Yeah, they made every single plan that they offer perfect for a particular type of usage. There's really something for everyone here. Well done Virgin.
Hooray for competition!
I think that all prepaid subscribers need to thank Metropcs, Cricket, Pocket Comm. and the other regional unlimited carriers for forcing the major carriers to provide fair and competitive pricing for prepaid service.
Yes the Virgin Mobile price is still a few dollars more than the Boost Mobile Totally Unlimited $50 plan but there are differences (messaging & data + at this time there are very few to Zero NEW Boost CDMA phones out there).
And Virgin Mobile is National vs the Regional Unlimited carriers that charge roaming fees outside of their regions.
I'm sure Tracfone/Net10 will also soon announce their own unlimited plans and packages to counter VM and Boost.
With all this happening on the PREPAID side, I wonder how this will affect the contract side -- if at all ???
I think that all prepaid subscribers need to thank Metropcs, Cricket, Pocket Comm. and the other regional unlimited carriers for forcing the major carriers to provide fair and competitive pricing for prepaid service.
Yes the Virgin Mobile price is still a few dollars more than the Boost Mobile Totally Unlimited $50 plan but there are differences (messaging & data + at this time there are very few to Zero NEW Boost CDMA phones out there).
And Virgin Mobile is National vs the Regional Unlimited carriers that charge roaming fees outside of their regions.
I'm sure Tracfone/Net10 will also soon announce their own unlimited plans and packages to counter VM and Boost.
With all this happening on the PREPAID side, I wonder how this will affect the contract side -- if at all ???
VM does not offer roaming at all. It is limited to the Sprint PCS network only. And that is one of their setbacks. The exception is Helio.
Virgin Mobile USA Combines New Unlimited Nationwide Prepaid Voice Plan Under $50
Virgin Mobile USA Combines New Unlimited Nationwide Prepaid Voice Plan Under $50 With Unemployment "Assistance" Program
New $49.99 Unlimited Plan With No Roaming Charges to Be Covered by "Pink Slip Protection" of up to Three Months Free Service
New Suite of Plans Also Includes First Prepaid "Texter's Delight" Plan
(Click here for details)
See Pricing and Service Details section of brochure or visit VirginMobileUSA.com for full details and latest pricing.
WARREN, NJ--(Marketwire - April 09, 2009) - Once again bringing innovation to the wireless market, Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) announced today it will unveil its new Totally Unlimited prepaid calling plan for $49.99 on April 15, 2009, and will bolster its monthly plans with a special program designed to help support customers who become unemployed.
Customers signing up for the new $49.99 plan or other Virgin Mobile USA Monthly Plans Without Annual Contracts may qualify for "Pink Slip Protection," which will waive up to three months of monthly charges, if the customer becomes unemployed.** Pink Slip Protection will also apply to the new Texter's Delight program, designed for those who text more than talk.
"With a great selection of high quality, affordable handsets, Virgin Mobile USA offers consumers unparalleled value," said Dan Schulman, CEO, Virgin Mobile USA. "New network rates obtained from Sprint, which go into effect immediately, allow us to pass value back to the consumer and open a new addressable market for us at the $49.99 unlimited level. This offer allows us to effectively compete in the market and we believe will help to further improve our financial performance.
"With the unemployment rate rising, the fear of job loss or salary reductions have made consumers watch every dollar," added Schulman. "These issues tend to impact our prepaid base more than many wireless users, so we hope this program can offer some peace of mind to our customers."
$49.99 Totally Unlimited Calling Plans
Last year, Virgin Mobile USA launched one of the lowest-priced unlimited nationwide calling plans. Now, that same offer of no-annual-contract unlimited calling, anytime, anywhere in the United States is available for $49.99. Virgin Mobile USA's plans are payable with cash or credit/debit, have no activation fees, and no long distance or roaming charges, as some companies do, but are consistent with industry standards excluding taxes and surcharges. Roaming charges from some regional companies can run as high as 39 cents per minute. Virgin Mobile USA operates on a nationwide 3G network, reaching more than 280 million people.
Virgin Mobile USA's new refreshed suite includes 300 anytime minutes and 1,000 7PM Nights/Weekend minutes for $29.99 and 400 anytime minutes plus unlimited Nights/Weekend minutes for $39.99. All three Monthly Plans Without Annual Contracts can be bundled with Text/Messaging and/or Mobile Web Access plans for as little as $5 each. And Unlimited Messaging can be added for only $10 per month.
"Prepaid offers better value, rates and flexibility with more advanced handsets than ever before," added Schulman. "No-annual-contract plans lead the wireless industry and Virgin Mobile USA's competitive rates with no long-term commitment provide a viable alternative to contract plans. With our inexpensive handsets, the cost of entry into Virgin Mobile wireless service is often much less than that of our large and smaller competitors."
Texter's Delight
With texting continuing to grow in popularity, Virgin Mobile USA is also introducing on April 15 the only nationwide prepaid plan designed specifically for heavy texters. "More and more people are opting to text instead of talk, in part because it's easier and more convenient, and also because it's less expensive," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer for Virgin Mobile USA.
The new plans offer 1000 Messages for just $14.99 or Unlimited Text and Messaging for $19.99. Included are Text, IM, Email, Photo and Video messaging. Of course, texters can also talk whenever they need to on both plans, with minutes competitively priced at 10 cents each at all times. Stohrer added, "These new Monthly Messaging Plans are a great value at under $20 for heavy texters who want inexpensive minutes only as needed."
