Virgin Mobile USA Says 'Aloha' With Debut of First LG Wireless Handset

Aggressive Integrated Retail Marketing & Merchandising Programs in Place
Partnership to Include LG Mobile Phones Involvement with the RE*Generation, Virgin Mobile USA's Pro-Social Movement to End Youth Homelessness

WARREN, N.J., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Mobile USA, a top provider of no-annual-contract wireless phone services targeted at the youth market, today bids a warm welcome to the first LG Electronics handset to join its line-up, as the new Aloha cell phone makes its way to Virgin Mobile retailers across the U.S. this month. With a sleek clamshell design and metallic finish, the Aloha comes equipped with all the essentials, from real-music ringtones to multi-messaging capabilities -- at an attractive price point for all Virgin Mobile customers.

Virgin Mobile will also be working with its major retail partners across the country on extensive point-of-sale promotion and merchandising campaigns for the Aloha.

Working Together To Make A Difference
The debut of Aloha and this new relationship with LG Mobile Phones also heralds the start of a larger partnership between the two companies, rooted in Virgin Mobile USA's pro-social initiative to raise awareness of the plight of at-risk and homeless youth called The RE*Generation (http://www.virginmobileusa.com/regeneration).

Virgin Mobile has invited a group of emerging and established visual artists to design signature versions of LG's Aloha handset. These limited- edition phones will be auctioned off as part of The RE*Generation Gala and Art Auction this November, recently designated by Congress as "National Homeless Youth Awareness Month." Proceeds from this and other activities will benefit Virgin Mobile's charitable partners, including StandUp For Kids, Children's Health Fund and YouthNoise.

Great Looks, Great Features and a Great Price
With its polished, modern look and array of features, the Aloha wraps a great deal into a sleek and affordable package. It sports a metallic front and a durable, matte back finish, with an internal 65K-color display. The phone has capabilities to play real music and animated ringtones, and comes equipped with key basics such as a speakerphone and voice-activated dialing. Customers will love Aloha's preloaded games, which include ZooZoo Club and Battle Reversi, and can choose from a wide array of other games, ringtones, screensavers and more. The Aloha will also feature Virgin Mobile's new dynamic and intuitive graphic user interface.

Virgin Mobile's Aloha by LG is 3.5-inches long by 1.9-inches wide, with a thickness of 0.9-inches, and weighs in at 2.7-ounces. It can hold up to 199 personal contacts, with five numbers, three email addresses and one URL slot available for each. It also features up to 180 minutes of talk time and 150 hours of standby time. The Aloha will be appearing on shelves and on the Web in September at a retail price point of $34.99.

"Adding LG Mobile Phones to our handset line-up is a win for consumers, given the company's track record of developing affordable phones with great performance, striking looks and features our customers love," said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. "The Aloha has all of that. And we are impressed and gratified with LG's dedication in joining our efforts to raise awareness about the national crisis surrounding youth homelessness."

"Virgin Mobile USA is an innovative wireless provider that really understands its market," said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president, Product Strategy and Marketing for LG Electronics MobileComm, USA, Inc. "It's ideal to kick off our relationship with a handset that has the features and style Virgin Mobile customers demand at a price point that's accessible to everyone. We're equally excited to use the launch of Aloha as a way to further the good work Virgin Mobile and its charitable partners are doing through The RE*Generation to help young people at-risk and alone on the
streets."