NEWS Virgin Mobile is branching out in the mobile world - from virtual network operator to virtual handset business.
The Branson venture, which resells airtime on T-Mobile's network, is to launch its own range of Virgin Mobile branded mobile phones, which it will sell alongside the usual offerings from Nokia, Siemens and the like.
The Virgin phones will be launched this summer, the company said, but gave no details of which hardware manufacturers will be chosen as partners, although it did reveal the likely candidates will be Far Eastern makers from China, Taiwan or South Korea.
Virgin Mobile recently notched up its five millionth connection and is currently the UK's fifth largest operator.
