Virgin Mobile brings the Legends to life!

    
       - Virgin Mobile Canada the first in North America to launch the
                        HTC Legend Android smartphone

            - Sir Richard Branson races legends Alex Tagliani and
             Vincent Lecavalier and challenges Canadians to join
                   the company that puts its Members first
    

MONTREAL, June 11 /CNW/ - Wanna try out a phone that's truly legendary? In a North American first, today Virgin Mobile added the new HTC Legend phone to its stellar line-up. Accelerating onto a speedy network that's sure to rev your engine, the HTC Legend is the first Virgin Mobile phone powered by the open-source Android platform.

In true Virgin style, Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson launched the HTC Legend phone with a "Legends Go-Kart Race", burning some rubber against racing legend Alex Tagliani and hockey legend Vincent Lecavalier. Following a photo finish, Virgin Mobile unveiled the HTC Legend phone. To celebrate the launch, HTC Corporation ("HTC") donated $50,000 to Virgin Unite's RE*Generation Movement - a movement that's racing to end youth homelessness in Canada - in the name of Alex Tagliani, winner of today's go-kart challenge.

"I'm thrilled to be here today not only to race against some of Canada's top legends, but also to unveil another Legend - the new Android smartphone from HTC," said Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group. "With our first Android powered phone, Virgin Mobile Canada is racing past the competition, offering Canadians even more reasons to move to the mobile company that they love with Canada's biggest super-speedy network(1)."

As the checkered flag was waved, Branson also issued a challenge to all Canadians to bring their HSPA phones over to Virgin Mobile. "I welcome any Canadian with the need for speed who's looking for more from their mobile company to come over to us and become a Virgin Mobile Member," Branson continued. "In fact, for the rest of June, Canadians who bring their HSPA 3G + phone over to our network can go to a Virgin Mobile store or The Source and they'll get their SIM card from us for free and we'll cover the activation charge!"

To find out if their phone is compatible to bring over to Virgin Mobile and take advantage of the offer, Canadians can check www.virginmobile.ca for more details.

"Earlier this year, we promised to deliver more phones, more benefits and more services to our Members," said Robert Blumenthal, President, Virgin Mobile Canada. "With everything from access to the hottest events to plans that fit your needs and now our first Android phone, we're keeping our promise. We're very excited to be the first in North America to offer the new HTC Legend and look forward to adding even more of the latest phones to our lineup throughout the year."

A North American First

The HTC Legend uses the Android 2.1 platform with the HTC Sense(TM) experience that intuitively organizes all of your communication by friends, family and colleagues, putting people rather than technology at the centre. It comes packed with a 5.0 megapixel camera with flash, an easy-to-use touchscreen and supports a wide range of widgets and apps so that you can customize your phone to fit your needs.

"Today, we're not only unveiling the latest HTC phone but we're also starting a new partnership adding Virgin Mobile as a carrier," said Francois Gravel, Managing Director for HTC in Canada. "The HTC Legend smartphone is perfect for Virgin Mobile's Members - letting them connect to their friends wherever they are and however they want. Plus, its sleek design, machined from a solid block of aluminum, is made for mobile users who see their phone as an accessory as much as a necessity."

While the HTC Legend phone made its pit stop in Montreal today, the new smartphone is now available across Canada for $79.99 with a three-year plan from Virgin Mobile retail locations, The Source, T-Booth, Wireless Wave and online at www.virginmobile.ca.

About Virgin Mobile Canada

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 15 million customers worldwide. As the No. 1 mobile youth network, Virgin Mobile Canada's mission is to be Canada's most loved mobile company with the hottest phones and plans on the hottest network. Its plans with "extra for no extra" make it easy for Members to find the perfect plan for them to connect to e-mail, social networks, texting and GPS navigation with the smartest phones and mobile Internet products. Virgin Mobile Members also get access to the hottest events, global roaming and the best customer service. J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study has awarded Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Prepaid Wireless Service, Five Years in a Row"(2) and it has ranked Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Postpaid Wireless Service"(3). 91% of customers would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.

Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations nationally including The Source, Virgin Mobile retail locations and additional retail partners. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/virginmobilecan and Twitter at twitter.com/virginmobilecan.

About HTC

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the centre of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

    
    --------------------------
    (1) With compatible HSPA/HSPA+ devices. Based on total square kms of
        national networks and of coverage of the shared HSPA/HSPA+ network
        available from Bell, vs. Rogers' HSPA/HSPA+ network. Excludes roaming
        partners' HSPA and GSM/Edge coverage in certain parts of Manitoba and
        Saskatchewan. HSPA/HSPA+ not available in all areas.
        www.virginmobile.ca/coverage.
    (2) J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer
        Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from
        consumers with prepaid wireless service, measuring 5 wireless service
        providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and
        perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009. www.jdpower.com
    (3) J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer
        Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from
        consumers with postpaid wireless service, measuring 9 wireless
        service providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences
        and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009.
        www.jdpower.com
    

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Sophie Merven, HKDP for Virgin Mobile, [email protected], 514 395-0375 ext. 239; Michael Abbass, Paradigm PR for HTC, [email protected], 416-203-2223 x224