99 per month (no contract required), which includes unlimited voice minutes. For $10 more per month, you can get “Unlimited Text & Messaging, with texting, IM, email and picture messages.” If you’re a big talker and you don’t require a smartphone or PDA phone for more robust data services, this is a hell of a deal.

Ball’s in your court now, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Unlimited voice plans from all the major carriers start at $99 per month, with a two-year contract required.

Full release after the jump…

VIRGIN MOBILE USA TO INTRODUCE LOWEST-PRICED UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE CALLING WITH NO ROAMING OR LONG DISTANCE CHARGES, NO ACTIVATION FEES OR ANNUAL CONTRACTS

New "TOTALLY UNLIMITED" Calling for Just $79.99 Available July 1

With No Annual Contract or Credit Card Required

WARREN, N.J., June 24 – For many Americans these days, expenses seem a lot more "unlimited" than wireless phone offers. With the cost of gas, air travel and other items, it seems the sky is the limit for what we have to spend.  That’s why Virgin Mobile USA will unveil its new "Totally Unlimited" calling plan for $79.99 on July 1, the lowest priced and first unlimited nationwide calling plan without roaming charges or an annual contract that can be purchased by cash or credit.

"’Totally Unlimited’ for 79.99 per month is simply a better value than postpaid plans offer," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer of Virgin Mobile USA. "It is simply not necessary to sign a two-year contract to get real worth with your wireless plan. This offer surpasses the regional carriers’ unlimited calling plans as well, as most add on roaming charges that can cost customers as much as 79 cents per minute. With ‘Totally Unlimited,’ Virgin Mobile USA is providing consumers unlimited talk without all the limitations."

Consumers who opt for Virgin Mobile USA’s new "Totally Unlimited" calling plan will be able to talk as much as they want each month across days, nights, weekdays and weekends.  The Totally Unlimited plan – like all Virgin Mobile USA calling plans – will be available for purchase with cash using Top-Up cards, or with credit/debit for maximum convenience.  For just $10.00 more per month, consumers can add Unlimited Text & Messaging, with texting, IM, email and picture messages.  Initial information on "Totally Unlimited" is available now at http://web.virginmobileusa.com/unlimited.  As of July 1, customers can get information in more than 40,000 retail outlets, at www.virginmobileusa.com, or by calling Customer Care at 888-322-1122. 

The "Totally Unlimited" calling plan joins a range of new enhancements to Virgin Mobile USA’s voice and messaging plans – both Pay As You Go and Monthly – that were unveiled this past March.  Those new offers include a host of highly competitive Monthly and Pay As You Go plans without annual contracts, as well as new Top-Up card denominations and a range of Text & Messaging Packs including the $10 Unlimited Messaging offer that is available on all Monthly plans. 

Virgin Mobile USA also offers a range of high-quality and affordable cell phones from leading manufacturers ranging from $19.99 to $99.99, including the new Flare and Slash, and the popular Wild Card.  There is no additional charge for voicemail, call waiting or Virgin Mobile USA’s award-winning customer service.  The company has attractive international rates as well, such as calls for as low as five cents a minute to Mexico.

Virgin Mobile USA spells out for consumers exactly how its prepaid voice and text & messaging options stack up overall against other carriers with easy-to-understand comparison charts posted at http://web.virginmobileusa.com/about/why-choose-us.

We’ve heard weirder rumors about the future of Helio, our favorite MVNO, but this one’s got some interesting aspects to it. The buzz is that Virgin Mobile is looking to pick up Helio and merge the services, and in some ways the idea makes sense.

Virgin is the leading MVNO for low-end handsets. They sell utilitarian phones and services to people who just make calls. You can buy their gear at 7/11. What it doesn’t have is a high-end or smartphone product line for sophisticated users.

Helio is all high-end, with data-centric handsets and interactive features for power users. What it doesn’t have are low-end offerings or good distribution.

Thus, they would be a good match. But will it happen? SK Telecom still owns Helio and has the cash to keep it afloat as long as it wants, but it can’t buy Helio’s way into the stores. So will the merger happen? We’ll see, but don’t count it out, it’s an interesting idea from many angles.

[Please see the update at the end of this post.]

According to VentureBeat’s Matt Marshall, the US division of Virgin Mobile is considering the layoffs in the face of poor stock performance. Those affected would come mostly from the Northern California offices in Walnut Creek along with some marketing and sales people in New Jersey.

Virgin Mobile USA apparently only has around 450 total employees, so a 300-person cut would be pretty aggressive. Part of the reason for Virgin’s failure to perform admirably, according to Marshall, stems from the fact that it’s hard for a US-based MVNO to win enough subscribers away from the already-established wireless companies here.

