Helio makes a comeback with new prepaid plan options

Do you remember Helio Virtual mobile network, which used to offer data centric plan for tech savvy people and young gun is back with new backer and plan.

In mid-2008, Helio was purchased by MVNO Virgin Mobile for $39 million.

Helio is now backed by a company called UBI, and thanks to that backing the wireless MVNO is able to launch prepaid plans that are available via both Sprint’s and Verizon’s networks. Known for selling telecom service to Korean Americans, Ubi is now offering the MVNO with a low priced $29 a month plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data.

Helio today announced its return as an MVNO that operates on Sprint’s network, just like before, but now it’s got a roaming agreement with Verizon Wireless. Helio is offering one month free service for new users, but with some new virtual networks, it will be hard for Helio to review and sustain.

Helio also supports a BYOD program, allowing customers to use its prepaid plan on their own handsets, as long as the devices are compatible with Sprint’s network. But wait, it looks like Ubi still thinks that customers are still fond of the outdated dial-up Internet, as Helio will bring in a data speeds at snail-paced 128kbps, which is not fast enough for streaming music or watching online video, sorry to disappoint. You’re probably wondering how Helio can offer unlimited data at that price. As far as devices go, Helio has the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy S4 listed on its site, for $249 and $299 respectively.