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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Yes, more and more celebrities are entering the phone business. Here's why
More and more celebrities are looking to attach their names to your phone. Or rather, wireless services that could power it. From cosmetics to snacks and signature spirits, brands launched or co-owned by high-profile figures are just about everywhere you look today. But several big names are also venturing into the market for mobile virtual network operators - or MVNOs, an industry term for businesses that provide cell coverage by leasing infrastructure from bigger, more established carriers. U.S. President Donald Trump's family was the most recent to join the list with the launch of Trump Mobile this week. Here's what to know. Which big names have entered the phone business? On Monday, The Trump Organization (currently run by the president's sons Eric and Donald Jr.) unveiled Trump Mobile. The company says this new business will offer cell service, through an apparent licensing deal with "all three major cellular carriers" in the U.S., and sell gold phones by August. Trump Mobile marks the latest in a string of new Trump-branded offerings - which already span from golden sneakers to "God Bless the USA" bibles - despite mounting ethical concerns that the president is profiting off his position and could distort public policy for personal gain. "This raises a real question about a conflict of interest," said Ben Bentzin, an associate professor of instruction at The University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. As the sitting president, Trump appoints leadership for the Federal Communications Commission - and the family's new phone venture exists under this regulatory authority. All of this sets Trump Mobile apart from other big names that have recently ventured into the wireless business. Still, its launch arrives as a growing number of celebrities tap into this space. Just last week, actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett launched SmartLess Mobile, a name that mirrors the trio's "SmartLess" podcast. Now live across the contiguous U.S. and Puerto Rico, SmartLess Mobile runs on T-Mobile 's 5G Network. Another wireless provider with ties to fame is Mint Mobile . While not launched by celebrities, Ryan Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in Mint in 2019. Mint's parent, the Ka'ena Corporation, was later acquired by T-Mobile in a deal worth up to $1.35 billion. Beyond names of famous people, well-known brands that weren't traditionally in the phone business have also got in on the action over the years - particuarly outside of the U.S., Forrester Research senior analyst Octavio Garcia Granados notes. He points to Walmart's "Bait" mobile plan in Mexico, for example, as well as Italian soccer club AC Milan launching its own mobile SIM cards for fans. "The MVNO market is not new," said Granados. "What's new is the development on how it's consumed and the (ease) for brands to launch such plans." MVNOs have also emerged outside of high-profile brands or launch teams. Bentzin points to Straight Talk and Cricket - which are now owned by Verizon and AT&T , respectively. Still, traditional celebrity endorsements are common across the board. And in recent years, "influencer marketing" has been "the fastest growing area of advertising and promotion," he notes. What are these cell services offering? Why were they launched? For Trump Mobile, the pitch seems to be all about having an "all-American service" while also tapping into the fan base of the president. The company noted Monday that it chose to unveil Trump Mobile on the 10th anniversary of Trump launching "his historic presidential campaign." The name given to its flagship offer, The 47 Plan, and the $47.45 monthly fee make reference to the president's two terms. And a mock-up of the planned gold phone on the company's website shows Trump's "Make America Great" slogan on the front screen. According to the company, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan will include unlimited calls, texts and data through partner carriers, as well as free roadside assistance and telehealth services. It also says the new phone, called the "T1 Phone," will be available for $499 in August - but notes that this device won't be designed or made by Trump Mobile. Still, the company emphasized that these phones will be built in the U.S. Experts have since shared skepticism about that being possible in two months. And beyond the future T1 Phone, others stress that a monthly cell service fee of just under $50 is pricey compared to other MVNO options today. "It's not actual lower pricing. It's really trading on the fan base, if you will, of Trump," said Bentzin. SmartLess Mobile and Mint Mobile, of course, don't carry these same political ties. And the wireless plans offered by both boast less expensive offerings. T-Mobile-owned Mint advertises "flexible, buy-in-bulk" plans that range from $15 to $30 a month. Each option includes unlimited talk and text nationwide, but vary depending on plan length and data amount. Mint, founded in 2016, says it started "because we'd had enough of the wireless industry's games" - and promises to help consumers avoid hidden fees. SmartLess Mobile's plans also start at $15 a month. Depending on the data amount purchased, that base fee can rise to $30 - but all of its plans similarly offer unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's network. When launching last week, SmartLess underlined that its goal is to help people stop paying for the data they don't use, noting that the majority of data used by consumers today happens over Wi-Fi. "Seriously, if your phone bill knew how often you're on Wi-Fi, it would be embarrassed," Hayes said in a statement for SmartLess Mobile's June 10 launch. What's the demand? MVNOs have proven to be attractive acquisitions to big wireless carriers over the years. But whether or not the star factor promises significant demand has yet to be seen for the market's most recent entrants. For the more established Mint Mobile, Reynolds' investment is a success story. The 25% stake that the actor reportedly owned in 2023, when the company announced that it would be acquired by T-Mobile, was estimated to give him a personal windfall of over $300 million in cash and stock. And since that deal closed, Reynolds has remained in his creative role for Mint and as the face of many campaigns - helping the brand continue to attract new customers. It's no surprise that the potential of such business returns might attract other celebrities to make similar investments, Bentzin notes. Still, newer ventures are untested. And "as the market becomes more crowded, it could be harder and harder to pick off individual consumers," he added. Beyond a high-profile name, quality of service and what consumers can afford is also critical. "The competition battleground here is brand and price," Bentzin said. Still, if the marketing is right and product meets consumer needs, experts like Garcia Granados note that MVNOs can be a profitable business, for both the brands that start them and the telecommunications giants - like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T - offering this "wholesale" access to their infrastructure. As a result, he said, such high-profile ventures become "a catalyst for others to follow." (AP Business Writer Bernard Condon contributed to this report from New York.)
