That’s because Zer01 have gone into even more of a stealth mode than they were in the run-up to their much-publicized launch date.  Ben Piilani, the company’s CEO, has ceased all communication with his counsel and refuses to further participate in the case; he now has 20 days to file an appeal against the $43m ruling.

According to Global Verge’s lawyers, they’re now looking at what possible intellectual property could be seized from Zer01 in recompense.  ”[Piilani] showed us the patent applications” Marquis & Aurbach lawyer Brian Hardy explained, ”but anyone can pull together that without filing it so we don’t know how much of that is legitimate.”  Meanwhile some of those who had signed up with Global Verge to hawk Zer01 service are accusing the firm of running an elaborate pyramid scheme.

Meanwhile the technical side of Zer01′s claims are also cast into doubt.  The company says that it has arrangements with “multiple GSM operators” (though refuses to name them) together with access to a nationwide fiber network owned by UTG.  However, T-Mobile and AT&T have both said that they do not have agreements with Zer01, and analysts have expressed doubt that carriers would accept an unlimited data-usage contract.

More recently, the Zer01 website and others have been amended to remove information connecting Unified Technologies Group (UTG), Zer01′s parent company, and Global Verge.  Previously Ben Piilani, CEO of UTG, had said that he and Petschel had only met in May 2009; however the sites suggested that they had worked before on a PC equipment project.  Zer01 announced earlier in July that they had officially launched; however users do not appear to be able to sign-up to the service.

[via Slashdot]

The system, as we’ve discussed before, relies on interconnect agreements with major carriers in North America and globally.  Tapping straight into the data networks, Zer01 use VoIP for voice-calls rather than more traditional methods; according to the company a users’ SIM can be upgraded to take advantage of their service in around five minutes.

Zer01 have also announced a partnership with NetMovies, who will offer video, audio, gaming and other downloads to devices.  They’re yet to announce pricing for this part of the service, however.  Zer01 plan to open up access to BlackBerry and Android devices next; they’ve previously indicated that they intend to do the same for Apple’s iPhone.

[via SlashPhone]

Zer01 is contract free, pre-paid, and thus sells unsubsidized devices. You’ll see a larger cost initially for the purchase of your phone (unless you bring your own) but you’re paying considerably less for the service overall. In addition, you can cancel when you want, so the company has to work much harder to retain your business. We’ve been seeing more and more pre-pay options in this economic climate, and the slow increase in diversity of carriers is a good thing to see.

Zer01 is using VoIP technology over existing cellular networks, and won LaptopMag’s Best of CTIA for their service, which is a pretty big deal. Not as big of a deal as SlashGear’s Best of CTIA, but I guess you have to start with something. Look for Zer01 to end beta in May, and service starting in June.

Zer01 Mobile

Zer01 Mobile is also contract-free, meaning no penalty clauses for giving up the service.  The $69.95 tariff gets you unlimited national voice calls and unlimited mobile data use, while a further $10 per month adds unlimited international calling to 40 destinations.

Setting up a phone for Zer01 service requires loading a special app that handles creating VPN connections with the company’s servers.  Presently it’s only available on Windows Mobile smartphones, but BlackBerry, Android and iPhone versions are promised “within months”. 

Press Release:

New “True” Unlimited Voice & Data National Mobile Service From Zer01 Mobile Premiers TODAY At CTIA Wireless 2009 Convention In Las Vegas On Pharos Smartphones

- With A Scheduled July 1, 2009 Commercial Launch, Zer01 Mobile’s New Service Utilizes Proprietary VoIP Technology & Priced At $69.95 Per Month Without Any Contracts -
For immediate release: April 1, 2009
For more information: Ron Dresner
860.523.7500 ron@dennispr.com

(Las Vegas, Nevada) – Zer01 Communications, a Las Vegas, NV based mobile communications company, announced TODAY the premier its new Zer01 Mobile true unlimited voice and data mobile service at the CTIA Wireless 2009 convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 1 – 3, 2009. Priced at $69.95 per month for true unlimited national voice and data mobile service without any contracts or commitments, Zer01 Mobile’s also announced the commercial launch of its new service starting on July 1, 2009.

“We are the first mobile service to offer consumers a true national unlimited voice, data and Internet plan without any contracts or commitments that is priced affordably at only $69.95 per month with taxes and fees included. We have licensed patent pending proprietary Veritable Mobile Convergence (VMC) Technology from the Unified Technologies Group that allows each smart phone user to make voice calls or transmit data efficiently by bypassing carrier circuit-switched channels by sending voice communications through a VoIP system and onto a virtual private network that accesses the Internet,” explained Ben Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile. “Zer01 Mobile is not a new mobile virtual network operator (MNVO). We are a new communications carrier.”

The new mobile national carrier has created its own interconnect agreements throughout North America and the globe. Zer01 Mobile customers will be able to use their own smartphones or buy a new phone from the online store. “We are saving consumers hours of time and hundreds of dollars. Since we are setup as a pre-paid service, no longer will consumers spend hours and hours reviewing contracts and being subject to high-pressure sales tactics. A consumer will only need to wait an estimated five minutes to allow us to update their phone’s SIM card to connect to our network,” said Piilani.

“As an information technology leader, I have pioneered advanced systems and innovative software solutions for over 30 years. I have a hard time containing my excitement for this unique service where the GSM cell networks and Internet seamlessly converge into a single communications device.” said Mark Richard, CIO, Pervasip Corporation, White Plains, NY.

