Not wanting to let rivals get all the prepaid attention, Verizon Wireless this week launched a lower-priced offering designed to tempt those looking for a basic device that they do not plan on talking on very much.
The new plan is priced at $35 per month and offers 500 voice minutes, along with unlimited messaging and mobile Web access. The plan is also targeted at “basic” devices only, which those picking up a new device from Verizon Wireless are limited to a pair of LG and Samsung devices. The available phones do have slide-out QWERTY keyboards to help with the unlimited messaging aspect of the offer, though their petite screens and basic operating systems would seem to stymie dipping too much into the unlimited mobile Web bucket.
For those that are looking for more talk time, the carrier continues to offer up unlimited calling for $50 per month. The carrier is also allowing customers to bring previously activated “basic” devices onto the prepaid plans.
Verizon Wireless earlier this year tweaked its prepaid offerings for smartphones providing customers unlimited voice calling, messaging and 500 megabytes of data transmission for $60 per month, or for $70 per month throwing in 2 gigabytes of data. The catch? Well, those plans are currently limited to 3G devices running Google Android, BlackBerry’s BlackBerry and Apple’s iOS operating systems, though the carrier did note that customers would be able to bring an already owned smartphone to the rate plans.
T-Mobile USA and Virgin Mobile USA both launched competing credit offers this week in hopes of enticing customers between their respective no-contract offerings, while AT&T Mobility was reported to be closing in on launching a new prepaid platform under the All In One Wireless brand.
Verizon Wireless remains one of the more conservative domestic carriers in targeting the no-contract space, a move understandable as it continues to dominate rivals in adding contract customers. The carrier has also found some success in the prepaid market through mobile virtual network operator partnerships.
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