Overview
Yahoo Mobile was an all-digital wireless carrier in the United States, owned and operated wholly by Verizon Media. It offered unlimited text, talk, data, and hotspot on Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks.
 | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wireless telecommunications |
| Founded | March 11, 2020 |
| Defunct | August 31, 2021 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Successor | Visible Service LLC |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | (2020) |
Area served | United States |
| Products | |
| Services | Mobile communications |
| Parent | Verizon Media |
| Website | yahoomobile.com (archived on March 2, 2021) |
Yahoo Mobile (stylized as yahoo!mobile) was an all-digital wireless carrier in the United States, owned and operated wholly by Verizon Media.[1][2][3] It offered unlimited text, talk, data, and hotspot on Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks.[4]
Yahoo Mobile competed primarily against T-Mobile's Metro by T-Mobile and AT&T's Cricket Wireless as prepaid wireless service provider brands. It was founded in March 2020[5] and shut down in August 2021.[6]
History
Yahoo Mobile was launched by Verizon Media on March 11, 2020 following a press announcement. At launch, the service was the same as Verizon's existing prepaid brand Visible, albeit with a higher price of $39.99 per month for unlimited calls, data and mobile hotspot usage. Yahoo Mobile was dissolved in August 2021 after Verizon sold Verizon Media to Apollo Global Management.[7][6]
Customer complaints
The company faced numerous complaints since its inception for lackluster or non-existent customer support, which was only available via chat through their Android or iOS app, and social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. The company had no phone number, and thus no customer support via telephone.[8][better source needed]
Network
Coverage
Yahoo Mobile provided wireless services in the contiguous United States and Hawaii via parent, Verizon's nationwide CDMA, EVDO, LTE, and 5G networks.[5]
Phone support
From launch, Yahoo Mobile supported unlocked iPhone and Android devices.
Services
Marketing
Yahoo Mobile's target audience was primarily young adults looking for a cheap and affordable phone service.[citation needed]
On October 29, 2020, Yahoo Mobile launched a carrier branded smartphone. The ZTE Blade A3Y[10] was a rebrand of the original ZTE Blade A3[11][12] by sister company Visible. It included pre-installed Yahoo branded apps such as Mail, News, Sports, Finance, Weather, and Mobile.[10] Customers could get the phone for free if they swapped in their existing phone.[10]
Retail presence
Yahoo Mobile products and services were sold via the yahoomobile.com web site.[citation needed]
References
- 1 2 "Yahoo and Verizon join forces to launch Yahoo Mobile". www.verizon.com. 2020-03-11. Archived from the original on 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ Kastrenakes, Jacob (2020-03-11). "Verizon launches Yahoo Mobile phone service". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ "Is this the best mobile plan for tenuous times like these?". Yahoo Life. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ Ha, Anthony (2020-03-11). "Yahoo Mobile is a $39.99 unlimited phone and data plan". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- 1 2 Valinsky, Jordan (2020-03-11). "Verizon launches Yahoo Mobile, a $40-per-month phone service". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- 1 2 Alleven, Monica (2021-06-18). "Yahoo Mobile prepares for shutdown". Fierce Network. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ "Yahoo Mobile". 2021-07-21. Archived from the original on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ "Yahoo! | Better Business Bureau® Profile". www.bbb.org. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ↑ "Visible Protect: Smartphone Insurance | Yahoo Mobile". 2020-03-11. Archived from the original on 2020-03-11. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- 1 2 3 "Yahoo introduces first-ever Yahoo smartphone". Verizon. 2020-10-29. Archived from the original on 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ "Visible | It's Phone Service. In An App". www.visible.com. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ "ZTE Blade A3 Prime Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-06-30.