Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) resell the minutes of wireless and long-distance carriers, by branding and repackaging cell phone service for niche markets. DBS Communications has quickly grown to become a $100MM company with their EZlinkMobile and EZlink2Go brands. Their pre-paid phones are resold through retail stores and targeted towards niche customers who want a phone without long-term contracts. They recently spun out their Versent Mobile division to provide private-label similar phone services for other companies.
DBS was founded by Larry Roches and Daniel McFarland in 1998. Larry is responsible for the business strategy while Dan handles the technical side of things. Prior to DBS, Larry was CEO of EdGate.com, a director at WhittmanHart, and CEO of Quantra Corporation. He also was a key executive at System Software Associates (SSA) and helped take the company public. Dan was previously a VP at Cingular Wireless, CFO at Los Angeles Cellular Telephone, and his wireless experience stretches back to American Cellular Communications Corp in 1987. Chris handles market development for Versent and comes from tours at Parlano, Apropos Technology, Quintus Corporation, Mustang.com, Rockwell and Ameritech.
Dimensions: TBD people x 8 years x $NDA
Funding: Edgewater Funds, Sierra Ventures
Customers: Retailers in low-income neighborhoods and ultimately the consumers who shop there
Location: Chicago [Schaumburg] + www.dbsnow.com + www.versentmobile.com
