Convenience Store Industry
7-Eleven® Makes Virgin Mobile USA Airtime Convenient
By Press
7-Eleven, Inc.
Jun 20, 2002, 10:53am

New York and Warren, N.J., June 20, 2002 - 7-Eleven, Inc. and Virgin Mobile USA, LLC today announced that beginning in July Virgin Mobile’s Top-Up cards (for cellular airtime replenishment) will be available at up to 5,000 or more participating U.S. 7-Eleven stores. Once customers purchase a $20, $30 or $50 Top-Up card from their local participating 7-Eleven store, they simply enter the PIN code (located on the back of their card) to directly Top-Up on their Virgin Mobile cell phone. Customers also have the option of using the PIN code to Top-UP through the Web at www.virginmobileusa.com or with Virgin Mobile’s Central Intelligence, (reached at 1-888-322-1122 or by dialing *VM (*86) on their Virgin Mobile phone).

“Virgin Mobile is tailoring its innovative cell phone service around the needs of the youth market,” said Tim McCallum, product director for Services at 7-Eleven, Inc.. “With the addition of Virgin Mobile Top-Up cards, 7-Eleven extends its selection of prepaid solutions with cellular service time that is easy-to-buy and easy-to-use.”

“Our partnership with 7-Eleven is about convenience. Young Americans already stop by their local 7-Eleven to grab a Slurpee® drink or a snack, now they’ll also be able to Top-Up their Virgin Mobile account,” said Daniel H. Schulman, chief executive officer of Virgin Mobile USA. “7-Eleven is a leading Pay-As-You-Go retailer that already serves our target market and we’re thrilled that our Top-Up cards will be available in the places where so many young Americans shop.”

Virgin Mobile is solely committed to designing cellular products and services around the needs of young Americans. Focusing on fun and entertainment-oriented applications, Virgin Mobile’s customized features like VirginXtras and text messaging keep customers entertained when the same old conversations won't do it anymore. By creating one price plan with no contracts to sign and no fine print, Virgin Mobile offers a world without hidden charges. The pricing is simple – just 25 cents per minute for the first ten minutes of each day, and then 10 cents for every minute thereafter. Using as much or as little airtime as they want, customers can simply Top-Up their Virgin Mobile account as needed. With great rates, fast setup and easy payment options, Virgin Mobile customers talk more and pay less.

About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
Virgin Mobile USA, LLC is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, and Sprint, which operates the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide wireless network. Established in October 2001, Virgin Mobile is the first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the United States and is the first U.S. company to create a step-down price plan with no contracts to sign and no fine print. Under the arrangement with Sprint, Virgin Mobile will utilize Sprint's wireless network to deliver service to its customers, while retaining all responsibility for customer service and subscriber maintenance.

Virgin Mobile's service includes long distance, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, text messaging and directory assistance. All customers will also receive VirginXtras - a host of music, entertainment, group messaging and just plain fun features that add flair to the cellular experience. Virgin Mobile Top-Up cards will be available in up to 5,000 U.S. 7-Eleven retail outlets. For those customers who are perpetually plugged-in, Virgin Mobile’s cellular products and services are available 24/7 through the Web at www.virginmobileusa.com and Virgin Mobile’s Central Intelligence number at 1-888-322-1122.

About 7-Eleven
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry and is observing its 75th anniversary in 2002. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates or franchises approximately 5,800 7-Eleven® stores in the United States and Canada and licenses approximately 17,000 7-Eleven stores in 17 other countries and territories throughout the world. During 2001, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $31 billion. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.




Dana Manley
Marketing Communications Manager
7-Eleven, Inc.
(214) 828-7345
dmanle01@7-11.com

Kristi Gates
PR Manager
Virgin Mobile USA
(908) 607-4029
kgates@virginmobileusa.com

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