WorldCell
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Predecessor | International Mobile Communications, Inc. (IMC Inc) |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Blake Swensrud |
| Headquarters | Rockville, Maryland , United States |
Area served | Global |
| Products | International mobile communication services, mobile phone rentals, satellite phones, wireless connectivity, secure data solutions |
| Website | worldcell |
WorldCell is a United States-based corporation specializing in international mobile communication services tailored for federal entities, global enterprises, and individual travelers.
History
Established in 1996 by Blake Swensrud under the name International Mobile Communications, Inc., the company initially concentrated on providing mobile phone rentals to travelers, corporate clients, and humanitarian organizations.
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and ensuing military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, WorldCell redirected its focus toward delivering wireless management solutions for corporate clients, federal agencies, and the U.S. armed forces. Concurrently, it rebranded its rental services as the TravelComm division. Subsequently, the firm broadened its portfolio to incorporate satellite phones and communication services designed for remote locations.
By 2002, IMC Inc introduced the Viking Wireless GSM network through its subsidiary IMC Ísland ehf, marking a strategic shift from a reseller to a network carrier. The corporation adopted the WorldCell brand in 2005 and secured a five-year procurement agreement with the U.S. Army’s ITEC4-West program. In 2007, WorldCell forged alliances with international mobile technology companies including Aicent, Inc and Accuris Networks to improve data roaming functionalities.
Currently, WorldCell administers wireless connectivity and secure data solutions for federal government clients—including military branches—and commercial customers via partnerships with major global carriers such as Vodafone, O2, KPN, and Docomo.
The company’s headquarters are located in Rockville, Maryland, close to Washington, D.C., with additional offices established in Reykjavík, Iceland, and Tokyo, Japan.
Subsidiaries
WorldCell operates three main subsidiaries: TravelComm, IMC Ísland, and Alterna.
TravelComm specializes in renting mobile phones to American travelers abroad, catering to business professionals, tourists, and students overseas. Its services have since expanded to cover domestic U.S. mobile service.
IMC Ísland, a licensed mobile network operator based in Iceland, runs the Viking Wireless GSM system alongside various international GSM networks. This infrastructure enables WorldCell to provide global wireless services through IMC’s network and roaming partnerships.
In 2009, IMC Ísland introduced Alterna Telecom, which offers mobile services within Iceland. Alterna collaborated with Síminn, the country’s leading 3G network operator. After initial beta testing during 2009, Alterna commenced commercial subscription offerings in 2010.