The Trump Organization has begun marketing a wireless plan and a gold mobile phone that it initially said was to be manufactured in the United States. The venture, announced this week by Donald Trump Jr., is the latest family business to raise questions about potential conflicts of interest for the president.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga says branded wireless services are an increasingly popular business for celebrities and brand-forward businesses.
Highlights from this segment:
– The Trump Mobile service is marketed at $47.25 per month, though the actual cost reaches $64, with added fees.
– The offering also includes an Android-based phone, priced at $499. When questioned about a claim that the phone would be manufactured in the U.S., Eric Trump admitted that the initial device would be manufactured by Chinese company, Wingtech.
– Trump Mobile is an example of an MVNO, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator – a company that resells access to wireless networks from carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. MVNOs are increasingly popular with celebrities and brands.
