Another MVNO bites the dust: XE Mobile, a virtual operator that targeted college students with a pay-as-you-go service, says it’s shutting down on December 31, with service cut off and all user balances expiring then. XE was an affiliate of the Triple Five Group, best known for its real-estate holdings like the Mall of America, and launched in April 2006. One of XE’s major retail partners was CompUSA, which announced last week that it was closing all its retail outlets. (via Phone Scoop)

XE Mobile shouldn’t be confused with Xero Mobile, the vaporware MVNO that promised free ad-supported mobile service for college students (and which had lots of connections to the infamous Gizmondo). Last we’d heard from Xero was back in September, saying it was in talks to be acquired by Rok Entertainment. Lest it completely fall off the radar, Xero last week put out a release saying that the talks with Rok were still ongoing.

• XE Mobile To Launch Student MVNO
• Vaporware Xero MVNO Being Eyed By Rok
• Xero Mobile In Sale Talks With Another Management; Freer Out