November 16, 2005

Circle K Stores joined the prepaid wireless space with the launch of its Talk-and-Go Mobile service that offers no-contract, prepaid calling services using Cingular Wireless's GSM network.

Circle K said the service, which is powered by mobile virtual network enabler Zstar Inc., uses the $40 Nokia Corp. 1100 handset and will be offered in more than 2,100 locations across the country.

Airtime for the service is a flat-rate 20 cents per minute, with refill minutes available in $25, $50, $75 and $100 amounts that are good for 120 days. Customers can carry over their unused balances if their account is refilled within 120 days.

The service also includes nationwide long distance, voicemail, caller identification, call waiting, three-way calling, text and instant messaging.

In addition, the service includes bi-lingual, automated customer-care systems in Spanish and English and automatic account balance notification.

Circle K said it will continue to sell competing prepaid services from Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. and Cingular's GoPhone, as well as top-up prepaid cards for Boost Mobile L.L.C. and Alltel Corp.

7-Eleven Inc. launched its similar Speak Out prepaid service last year using Cingular's network and powered by Zstar. The 7-Eleven service is available in more than 5,300 locations across the country and charges a flat rate of 20 cents per minute for calls.

Source: RCR News