Open Mobile

Open Mobile was a mobile network operator focused primarily on Puerto Rico. It began operations in 2007 as the relaunch of NewComm Wireless Services, a business that had previously operated under the Movistar name. The relaunch followed the acquisition of Movistar's Puerto Rican assets by investment firms M/C Partners and Columbia Capital for $160 million after the former operator sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2006. The brand was built around a prepaid-oriented model. Customers paid in advance, and the company emphasized unlimited local calling as a central part of its service proposition. This approach was suited to the Puerto Rican market, where price-sensitive consumers and prepaid usage were important segments of the wireless sector. According to the available reference material, Open Mobile reached positive EBITDA five months after its relaunch, indicating that the reorganized business achieved operating profitability relatively quickly. Open Mobile also participated in the federal Lifeline ecosystem. From 2015, it offered SafeLink mobile recertification procedures, allowing eligible customers to complete the required continuing-eligibility process for their subsidized mobile service. The company also became relevant to Verizon Wireless customers after Verizon entered into a 2G and 3G roaming agreement with Open Mobile in 2014. The arrangement allowed Verizon subscribers to use Open Mobile's network in Puerto Rico without an additional roaming charge. It followed Claro's shutdown of the former Verizon CDMA network in Puerto Rico as Claro migrated toward GSM, UMTS, and LTE technologies. A major strategic change came in February 2017, when Sprint and Open Mobile announced an agreement to combine their Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands businesses in a new joint venture. The companies continued operating independently while the transaction awaited review by the Federal Communications Commission and other regulators. The transaction was approved in September 2017, with Sprint becoming the majority shareholder. This placed Open Mobile's operations within Sprint's broader wireless strategy in the Caribbean. The consumer-facing brand was subsequently phased out. During the summer of 2018, Open Mobile stores were converted to Boost Mobile stores. In connection with T-Mobile's merger with Sprint, Open Mobile customers were to be transferred to Boost Mobile, later associated with Liberty in the Puerto Rican market. Open Mobile therefore represents a former regional wireless brand rather than an active standalone operator. Its history illustrates the consolidation of Puerto Rico's mobile market, the transition from legacy CDMA infrastructure, and the migration of prepaid customers into larger national or regional brand platforms.

Open Mobile emerged from the restructuring of NewComm Wireless Services, a Puerto Rican wireless business that had formerly operated under the Movistar name. Movistar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2006. M/C Partners and Columbia Capital subsequently acquired the former Movistar assets for $160 million and relaunched the operation as Open Mobile on June 12, 2007. The new company concentrated on mobile service in Puerto Rico and used a prepaid operating model. Customers paid before receiving service, while unlimited local calling was a central feature of the offer. The model gave Open Mobile a clear focus on local, price-conscious wireless users rather than positioning it as a broad multinational carrier. The available historical account states that Open Mobile achieved positive EBITDA five months after its relaunch. The operator later expanded its role in subsidized wireless administration. Beginning in 2015, it provided SafeLink mobile recertification procedures. These procedures supported the continuing eligibility process associated with SafeLink service, adding an administrative and program-participation function to Open Mobile's consumer wireless business. In 2014, Verizon Wireless entered into a 2G and 3G roaming agreement with Open Mobile. Under the arrangement, Verizon customers could use Open Mobile's Puerto Rican network without charge. The agreement became significant after Claro discontinued the former Verizon CDMA network in Puerto Rico while moving toward GSM, UMTS, and LTE technologies. Open Mobile consequently served not only its own prepaid subscribers but also as a roaming network for customers of another major carrier. On February 23, 2017, Sprint and Open Mobile announced an agreement to combine their businesses in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into a new joint venture. The companies continued to operate separately while the deal was reviewed. Completion depended on approval from the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory authorities. Approval was obtained in September 2017, and Sprint became the majority shareholder. The Open Mobile retail identity was subsequently replaced. In the summer of 2018, all Open Mobile stores were changed to Boost Mobile stores. Later, as part of the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile, Open Mobile customers were to be migrated to Boost Mobile, later associated with Liberty. These changes ended Open Mobile's role as a distinct consumer-facing wireless brand and left it as a former regional operator whose assets, customers, and retail presence were incorporated into successor wireless businesses.

1. 2018Retail stores rebranded as Boost Mobile

   Open Mobile's stores were converted to Boost Mobile locations during the summer, accelerating the brand's disappearance from the market.