New customers choosing Virgin Mobile USA's new Monthly Plans Without Annual Contracts -- $29.99, $39.99 and Totally Unlimited for $49.99 -- will automatically be enrolled in the Pink Slip Protection** program. Once a customer has been with Virgin Mobile for at least two months on a Monthly Plan, and then loses his/her job and becomes eligible for state unemployment benefits within the next 12 months, Virgin Mobile USA will step in with Pink Slip Protection and cover the cost of the monthly plan including taxes and surcharges for up to three months. Proof of eligibility for state unemployment benefits will be required.
Current prepaid Monthly Plan customers will have an open enrollment period through June 30. In order to apply for Pink Slip Protection, one must be a Virgin Mobile USA Monthly Plan customer for at least two consecutive months. Customers activating on the new Texter's Delight monthly plans are also eligible for Pink Slip Protection.
"We take the Virgin role as customer champion very seriously, and hope this is another way our customers can 'Take Advantage of Virgin Mobile.' The role of your cell phone becomes even more essential when you are networking and Pink Slip Protection can mean retaining all the benefits and flexibility of your wireless plan when you need to stay 'connected,'" said Stohrer.
Virgin Mobile USA continues to offer its Pay As You Go Plans as well, with minutes costing as little as 5 cents each which can Roll Forward**. Customers who prefer can still purchase minutes separately that are 20 cents anytime, all the time, and Text/Messaging and Mobile Web packages are available as well.
Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. (NYSE: VM), through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than 5 million customers control, flexibility and choice through Virgin Mobile's Plans Without Annual Contracts, with coverage powered by the Nationwide Sprint Network.
Virgin Mobile USA is known for its award-winning customer service, with more than 90% of its customers reporting satisfaction. Virgin Mobile USA allows customers to earn free minutes in exchange for viewing advertising content online through the innovative Sugar Mama program. Its full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/, with Top-Up cards available at more than 140,000 locations. Virgin Mobile USA also offers unlimited all-in contract plans with advanced devices like the Ocean 2.
Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges. See Pricing and Service Details section of brochure or visit VirginMobileUSA.com for full details and latest pricing. Pricing and service details are valid as of 4/15/09 and thereafter subject to change.
Monthly plan additional minutes are 20 cents each. Basic rates: 15 cents per text, email or IM. 25 cents per pix or video [to send or receive]. Minute Packs expire 30 days after purchase. Unused Minute Pack Minutes Roll Forward [up to 5000] if you Top-Up and choose a Minute Pack prior to the 30th day. Additional minutes are 20 cents each. Top-Up $20 every 90 days [even if you have a balance] to keep your service active.
I just read the news story on Yahoo News http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/200904...bile_unlimited and rushed over to see the discussion I knew would be going on here! I haven't been to the Virgin site in over a week cos SM/FMP were royally pissing me off last month, but now I will scoot over today.
From what I've read on the discussion here there's mostly pros versus cons in terms of deals and new price breaks. I'm interested in seeing if the texting plans will change for old subscribers versus new ones, and a bit peeved bout the price going up to $15 for 1000 msgs.
BTW I recently got 2 family members to switch over to Virgin Mobile when their T-Mo contracts were up, then almost 2 weeks ago they all of a sudden dropped Virgin to go to Metro. I'm not sure how happy they are with their regional L.A. service but I'll defo let then know Virgins changing rates.
Texting is not going up to $15. You are referring to a monthly plan that gives 1000 messages and .10 cents/minute rate. Text messaging add-ons are as follows:
Now tell me something, why does the above $20/unlimited text for PAYG still exist? Why not get the $20 texter's delight plan and get a better per minute rate along with unlimited messages????
Originally Posted by kg1
I just read the news story on Yahoo News http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/200904...bile_unlimited and rushed over to see the discussion I knew would be going on here! I haven't been to the Virgin site in over a week cos SM/FMP were royally pissing me off last month, but now I will scoot over today.
From what I've read on the discussion here there's mostly pros versus cons in terms of deals and new price breaks. I'm interested in seeing if the texting plans will change for old subscribers versus new ones, and a bit peeved bout the price going up to $15 for 1000 msgs.
BTW I recently got 2 family members to switch over to Virgin Mobile when their T-Mo contracts were up, then almost 2 weeks ago they all of a sudden dropped Virgin to go to Metro. I'm not sure how happy they are with their regional L.A. service but I'll defo let then know Virgins changing rates.
Let them alone, cus they have the biggest network, and the most reliable network in America..
The more Verizon gets flack for their higher prices, the more pressure on them to reduce them. They know that we, (and that includes you, I and everyone else here on the forum who uses a phone) the consumers are king, not them. We say and clamor for what we want and they adjust. Maybe Verizon has not adjusted as fast as the other carriers, but this price war has definitely not been ignored by them. Their two new prepaid plans, unlimited texting package and newly added ability to port numbers to Verizon prepaid are all signs of them paying heed to us. It's just that they aren't in the $50 club yet or even anywhere near it. As for Helio, they've been absorbed by Virgin Mobile, so by mentioning Virgin Mobile, by extension, they are included in the short list of companies cutting prices. Besides, Helio is not nearly as extensive or as widely used (personal experiences nonwithstanding) as the other companies. Helio had under 200,000 subscribers when it was bought out by Virgin Mobile last year which comprises less then 4 percent of Virgin Mobile's over 5 million subscribers.
Paying $120 for unlimited monthly prepaid voice when others are offering the same and more for $50 do not make comparable deals. Granted, network matters, but over double in price makes it come across as way too costly if there are other options available. And there are.
Last edited by gestaltent; 04-09-2009 at 08:34 PM.
Originally Posted by Sawawa
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