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
Photos show Trump's been an iPhone guy for a while now
Donald Trump has long been an iPhone fan. Security experts have fretted about the president's decision to keep using his personal device. Photos show the evolution of his cellphone, from a flip phone to an Android phone and, finally, an iPhone. President Donald Trump is just a phone call away. The device he uses to pick up, though, has changed over the years. Today, many of the CEOs, celebrities, lawmakers, and journalists trying to reach him don't need the White House switchboard. They simply call his iPhone. Unlike any of his modern predecessors, Trump has maintained an unheard-of level of accessibility by maintaining his personal device. (According to The Atlantic, past advisors have tried to warn Trump that his habit leaves him vulnerable to hacking.) It's unclear what modifications have been made to Trump's phone to address these worries. What is apparent is that Trump is rarely found without his device, though perhaps he'll switch it out for a Trump-branded smartphone when it launches. Trump demonstrated this himself during a May event in the Oval Office. As he was signing executive orders, Trump's iPhone blared the "Reflection" ringtone. He looked down. "It's only a congressman," Trump said. Scroll on for a look at the evolution of Trump's cellphone over the years. Trump once had a flip-phone era. Like most of us, Trump once had to live in the pre-smartphone era. The limitations of technology didn't change his outlook. In his 2004 book, "Trump: Think Like a Billionaire," the future president said he liked phone calls because it was easier to get rid of people. Trump's phone is often in the picture even when it's not in use. Trump wasn't an immediate Apple convert. While seeking the presidency ahead of the 2016 election, he often used both Android and Apple devices. In 2015, The New York Times photographed Trump using a Samsung phone while showing off his Twitter feed. His phone was never far from him on the campaign trail. During the 2016 GOP primaries, Trump had to take down a number of more experienced challengers. Here he is seen speaking during a lunch ahead of the 2016 South Carolina Republican primary, a contest he would win. After winning the election, Trump didn't part with his smartphone. President Obama stood out from other recent presidents in insisting on keeping his cellphone — a BlackBerry — after taking office. But, unlike Trump, Obama could not receive incoming calls. Trump was no immediate Apple convert, but at some point, he began to make the switch. Dan Scavino, a former caddy who has become one of Trump's most-trusted aides, wrote in 2017 that Trump was beginning to use an iPhone. . @POTUS @realDonaldTrump has been using his new iPhone📱for the past couple of weeks here on Twitter. Yes, it is #POTUS45 reading & tweeting! — Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) March 29, 2017 More than two years later, in October 2019, Trump made his feelings about Apple's decision to ditch the physical home button known, in a tweet addressed to CEO Tim Cook. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2019 Trump occasionally takes out his phone during meetings. Trump is seen here looking down at his phone during a June 2020 roundtable discussion with Governors and small business owners focused on reopening businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Away from work, Trump remains reachable. Out of the White House, Trump hung on to his iPhone. Just had a terrific meeting with President Trump! — Stephen Miller (@StephenM) April 5, 2021 In this photo, then-former White House advisor Stephen Miller visited Trump at his office in Florida in 2021. On the right side of Trump, right next to a traditional landline, is the former president's smartphone. Occasionally, photographers snap a close-up, revealing he upgraded to a newer iPhone model. On January 20, 2025, Trump was preparing to be sworn in for his second term. On the way to the US Capitol, an Associated Press photographer caught the then-president-elect glancing at his iPhone. The photo shows that Trump is using a newer model, since Apple first introduced the "Dynamic Island" cutout at the top of the screen, instead of the "notch" on earlier models, with the iPhone 14 Pro. Trump's phone shows an Apple News notification discussing Inauguration Day, a congratulatory text from an unknown number, and a missed called from Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump advisor. Trump takes his iPhone everywhere. Trump is seen returning to Joint Base Andrews after returning from a speech at a US Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. In transit, Trump can often be seen on his phone According to The Atlantic, those wishing to talk to Trump often try to time their calls so as to reach the president when he is riding in the motorcade or leaving the Oval Office. Not everyone has great timing. Trump joked to reporters during a May executive order signing after his iPhone went off twice due to calls from two different congressmen. Trump has a customized lockscreen.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Yes, more and more celebrities are entering the phone business. Here's why
