Mexican telecommunications conglomerate America Movil has announced that it plans to purchase US-based wireless access reseller Start Wireless Group. parent company and owner of the Page Plus Cellular brand currently in use for the resale of Verizon Wireless network access to customers.
While the terms of the deal were undisclosed, the purchase did reveal that the Page Plus brand currently serves 1.4 million customers. With the purchase of the parent company, America Movil has continued its long-running US expansion following the acquisition of Simple Mobile last year around this time from T-Mobile USA.
No immediate changes are expected as a result of the purchase, however current customers have expressed concern over the future of the current US-based customer service infrastructure following the news of the purchase, as America Movil heavily favors outsourced customer service typically based in The Philippines and some additional customer service infrastructure in Central America outside of partial US-based customer service infrastructure near its Miami headquarters.
Page Plus Cellular is best known for being a virtual operator that allows customers to use previously activated CDMA devices, mainly from Verizon Wireless and many dealers have also created their own cottage industries flashing devices originally sold by other CDMA carriers for use on Page Plus as well as flashing select Verizon LTE devices for use on the service.
The brand was also once known for having some of the best Pay-As You-Go rates for voice and messaging in the industry which endeared many to the service in the past, especially those in need of an emergency backup device, but in recent months the operator has been moving away from that sales and service model to the more conventional and quickly growing flat-rate monthly prepaid model which is heavily favored by America Movil’s family of prepaid service brands in the US.
I personally hope that they do not purchase pageplus. i am a dealer for them, and im very proud because of the level of support for there dealers. after seeing w hat has happended to simple mobile after the purchase, i fear the changes that would take place if pageplus was purchased by them. i have already been considering removing simple mobile and all tracfone brands from our store due to customer complaints. pageplus is our best selling service. simple mobile use to be a good seller, now no one wants it.
I am surprised verizon would allow this. I thought verizon would buy Pageplus up & have two prepaid services. This purchase is pending regulatory approval. What government agency gives them the ok or not ok. Is this getting close to a monopoly?
Both the FCC and FTC have to agree on this merger.
sign this petition to stop the merger!!!
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/stop-america-movil-monopolizing-prepaid-wireless-industry-stop-purchase-start-wireless-group-inc/cjQGHVyl
I will go to a different company if they bought out track fhone sucks as well the other 2 you be talking to india for costmerservice that’s why I at pageplus now costumer service
I as well think monopoly.
You can call me for more information about the merger 866-641-6601 ext 123
If they move their customer service to India it will finally give me a reason to switch to Republic wireless. I have been meaning to try their $19 unlimited calling, data, and text plans. The catch with Republic is you have to purchase the one phone they offer, and when you are home it connects through wi-fi to make and recieve calls/data. Out in the real world it uses sprint and verizon cell towers when wi-fi is not available. All that for $19…unlimited. Really tempting, but I currently own my cell phone outright and have the $29 PP plan that seem to fit my needs at the moment. If Tracphone ruins this service….out out and I’m going to Republic Wireless.