Numerous sources are reporting that the long-struggling Amp'd Mobile is now in the final stages of shutting down. Although Amp'd has only said so far that services "may be disconnected," all signs seem to indicate that service will indeed be terminated on Tuesday, July 24, at 12:01 a.m. Which time zone that's referring to is unclear. Assume Eastern.

Amp'd customers were alerted to the shutdown via text message (oh, the humanity!) over the weekend. Anyone still using the Amp'd network that wishes to port their number to a non-bankrupt cellular carrier is urged strongly to do so today. (Though numbers should theoretically still be portable after the shutdown, it will likely be easier to do so now.)

If you're unfamiliar with the company, Amp'd is what's known as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or MVNO, a term which means it doesn't have its own infrastructure but rather leases network space from other carriers (in this case, Verizon). Other (relatively) popular MVNOs include Virgin Mobile, Helio, and Boost Mobile. To date, no MVNO has made much of a dent in the U.S. cellular market, though many continue to try.

There's not much more to add to this discussion, alas. It's just another case of a promising business going south, as the communications industry undergoes continued turmoil. (VOIP provider SunRocket abruptly went out of business last week, too.)

Any Amp'd customers reading this? I'd love to get first-hand confirmation come 12:01 tonight whether the service does indeed go dark. Thanks. 

UPDATE: You got one more week... 

LINK: Amp'd Mobile will shut down Tuesday, July 24th, 2007