As if the U.S. doesn't have enough MVNOs these days, CDMA pioneer Qualcomm plans on launching one with a healthcare focus. The new company, LifeComm, has been designed to have broad customer appeal -- not just for medical professionals -- and was created by Qualcomm and some unnamed partners. It's reportedly set for launch sometime in late 2008, featuring in-phone services that give advice and information on fitness, weight management or reduction, diabetes management and heart health. Past the phone, the MVNO will also offer services for wellness, fitness and even health maintenance. With ESPN Mobile folding not long ago, will such a narrow focus be enough for LifeComm?

[Via mocoNews]

It turns out our fears that MVNOs would fall out like flies before finding their footing might be overblown -- for some of 'em, anyway. Want proof? Amp'd Mobile states that it is nearing the 200,000-customer mark after having a pretty strong first quarter to kick off 2007. Just three months ago at the top of the year, Amp'd said that that it had ended 2006 with more than 100,000 customers. One quarter later, the MVNO has apparently almost doubled that number -- impressive indeed. Some highlights: Amp'd gained 87,000 new activations in the first quarter of 2007, with 84% of that being of the postpaid kind. The average revenue per user (ARPU) hovered in the area of $100 per month as well, which is twice the industry average.

Since Sprint Nextel is one of the few national wireless carriers here in the U.S. without prepaid calling plans, it seemed to us that 2007 might have become the year that the CDMA carrier wised up and offered wireless service to those with suboptimal credit -- or those who are not liking long-term contracts. Well, Sprint has dropped a bomb of sorts and has announced a few plans applicable to the San Francisco area only (for now) which include unlimited voice calling, messaging and mobile web access -- all for $120 per month. Add unlimited PC access through a Sprint handset or modem and you arrive at a $150 per month price -- just $30 more. Sprint's calling this the "grenade" plan, and we can see why. Throwing down unlimited wireless voice, texting and handset web access for such a cheap price may blow up some of the competition's plans -- perhaps even outside the wireless arena. In a high-tech area like the Bay Area, this is indeed going to be a hot potato. Will MVNOs like Helio and Amp'd Mobile pick up the challenge? Yes -- this is a trial only, and in one market at this time. Here's hoping the Sprint folks find it in their hearts to roll this out nationwide. We just hope the network quality does not go down with the price.

[Via Phone Scoop]