US-based MVNO FreedomPop has announced a joint venture with media giant MVS Communicaciones and investment firm Variv to launch what it claims will be Mexico’s first 100 percent free mobile service. As in the US, UK and Spain, FreedomPop will offer unlimited use of WhatsApp to all users, even those on the basic free plan. Users will be able to purchase additional services such as data rollover, a second international number from any country, online security, micro-financing and international calling for a nominal fee. They will also get unlimited free calling to other FreedomPop users in all the countries where the operator's service is available.
In a statement, the company said the joint venture between FreedomPop and MVS is the first of its kind, where its innovative “freemium” model will be able to use the massive local distribution, expertise, relationships and market reach of MVS, which owns a majority stake in DTH operator Dish Mexico as well as the E-Go wireless broadband service. The company is already accepting beta sign-ups, with services expected to go live in three to four months.
FreedomPop claims to have so far attracted around 1 million subscribers in the US, UK and Spain, with just over half on a basic free plan. The MVNO recently received a USD 50 million cash injection from LetterOne (L1), the international business of Russian investor Mikhail Fridman.
