Amp'd sez network goes dark at midnight, suggests Prexar
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Jul 31st 2007 at 1:39PM
The latest word from Amp'd -- also known as the Defunct MVNO That Wouldn't Die -- is that its network will finally be shut down (for real this time) tonight at midnight. Interestingly, the latest text message sent out to customers still using its phones suggests that they port to Prexar Mobile, a darkhorse that has just acquired "strategic wireless assets" from Amp'd, presumably in a bid to make the port process as seamless as possible. Customers will be able to continue to use their Amp'd phones (though without all the Amp'd content, we'd guess) and will have to sign up for a Prexar plan, at which point they'll be granted 100 free text messages. Whoopee.
Filed under: MVNOs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rpb161 @ Jul 31st 2007 2:16PM
think it will actually shut down this time?
Paul J. @ Jul 31st 2007 2:57PM
I'm surprised they're offering any kind of incentive for Amp'd customers to switch over. Wasn't it something like 70 percent of them that weren't paying their bills? Great customers to have :p
just.Rob @ Jul 31st 2007 3:34PM
Incentive:
Switch to this no name company that's buying our shit, and we'll give you a $4 value... FREE!!
Mike @ Jul 31st 2007 2:58PM
The funny thing is that Amp'd Mobile was hugely popular, but the people that I saw getting it were... less than reputable, financially-speaking. Perhaps that was what did them in?
Or maybe it was the hour-long hold times for their customer service number (I wish I was kidding).
Cactus @ Jul 31st 2007 4:05PM
Wow... it's like Amp'd was SunRocket Mobile. Replace "Teleblend" with Prexar...
Mike: That's what did them in. Something like 40%+ of their postpaid accounts were delinquent... turning Amp'd into a big deadbeat. And now Verizon Wireless is calling in the tab.
Cactus @ Aug 1st 2007 4:30PM
Wouldn't you know... turns out Prexar and Teleblend are _the same company_. Vultures...
angelita60632 @ Aug 1st 2007 2:54AM
I think this a load of crap... so what they expect us to switch 2a no name company also I went with amp'd because it was an alternate to nextel with that push to talk and this new company dosen't even offer it. amp'd mobile u suck at least there is no termination fee.
~~~angel
kim_dimsdale @ Aug 1st 2007 3:46PM
It's 08/01 and my phones still on!
Astrosapien @ Aug 1st 2007 10:46AM
wasnt the main appeal of Amp'd mobile to be able to watch TV shows and stuff, and now they wont be able to do that because nobody paid the bills....so now its "just a phone."
Mikey78 @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:22AM
It's 12:19 on 8/2 and my phone is still on!!! I also paid my bill every month on time, and went with sprint... Didn't even port my number because Amp'd wants you to pay your balance down to zero to be able to port it!! Good Luck getting that money Amp'd, I will pay you when i'm good and ready too!! What a joke they are...
cincyjason @ Jul 13th 2008 12:28AM
At least with Prexar I get a fresh start. Just had to pay the first month upfront. Their parent company USA Telephone looks well established so I'm giving them a shot. Just sux the service is about to be disconnected and not go back on until the porting is complete - they say it'll take about 4 days due to backlog - geez!
Mike @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:25PM
I was waiting for the porn on my Amp'd phone that everyone was speculating about; oh well, I'll have to go with http://www.tomshark.com I wonder if another company plans on buying the past due accounts; Convergys Corporation or some other collection receievables company will probably try to pickup on those accounts for pennies on the dollar.
Dan @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:25PM
I HAD AMPD AND SWITCHED TO VERIZON AND WAS ABLE TO PORT OVER MY NUMBER WITHOUT PAYIN MY BILL , I CALLED VERIZONS PORT DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOOK CARE OF IT ALL IN LIKE A DAY. I HAVE A MOTO Q FROM AMPD, ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY TO HOOK IT UP ON VERIZON ?? HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO SO FAR... ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT ... THANKS ALOT
tim @ Aug 13th 2007 4:03AM
Verizon has sent a notice to their retailers stating not to activate phones purchased from Amp'd. However some phones are able to be activated by a willing retailer using the hex number rather than the esn which will be rejected by Verizon's registration system. On the Verizon wireless frequently asked questions page it states that any cdma phone can be activated by Verizon which contradicts the notice sent to Verizon retailers. This can successfully be used as a bargaining issue to have your Amp'd phone activated.I Flashed my Q with verizon's software and it works great. If you live in the Massachusetts area I can give you the name of a person that will activate your Amp'd phone on Verizon.
scott @ Aug 20th 2007 2:18PM
tim, please send me the info, thanks. i have a hollywood from ampd that i would love to see back on again, but i do not have the access to watch my videos on my pc from the phone, if anyone has any info about the license and password please let me know as well, thanks.......