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2. 2017Sprint and Open Mobile announce a combination

   The companies announced plans to combine their Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands businesses in a joint venture, subject to regulatory review.

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3. 2017Transaction approved

   Regulatory approval was obtained in September, with Sprint becoming the majority shareholder.

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4. 2015SafeLink recertification service begins

   Open Mobile began offering SafeLink mobile recertification procedures.

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5. 2014Verizon roaming agreement

   Verizon Wireless signed a 2G and 3G roaming agreement that allowed Verizon customers to use Open Mobile's Puerto Rican network without charge.

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6. 2007Open Mobile is launched

   Open Mobile was established on June 12 as the successor brand to NewComm Wireless Services and the former Movistar operation in Puerto Rico.

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7. 2007The relaunched business reaches positive EBITDA

   The company reportedly achieved positive EBITDA five months after its relaunch.

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8. 2006Movistar files for Chapter 11 protection

   The predecessor business, formerly operating as Movistar, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December, preceding the sale and relaunch of its assets.

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A Puerto Rico-focused prepaid wireless operator emphasizing advance payment, unlimited local calling, and accessible mobile service.

• Prepaid mobile serviceMobile telecommunications2007

  Open Mobile's core business was prepaid wireless service in Puerto Rico. Customers paid in advance rather than relying on a conventional postpaid contract. The model was designed for local users and emphasized straightforward access to voice and mobile connectivity.

• Unlimited local callingPrepaid voice plan2007

  Unlimited local calling was a defining feature of Open Mobile's service proposition. It supported the brand's focus on local Puerto Rican communications and helped distinguish its prepaid offer in a price-sensitive market.

• SafeLink mobile recertificationWireless program service2015

  Beginning in 2015, Open Mobile offered SafeLink mobile recertification procedures. The service supported the periodic eligibility confirmation required for participating customers.

• 2G and 3G roaming network accessNetwork wholesale and roaming2014

  Through its 2014 agreement with Verizon Wireless, Open Mobile provided 2G and 3G network roaming in Puerto Rico for Verizon customers. The arrangement became important after the former Verizon CDMA network was shut down by Claro.

• 2018Convert Open Mobile retail stores to Boost MobileStrategy

  Following the Sprint combination, the business moved toward the Boost Mobile retail identity.

  What changed. All Open Mobile stores were changed to Boost Mobile stores during the summer.

  Aftermath. The Open Mobile brand ceased to operate as the visible retail identity.

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• 2017Combine the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands businesses with SprintM&A

  Sprint and Open Mobile sought to consolidate their regional wireless operations through a new joint venture.

  What changed. The parties announced the combination in February, continued separate operations during review, and completed the transaction after regulatory approval in September.

  Aftermath. Sprint became the majority shareholder of the combined business.

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• 2014Enter a roaming agreement with Verizon WirelessStrategy

  Claro shut down the former Verizon CDMA network in Puerto Rico while transitioning to GSM, UMTS, and LTE technologies.

  What changed. Open Mobile and Verizon Wireless agreed to 2G and 3G roaming that allowed Verizon customers to use Open Mobile's network without charge.

  Aftermath. Open Mobile became a roaming network option for Verizon subscribers in Puerto Rico.

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• 2007Relaunch as a prepaid-focused operatorStrategy

  The former Movistar and NewComm Wireless Services assets were acquired after the predecessor entered bankruptcy protection.

  What changed. M/C Partners and Columbia Capital relaunched the business under the Open Mobile name with advance-payment service and unlimited local calling.

  Aftermath. The reorganized operator reportedly reached positive EBITDA five months after relaunch.

  Acquisition price for former Movistar assets. 160 million USD (2007 acquisition following the predecessor's December 2006 Chapter 11 filing)

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• 2018Open Mobile stores converted to Boost Mobile locations

  During the summer of 2018, the company's retail stores were changed to Boost Mobile stores, marking the visible withdrawal of the Open Mobile brand from the retail market.

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• 2017Sprint and Open Mobile announce a Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands business combination

  Sprint and Open Mobile announced plans to combine their businesses in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through a new joint venture. The transaction required review by the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory authorities.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2017Regulators approve the Sprint and Open Mobile transaction

  The proposed combination was approved in September 2017, with Sprint becoming the majority shareholder of the resulting business.

  M&ARegulation
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1. Open Mobile