By Wyatte Grantham-Philips NEW YORK: More and more celebrities are looking to attach their names to your phone. Or rather, wireless services that could power it. From cosmetics to snacks and signature spirits, brands launched or co-owned by high-profile figures are just about everywhere you look today. But several big names are also venturing into the market for mobile virtual network operators - or MVNOs, an industry term for businesses that provide cell coverage by leasing infrastructure from bigger, more established carriers. U.S. President Donald Trump's family was the most recent to join the list with the launch of Trump Mobile this week. Here's what to know. Which big names have entered the phone business? On Monday, The Trump Organization (currently run by the president's sons Eric and Donald Jr.) unveiled Trump Mobile. The company says this new business will offer cell service, through an apparent licensing deal with "all three major cellular carriers" in the U.S., and sell gold phones by August. Trump Mobile marks the latest in a string of new Trump-branded offerings - which already span from golden sneakers to "God Bless the USA" bibles - despite mounting ethical concerns that the president is profiting off his position and could distort public policy for personal gain. "This raises a real question about a conflict of interest," said Ben Bentzin, an associate professor of instruction at The University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. As the sitting president, Trump appoints leadership for the Federal Communications Commission - and the family's new phone venture exists under this regulatory authority. All of this sets Trump Mobile apart from other big names that have recently ventured into the wireless business. Still, its launch arrives as a growing number of celebrities tap into this space. Just last week, actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett launched SmartLess Mobile, a name that mirrors the trio's "SmartLess" podcast. Now live across the contiguous U.S. and Puerto Rico, SmartLess Mobile runs on T-Mobile 's 5G Network. Another wireless provider with ties to fame is Mint Mobile . While not launched by celebrities, Ryan Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in Mint in 2019. Mint's parent, the Ka'ena Corporation, was later acquired by T-Mobile in a deal worth up to $1.35 billion. Beyond names of famous people, well-known brands that weren't traditionally in the phone business have also got in on the action over the years - particuarly outside of the U.S., Forrester Research senior analyst Octavio Garcia Granados notes. He points to Walmart's "Bait" mobile plan in Mexico, for example, as well as Italian soccer club AC Milan launching its own mobile SIM cards for fans. "The MVNO market is not new," said Granados. "What's new is the development on how it's consumed and the (ease) for brands to launch such plans." MVNOs have also emerged outside of high-profile brands or launch teams. Bentzin points to Straight Talk and Cricket - which are now owned by Verizon and AT&T , respectively. Still, traditional celebrity endorsements are common across the board. And in recent years, "influencer marketing" has been "the fastest growing area of advertising and promotion," he notes. What are these cell services offering? Why were they launched? For Trump Mobile, the pitch seems to be all about having an "all-American service" while also tapping into the fan base of the president. The company noted Monday that it chose to unveil Trump Mobile on the 10th anniversary of Trump launching "his historic presidential campaign." The name given to its flagship offer, The 47 Plan, and the $47.45 monthly fee make reference to the president's two terms. And a mock-up of the planned gold phone on the company's website shows Trump's "Make America Great" slogan on the front screen. According to the company, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan will include unlimited calls, texts and data through partner carriers, as well as free roadside assistance and telehealth services. It also says the new phone, called the "T1 Phone," will be available for $499 in August - but notes that this device won't be designed or made by Trump Mobile. Still, the company emphasized that these phones will be built in the U.S. Experts have since shared skepticism about that being possible in two months. And beyond the future T1 Phone, others stress that a monthly cell service fee of just under $50 is pricey compared to other MVNO options today. "It's not actual lower pricing. It's really trading on the fan base, if you will, of Trump," said Bentzin. SmartLess Mobile and Mint Mobile, of course, don't carry these same political ties. And the wireless plans offered by both boast less expensive offerings. T-Mobile-owned Mint advertises "flexible, buy-in-bulk" plans that range from $15 to $30 a month. Each option includes unlimited talk and text nationwide, but vary depending on plan length and data amount. Mint, founded in 2016, says it started "because we'd had enough of the wireless industry's games" - and promises to help consumers avoid hidden fees. SmartLess Mobile's plans also start at $15 a month. Depending on the data amount purchased, that base fee can rise to $30 - but all of its plans similarly offer unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's network. When launching last week, SmartLess underlined that its goal is to help people stop paying for the data they don't use, noting that the majority of