Zer01 Communications is premiering its new nationwide, no contract, unlimited voice and data mobile communications service on Pharos smartphones starting TODAY at the CTIA Wireless 2009 Convention, Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #6363, from April 1-3, 2009. Visit www.ctia.org for details about this leading industry event. Zer01 Mobile will initially be available on Windows Mobile smartphones, however support for other devices such as Blackberry, Android and iPhone will be available within months.

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Zer01 Communications is owned and operated by the Unified Technologies Group, Inc., a global technology services and consulting company that is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. For more information about Zer01 Communications, visit www.Zer01mobile.com.

Zer01 uses a self-developed VoIP system to carry voice calls across the data network.  While the nature of cellphone coverage means some connections may only be GPRS or EDGE, rather than 3G, Zer01 claim their VoIP technology can scale to offer decent calls despite the poor bandwidth.

Similarly straightforward should be the setup.  While Zer01 will sell subscribers a new phone, the expectation is that most will come with their own Windows Mobile device; setup takes around five minutes to download the special VoIP application – which starts and ends automatically, to save battery life – and update the user’s SIM.  Support for other devices such as Blackberry, Android and iPhone will be available “within months”.

Press Release:

New True Unlimited Voice & Data National Mobile Service From Zer01 Mobile To Premier At Upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 Convention In Las Vegas on April 1st

- Nominated For Four CTIA Wireless Technology Awards, Zer01 Mobile’s New Service Utilizes Proprietary VoIP Technology & Priced At $69.95 Per Month Without Any Contracts -

(Las Vegas, Nevada) – Zer01 Communications, a Las Vegas, NV based mobile communications company, announced today that it will premier its new Zer01 Mobile true unlimited voice and data mobile service at the upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 1 – 3, 2009. Priced at $69.95 per month for true unlimited national voice and data mobile service without any contracts or commitments, Zer01 Mobile has already been nominated in four categories for CTIA Wireless 2009 technology awards.

“We are the first mobile service to offer consumers a true national unlimited voice, data and Internet plan without any contracts or commitments that is priced affordably at only $69.95 per month with taxes and fees included. We have licensed patent pending proprietary Veritable Mobile Convergence (VMC) Technology from the Unified Technologies Group that allows each smart phone user to make voice calls or transmit data efficiently by bypassing carrier circuit-switched channels by sending voice communications through a VoIP system and onto a virtual private network that accesses the Internet,” explained Ben Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile. “Zer01 Mobile is not a new mobile virtual network operator (MNVO). We are a new communications carrier. For many years now, we’ve been developing our VMC Technology and I’m looking forward to premiering our new Zer01 Mobile service at the upcoming CTIA Wireless event.”

The new mobile national carrier has created its own interconnect agreements throughout North America and the globe, and will also be announcing an international unlimited voice and data service without any commitments or contracts. Zer01 Mobile customers will be able to use their own smartphones or buy a new phone from the online store. “We are saving consumers hours of time and hundreds of dollars. Since we are setup as a pre-paid service, no longer will consumers spend hours and hours reviewing contracts and being subject to high-pressure sales tactics. A consumer will only need to wait an estimated five minutes to allow us to update their phone’s SIM card to connect to our network,” said Piilani.

“People will soon realize the technical advantages and cost savings of an unlimited calling plan, no contract, no roaming charges and no additional taxes and fees. Literally millions of people will become aware of this product very quickly. Truly innovative products tend to go viral very quickly on the Internet today and we believe that the buzz that will surround the Zer01 service will be incredible,” said Mark Richard, chief information officer, Pervasip Corporation, a leading provider of wholesale Voice over Internet Protocol broadband telephone services, White Plains, NY. “As an information technology leader, I have pioneered advanced systems and innovative software solutions for over 30 years. I have a hard time containing my excitement for this unique service where the GSM cell networks and Internet seamlessly converge into a single communications device.”

Zer01 Communications will be premiering its new nationwide, no contract, unlimited voice and data mobile communications service at the upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 Convention, Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #6363, from April 1-3, 2009. Visit www.ctia.org for details about this leading industry event. Zer01 Mobile will initially be available on Windows Mobile smartphones, however support for other devices such as Blackberry, Android and iPhone will be available within months.

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Zer01 Communications is owned and operated by the Unified Technologies Group, Inc., a global technology services and consulting company that is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. For more information about Zer01 Communications, visit www.Zer01mobile.com.

Unlike other MVNOs who buy chunks of network capacity from one of the established carriers, ZER01 have bought their own IP backbone and have negotiated roaming agreements with AT&T; that’s how, according to CEO Ben Piilani, they can get around the typical 5GB/month data caps mainstream carriers like AT&T impose.  The ZER01 software – which only currently works on select Windows Mobile devices – opens a VPN tunnel to the MVNO’s servers, with each handset having its own IP address.

ZER01 will sell three HTC phones – the TyTnII (aka the AT&T Tilt), the Touch Diamond and the Touch 3G – but expects most users to bring their own smartphones.  The list of currently supported handsets is here, and according to Piilani they’ll be announcing software for other platforms immediately after the launch.  A closed beta of ZER01 Mobile begins in April, with the commercial launch date expected to be announced on April 1st at CTIA.

[via PC Mag]