Last summer we skeptically directed your attention to a carrier by the name of Zero1, which was promising users unlimited voice and data on smart phones for $69.95/month, without a contract. The service claimed to use a VoIP application to route all calls. According to the founders, the service tunneled over GSM networks, though Zero1 claimed to have their own IP network -- and claimed to be using interconnect (roaming) agreements to make calls. In short, Zer01 was supposed to be a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE).

The problem? People started to dig into the operator and notice that it had the light fishy smell of an MLM or pyramid scheme. The company's apparently "floating" headquarters, the lack of product beyond a shiny GUI, and the shady business practices of a few executive partners left most in the telecom press with a bad taste in their mouth. The more people dug into the specifics behind the company, the more people began to notice they quite often made no technical sense.

It was entertaining to see some in the press develop their critical thinking skills and skepticism in hindsight. Laptop Magazine, which was originally so smitten with the unlaunched vaporware they gave them a CTIA award, was ultimately forced to acknowledge the problems and took the award back. According to the magazine, the award was pulled "because of serious ethical questions that have arisen about the company." The award remained prominently featured on Zer01's website.

That was, until last week. Glenn Fleishman directs our attention to the fact that Zer01's website has gone mysteriously offline, and now just redirects to Google.com. The company, which was quick to blame business partners for its problems and threatened to sue news outlets that spoke poorly of them -- aren't responding to requests for comment. Perhaps the company's seemingly-endless throngs of MLM spammers (who flooded every news story Internet wide defending the company) would like to comment?

Update: One user directs our attention to the fact that Buzzkirk Mobile and other partners may have decided to rebrand Zer01 in order to escape some of the recent criticism. We're starting to see some familiar MLM spammers pop up in our forums trying to generate interest in a new carrier by the name of Global Mobile 1 by Buzzkirk Mobile.