Prepaid Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) PTel has closed its doors.
According to a message on its website, PTel discontinued its services and those of its charitable wireless brand GIV Mobile at the end of January.
Former PTel and GIV customers have until the end of this week to port their numbers to a new service, the announcement said. To help with the transition, PTel and GIV have partnered with a number of other providers including Sprint MVNO Ting and Ultra Mobile to offer their former customers discounts on their new service. T-Mobile is also offering PTel and GIV customers a free SIM Starter Kit and first month of service if they switch to the Un-Carrier.
Part of 15-year-old PlatinumTel Communications, LLC, the PTel Mobile brand was first introduced in 2012 and initially functioned as an MVNO on Sprint’s network before switching to that of T-Mobile in 2013.
Faced with increasing competitive pressures, PTel first sought to lower its prices with the introduction of a new plan structure in August 2014 before again dropping prices and adding more data to plans in June 2015.
PTel first introduced its GIV Mobile brand on the T-Mobile network in the summer of 2013. Unlike other wireless options, GIV offered customers the option to donate eight percent of their monthly Unlimited Everything plans to a non-profit charity of their choice.
As recently as December, GIV Mobile was introducing new plan features, including a device financing option.
Filed Under: Carriers