data used by consumers today happens over Wi-Fi. "Seriously, if your phone bill knew how often you're on Wi-Fi, it would be embarrassed," Hayes said in a statement for SmartLess Mobile's June 10 launch. What's the demand? MVNOs have proven to be attractive acquisitions to big wireless carriers over the years. But whether or not the star factor promises significant demand has yet to be seen for the market's most recent entrants. For the more established Mint Mobile, Reynolds' investment is a success story. The 25% stake that the actor reportedly owned in 2023, when the company announced that it would be acquired by T-Mobile, was estimated to give him a personal windfall of over $300 million in cash and stock. And since that deal closed, Reynolds has remained in his creative role for Mint and as the face of many campaigns - helping the brand continue to attract new customers. It's no surprise that the potential of such business returns might attract other celebrities to make similar investments, Bentzin notes. Still, newer ventures are untested. And "as the market becomes more crowded, it could be harder and harder to pick off individual consumers," he added. Beyond a high-profile name, quality of service and what consumers can afford is also critical. "The competition battleground here is brand and price," Bentzin said. Still, if the marketing is right and product meets consumer needs, experts like Garcia Granados note that MVNOs can be a profitable business, for both the brands that start them and the telecommunications giants - like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T - offering this "wholesale" access to their infrastructure. As a result, he said, such high-profile ventures become "a catalyst for others to follow." (AP Business Writer Bernard Condon contributed to this report from New York.)
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Big move by Mukesh Ambani, signs mega deal with US President Donald Trump, pays Rs 860000000 for…, Reliance now plans to…
Mukesh Ambani has emerged as one of the global real estate developers backing former President Donald Trump's real estate projects. According to Trump's annual financial disclosure, the Trump Organization received $44.6 million in foreign licensing and development fees in 2024 from Trump-branded commercial or residential developments in Vietnam, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and more, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. It is a significant increase compared to $8.2 million in 2023 and $9.4 million in 2022. According to the disclosure report, it included a $10 million dollar 'development fee' from Reliance 4IR Realty Development, a subsidiary of a company owned by Mukesh Ambani, that payment was for the licensing of the Trump name for the project in Mumbai. The Wall Street Journal has reported that it is unclear what Mumbai project the $10 million development fee from Reliance is associated with. Earlier this year in January, Mukesh Ambani attended President Trump's inauguration in the United States. Last month, he attended a state dinner in Doha hosted by the Emir of Qatar for the U.S. President. Unlike previous administrations that have sought to avoid potential conflicts of interest, the Trump Organization has become increasingly involved in foreign business transactions. This shows the Trump family's continued interest in expanding their business, even though Donald Trump is the U.S. President.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Yes, more and more celebrities are entering the phone business. Here's why
NEW YORK (AP) — More and more celebrities are looking to attach their names to your phone. Or rather, wireless services that could power it. From cosmetics to snacks and signature spirits, brands launched or co-owned by high-profile figures are just about everywhere you look today. But several big names are also venturing into the market for mobile virtual network operators — or MVNOs, an industry term for businesses that provide cell coverage by leasing infrastructure from bigger, more established carriers. U.S. President Donald Trump's family was the most recent to join the list with the launch of Trump Mobile this week. Here's what to know. On Monday, The Trump Organization (currently run by the president's sons Eric and Donald Jr.) unveiled Trump Mobile. The company says this new business will offer cell service, through an apparent licensing deal with 'all three major cellular carriers' in the U.S., and sell gold phones by August. Trump Mobile marks the latest in a string of new Trump-branded offerings — which already span from golden sneakers to 'God Bless the USA' bibles — despite mounting ethical concerns that the president is profiting off his position and could distort public policy for personal gain. 