La Times: The story of successful VM and dying Ampd Mobile

I found that on LA times . I thought i was interesting.

Los Angeles Times
Another one bites the dust: Amp'd, the mobile virtual network operator aimed at teens and 20somethings, is expected to shut down its wireless phone service in the U.S. at the end of the month, despite receiving a one-week reprieve by creditor Verizon Wireless to sell off its remaining assets in Japan and Canada. The Walt Disney Company's MVNO, ESPN Mobile, met a similar fate last year.

But not all MVNOs are suffering: Virgin Mobile USA, which benefits from the backing of Richard Branson's Virgin empire, is thriving, announcing it would seek a $506 million IPO. Virgin was able to borrow from the European idea of prepaid calling cards, which ensure that users receive a certain number of minutes rather than paying a monthly fee.