zer01

Questions for Zer01

For the past few weeks we've received several e-mails inquiring about Zer01, a new company that it touting a VoIP cell phone service. From what we can tell, CNET readers are intrigued at the prospect, but they're also skeptical about what Zer01 is promising. Though CNET has written about the company only marginally, we've been more than skeptical too.

After debuting in April at the CTIA show, Zer01 quickly garnered analyst praise and several awards. But in the last two months, the company has been dogged by negative press questioning its business relationships and practices, the feasibility of its technology and the veracity of its claims. Citing "ethical questions" Laptop Magazine even rescinded its award from CTIA on August 4.

Indeed, valid questions about Zer01 have been raised. We won't repeat them all here--a simple News search will reveal many results--but we can offer a Q&A covering current developments. … Read more

Zer01 Mobile looks for distributors

Three months ago at CTIA in Las Vegas, I visited with Zer01 Mobile, a new VoIP carrier that's promising unlimited voice, messaging, and data for $70 per month. At the time, Zer01 promised a July 1 launch date, but the company didn't say as much in its announcement today.

First off, "launch" is too strong a word. Rather than going live today, the company instead said it was looking for distributors. You can't purchase service or phones on the Zer01 Web site. Instead, you'll have to wait for a distributor to deliver them to … Read more

Revisiting Zer01

Thursday I told you about the launch of Zer01, a new VoIP carrier. At the time, however, information was slim since the carrier's Web site was out of service, which isn't a great sign. But it's back up and running now, and I got a chance to meet with CEO Benjamin Piilani at CTIA.

First on my list was to ask how the carrier isn't a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), even though it depends on major wireless carriers to operate its services. As Piilani explained it, while MVNOs buy capacity from a carrier and resell … Read more

New VoIP carrier launches, gets awkward name

Though other carriers may be consolidating, a new wireless provider made its official debut at CTIA. Zer01 Mobile (yes, that actually is a zero in the name) promises a $69.95-per-month plan for unlimited voice and data service without a contract.

The service, which will launch July 1, will be entirely VoIP-based. Zer01 Mobile Virtual says it's not a Mobile Network Operator (MVNO), but it will be relying on other carriers to support the service. How that's not an MVNO, we're not quite sure.

Zer01 will only support Windows Mobile smartphones. Unfortunately, we're not certain which … Read more

New operator promises cheap wireless service

In these tough economic times, everyone is looking for a good deal.

And Sascha Segan at PC Magazine seems to have found a darn good bargain if you're looking for a cheap wireless plan that offers unlimited data and voice calling. The service, which costs only $70 a month with no monthly contract, is offered by a new mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, called Zer01 Mobile.

The company also offers unlimited international calling to 40 countries for an additional $10 a month.

Segan reports in his story posted on Thursday that the company is using a form of … Read more