Well, someone finally had some financial prudence: Disney has shelved plans to launch an MVNO in the U.K., saying the market is in flux. It was supposed to launch there later this year, piggybacking on operator O2’s network. Disney spokesperson:  The decision had been made as a result of “the rapidly changing competitive environment…Retail distribution outlets in particular have consolidated in recent weeks, which has impacted our distribution opportunities,” she added.
The U.S. version launched a couple of months ago.
Dow Jones: the two companies (Disney and O2) will continue to sell exclusive content, such as ring tones and movie clips, to U.K. customers.
TeleGeography: Following the success of Virgin Mobile, the UK’s leading MVNO with more than four million users, numerous companies have publicly declared plans to roll out virtual services in the UK, with mixed success. Mobile software supplier ROK (ROKmobile), sports media group Extreme (ExtremMob) and food retailer ASDA all missed self-imposed 2005 launch deadlines.