Virgin Mobile USA, the leading wireless youth network with more than 4.6 million customers, today announced it is extending its mobile search functionality by integrating a WAP-based local search application from JumpTap, Inc., a pioneer in the development of innovative, carrier-centric mobile search technology.

Launching this week, the new local search application enables Virgin Mobile USA customers to type in specific search terms, along with a zip code or city and state, to find anything local - from pizza shops to the closest CD store. The new capabilities also allow customers to search for local maps and directions to and from destinations, from their mobile phones.  Now, Virgin Mobile offers on-and off-portal search in one easy, WAP-based application.

Since February, JumpTap's white label mobile search engine has been "behind the scenes," helping Virgin Mobile USA's customers quickly discover the broadest amount of content, such as ringtones, wallpapers, graphics and games - both from within Virgin Mobile's own suite of content (on-portal), as well as out on the mobile Web (off-portal). Virgin Mobile USA also uses JumpTap's mobile services to organize and deliver relevant results to customers' mobile phones through both sponsored and organic links, providing relevant information that is easy to read and navigate.   

"Local search provides our customers with quick and easy access to information right from their cell phones," said Dominick Tolli, vice president, Mobile Data Services for Virgin Mobile USA. "By simply typing in a zip code, they can find restaurants, stores, maps and directions while they're out and about. Our customers no longer need to scramble to get to their computers for this type of local search information. JumpTap has proven to be one of the market's leading providers of mobile search services and we are pleased to be extending our partnership with them to further enhance our services."

"JumpTap is committed to providing wireless carriers with the best possible applications to help their customers find the right on-and off-portal content in an appropriate format," said Dan Olschwang, JumpTap's president and chief executive officer. "Likewise, by enhancing its mobile search services with our local search application, Virgin Mobile USA is demonstrating its own commitment to provide its customers with a mobile experience that makes searching on one's mobile phone fun, fast and easy. We are pleased that Virgin Mobile USA has chosen to extend its partnership with us for local search, and we look forward to a long-standing relationship into the future."

 The local search application is available on all Virgin Mobile 3G-enabled phones including the MarbL, Slice and Switch_Back. Access to the VirginXL suite of mobile content applications costs 10 cents a day, but there is no additional cost for search.