Mobile ESPN Set to Launch in February

ESPN has renamed its MVNO service from ESPN Mobile to Mobile ESPN. The company made the announcement today at CTIA Wireless in San Francisco.

The service is set to launch on Feb. 5, 2006, but will have limited online availability for the holidays.

“Mobile ESPN has defined a new wireless category, and with that, we are positioning the service and our marketing around the idea that life will never get in the way of sports again," says Manish Jha, senior vice president and general manager of ESPN Mobile. "We've all had that Saturday afternoon commitment that kept us from the big game. This is more than a phone – it is like putting ESPN in your pocket."

Mobile ESPN will use Sprint Corp.’s network.

Meanwhile, ESPN today unveiled the first wireless handset in the Mobile ESPN portfolio. Made by SANYO and called the SANYO MVP, the headset features an industrial design, with a black housing and accents in ESPN's signature red. The device will give users one-touch, real-time access to personalized sports content, including the ESPN BottomLine scores and headlines service; Gamecast, a live, graphical representation of games; player and team statistics; ESPN video clips and game highlights; ESPN commentary and analysis; and sports alerts and fantasy updates.

Finally, Mobile ESPN has teamed with West Corp., a customer service provider, to offer customer care to Mobile ESPN users. West representatives will help Mobile ESPN fans with issues ranging from purchasing and activating phones, to answering and resolving service or billing questions.

West's Mobile ESPN representatives will work in a replicated ESPN office environment, must be sports fans, and will undergo product and brand training.

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