It might work well with kids (this is my opinion now) as a first phone, but a lot of people have been with the same company for a while and either don’t know much about Virgin other than “it’s basically Sprint” or don’t see big enough savings to necessitate a switch. Look at what’s happened recently to Amp’d and Helio for more examples of how an MVNO can fail or falter despite its best efforts.

Still, all is not lost for Virgin Mobile USA’s employees. The talks of cuts are just that; talks. The company’s also “considering a number of options” like private equity so nothing’s quite set in stone yet, although Marshall points out that because of how the company is structured — it’s a joint venture with Sprint — it won’t be a cake walk.

[UPDATE 5:45 PM EST]

Just got this in an e-mail from Virgin Mobile’s VP of Corporate Communications.

“Recent information that has appeared about potential layoffs connected to outsourcing at Virgin Mobile USA contains a number of inaccuracies.

Headquartered in Warren, New Jersey, Virgin Mobile USA has approximately 450 employees.  Speculation that ’300 layoffs’ might take place is incorrect.

Focused on continuing to expand, Virgin Mobile is always exploring ways in which we can be more productive and effective.  We are reviewing our growth strategy for the next several years, and are therefore looking at a number of options with regard to our technology operations and partnerships including the possibility of reshaping or outsourcing  the IT division,   The mobile  industry changes rapidly and anything that serves to enhance technological capabilities is a positive step toward future growth. 

We have made no final determinations and therefore it’s premature to speculate as to any details or specifics.

Finally, with over five million customers and distribution in more than 140,000 retail outlets, comparisons to other MVNOs that served niche audiences is also inappropriate.”

My source for this article is VentureBeat’s Virgin Mobile may cut 300 jobs, as yet another MVNO reels, which makes references to the idea that Virgin Mobile “might” cut 300 jobs and compares it to other MVNO providers. I’ll be sure to reference any updates or changes to VentureBeat’s post within this one.

Biggs is working on a longer piece on what exactly these folks have to offer, but this happens to be one of the services. We’re not entirely sure how it works, but the short demo explains what’s possible. You’re basically selling minutes to people while you trigger the calls. Imagine being on a beach or in a developing country. To go to the “minutes broker” who charges you 50 whatevers for 5 minutes to the US. He triggers a call to your local phone and to the number in the US and both phones ring. It’s a great way to add long distance service to places where it is prohibitively expensive or inconvenient.

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Helio has once again dropped the price of their unlimited plan down to $99 from $145. You know the drill. Now drop on by your nearest store and take advantage while you can. The Ocean and Mysto are great choices in case you needed some advice on a handset.

Helio

Look what I found today. The first official pics of the Mysto from Helio. The CDMA version of the U600, of course. Ain’t she a beaut? No word on specs or release date, but it’ll run $150. Can’t wait for this slick slider to make its way into my hands. Wondering where I found this gem? I’ll never tell.

As if I need another reason to not leave the couch this winter other than it being cold. Helio has gone and added a TV Guide app and I feel myself getting squishier. A 30-day rental is $2.99 and you can even forward TV listings to a friend in case you think they’re interested in watching ___________ (Some dumb show only you like. Heh.). A few more screen shots after the jump. Thanks, Helio. Will you pay for my Weight Watchers in the Spring?

Image ganked from Heliocity because I’m too lazy to get screen caps from my Ocean.

As if the refreshed Oceans and $99 all-in-one plan weren’t enough, the MVNO of choice has slashed $50 off all handsets for new members. That means a brand new Ocean is $199, the thinnest flip on the market, Fin, is $79 and the Heat is FREE. Need I say more?

Helio

I love my Ocean. Matt lives and dies by the Ocean. It’s a great phone and does everything one needs. Well, not everything. It doesn’t get Matt laid or anything, but I think you know where I’m going. Maybe you’re already with Helio and you want some friends to migrate over because you’re a greedy bastard and want the free months of service. I wouldn’t blame you. Their plans are cheap and Sprint has great coverage (from my experience) so what more could you ask for? The newly refreshed Ocean’s are a mere $99 and unlimited minutes and data is currently $99. That’s cheap. Way cheap and you know it. It makes for a perfect gift for the holidays, parental units. Your kids will love you for it and they’ll certainly use it more than they will that ugly sweater you have hidden in the closet, which they’ve already found.

Helio Refreshed [via Heliocity]

What does this mean for the poor folks who bought the phones? Well, they’ll reimburse you and/or you’ll still be billed until December 31, 2007, at which time Peter Pan will come and snatch your phone — and innocence — away. You can also transfer your Disney number to another non-Disney phone and hopefully this whole branded MVNO idea has died it’s rightful death.

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