'This raises a real question about a conflict of interest,' said Ben Bentzin, an associate professor of instruction at The University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. As the sitting president, Trump appoints leadership for the Federal Communications Commission — and the family's new phone venture exists under this regulatory authority. All of this sets Trump Mobile apart from other big names that have recently ventured into the wireless business. Still, its launch arrives as a growing number of celebrities tap into this space. Just last week, actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett launched SmartLess Mobile, a name that mirrors the trio's 'SmartLess' podcast. Now live across the contiguous U.S. and Puerto Rico, SmartLess Mobile runs on T-Mobile's 5G Network. Another wireless provider with ties to fame is Mint Mobile. While not launched by celebrities, Ryan Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in Mint in 2019. Mint's parent, the Ka'ena Corporation, was later acquired by T-Mobile in a deal worth up to $1.35 billion. Beyond names of famous people, well-known brands that weren't traditionally in the phone business have also got in on the action over the years — particuarly outside of the U.S., Forrester Research senior analyst Octavio Garcia Granados notes. He points to Walmart's 'Bait' mobile plan in Mexico, for example, as well as Italian soccer club AC Milan launching its own mobile SIM cards for fans. 'The MVNO market is not new,' said Garcia Granados. 'What's new is the development on how it's consumed and the (ease) for brands to launch such plans.' MVNOs have also emerged outside of high-profile brands or launch teams. Bentzin points to Straight Talk and Cricket — which are now owned by Verizon and AT&T, respectively. Still, traditional celebrity endorsements are common across the board. And in recent years, 'influencer marketing' has been 'the fastest growing area of advertising and promotion,' he notes. For Trump Mobile, the pitch seems to be all about having an 'all-American service' while also tapping into the fan base of the president. The company noted Monday that it chose to unveil Trump Mobile on the 10th anniversary of Trump launching 'his historic presidential campaign.' The name given to its flagship offer, The 47 Plan, and the $47.45 monthly fee make reference to the president's two terms. And a mock-up of the planned gold phone on the company's website shows Trump's 'Make America Great' slogan on the front screen. According to the company, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan will include unlimited calls, texts and data through partner carriers, as well as free roadside assistance and telehealth services. It also says the new phone, called the 'T1 Phone,' will be available for $499 in August — but notes that this device won't be designed or made by Trump Mobile. Still, the company emphasized that these phones will be built in the U.S. Experts have since shared skepticism about that being possible in two months. And beyond the future T1 Phone, others stress that a monthly cell service fee of just under $50 is pricey compared to other MVNO options today. 'It's not actual lower pricing. It's really trading on the fan base, if you will, of Trump,' said Bentzin. SmartLess Mobile and Mint Mobile, of course, don't carry these same political ties. And the wireless plans offered by both boast less expensive offerings. T-Mobile-owned Mint advertises 'flexible, buy-in-bulk' plans that range from $15 to $30 a month. Each option includes unlimited talk and text nationwide, but vary depending on plan length and data amount. Mint, founded in 2016, says it started 'because we'd had enough of the wireless industry's games' — and promises to help consumers avoid hidden fees. SmartLess Mobile's plans also start at $15 a month. Depending on the data amount purchased, that base fee can rise to $30 — but all of its plans similarly offer unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's network. When launching last week, SmartLess underlined that its goal is to help people stop paying for the data they don't use, noting that the majority of data used by consumers today happens over Wi-Fi. 'Seriously, if your phone bill knew how often you're on Wi-Fi, it would be embarrassed,' Hayes said in a statement for SmartLess Mobile's June 10 launch. MVNOs have proven to be attractive acquisitions to big wireless carriers over the years. But whether or not the star factor promises significant demand has yet to be seen for the market's most recent entrants. For the more established Mint Mobile, Reynolds' investment is a success story. The 25% stake that the actor reportedly owned in 2023, when the company announced that it would be acquired by T-Mobile, was estimated to give him a personal windfall of over $300 million in cash and stock. And since that deal closed, Reynolds has remained in his creative role for Mint and as the face of many campaigns — helping the brand continue to attract new customers. It's no surprise that the potential of such business returns might attract other celebrities to make similar investments, Bentzin notes. Still, newer ventures are untested. And 'as the market becomes more crowded, it could be harder and harder to pick off individual consumers,' he added. Beyond a high-profile name, quality of service and what consumers can afford is also critical. 'The competition battleground here is brand and price,' Bentzin said. Still, if the marketing is right and product meets consumer needs, experts like Garcia Granados note that MVNOs can be a profitable business, for both the brands that start them and the telecommunications giants — like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T — offering this 'wholesale' access to their infrastructure. As a result, he said, such high-profile ventures become 'a catalyst for others to follow.' ______ AP Business Writer Bernard Condon contributed to this report from New York.
