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Wirefly Launches Unlocked Cell Phone Category to Consumer Praise and Industry Appeal

Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:35am EDT
RESTON, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Wirefly, the online leader in one-stop comparison shopping for
cell phones and wireless phone plans, today announced the launch of
its much-anticipated unlocked phone category.

   Wirefly's new unlocked cell phone category includes some of the
most desirable phone models worldwide. By adding this option, Wirefly
is offering a new degree of freedom to its wireless customers. With an
unlocked phone, cell phone users do not need to sign up for a
long-term contract with one carrier, and may replace their phone
whenever they choose. Wirefly's selection of unlocked phones also
expands its catalog, and introduces an array of new and innovative
models to American consumers.

   "The growing popularity and market acceptance of unlocked phones
has brought forth many different and exciting phone models. In
addition, the Supreme Court's recent decision on unlocked phones
further paves the way for a much larger and expanding market here in
the United States," said Brian Westrick, Wirefly's President. "Our
customers have been clamoring for an unlocked phone category for a
long time, and it appears that our new 'unlocked' category is already
performing well from our initial consumer tests and sales. We see
unlocked phones as a significant market opportunity in the years
ahead."

   All unlocked cell phones are models originally designed to operate
on a GSM network. GSM phones use a removable SIM card to store
subscriber information and to communicate with the cellular network.
If a phone is 'locked' to a specific carrier, its on-board software
will only recognize SIM cards from that carrier. Once unlocked, these
GSM phones will accept any SIM card.

   As the cell phone market continues to mature, increasingly savvy
customers are moving away from the standard carrier contract service
model, and have begun exploring the choices that come with an unlocked
phone. Unlocked phone owners are free to purchase a new phone at any
time, without being expected to extend a carrier contract. In
addition, an unlocked phone is ideal for international travelers;
while abroad, it is easy to purchase a local SIM card and avoid high
roaming charges with a U.S. provider.

   To view Wirefly's new suite of unlocked phones at discounted
online prices, please visit www.wirefly.com.

   About Wirefly.com

   Launched in 2003, Wirefly.com is the online leader in one-stop
comparison shopping for cell phones, wireless service plans and
wireless accessories. Owned and operated by Simplexity, Wirefly.com is
an authorized dealer for every major cellular carrier in the U.S.
Wirefly.com also offers discounts and services not available in retail
wireless stores, including real-time online order status and tracking,
and the guaranteed lowest price - online or anywhere else -- on cell
phone devices from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry and many
other cell phone handset manufacturers. Wirefly.com has been named
Best of the Web by Forbes magazine as the "best all-around number
portability portal" and "Best in Overall Customer Experience" by
Keynote Performance Systems. For more information, its products and
services, visit www.wirefly.com.

Simplexity
Megan Murray, 703-657-4102
media@simplexity.com
or
Erinmoor Group
Tiffany Carter, 202-558-9920
tcarter@erinmoorgroup.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008



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