Verizon to Push $50 Unlimited Prepaid Plan

[EddyP]

I did not see this here. Apologies if I missed it.

Verizon to Push $50 Unlimited Prepaid Plan

By GREG BENSINGER

Verizon Wireless will introduce a new unlimited prepaid plan nationally this week, taking on rivals Sprint Nextel Corp. and MetroPCS Communications Inc. as they continue to add customers seeking contract-free service.

Verizon Wireless will begin offering the plan—which includes unlimited talk, text and Web use for $50 a month—on Thursday, said spokeswoman Brenda Raney. In addition to Verizon stores, it will be sold at Best Buy Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. locations.

Verizon is making the push into unlimited prepaid plans as the category drives customer growth on Sprint's Virgin Mobile and Boost brands, as well as MetroPCS. Prepaid plans, which have historically been marketed to lower-income customers, are becoming more attractive as the cost declines and phone choices improve.

Such plans still make up a small percentage of Verizon's business. As of the end of June, Verizon had 4.4 million prepaid customers, 3.4% fewer than a year earlier, while it boosted its more lucrative contract users by 4.6% to 85.3 million. By contrast, Sprint lifted its prepaid subscriber rolls in the period by 23% to 13.8 million, about a quarter of its total customers, while MetroPCS added 19% to 9.1 million.

"This is a very competitive market, and we want to make sure we have a price portfolio to fit a greater number of customers," Ms. Raney said. "In these times, there are some people who would prefer living on a prepaid plan."

Several carriers now offer smartphones on unlimited prepaid plans, which don't require a two-year contract commitment. Sprint's Boost lets users who pay on time to lower their bills to as little as $35 per month. MetroPCS has unlimited prepaid plans for as low as $40 per month and AT&T Inc. offers a $50 prepaid plan known as GoPhone.

Verizon is unlikely to lower the unlimited prepaid plan prices further so as "to prevent cannibalization of its postpaid subscribers," said Barclays Capital analyst James Ratcliffe.

New Verizon customers will be limited to four phones from LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and Pantech Co., though some older prepaid phones can be used for the unlimited plan. The devices aren't smartphones, so they do not have full Web-browsing capability.

Verizon Wireless is co-owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC.

Yeah, it's not helping iPhone users. But a rare instance where there are more choices for us is a good thing.

 

[darster]

Unfortunately it doens't help us iphone owners. Limited to 4 dumbphones.

 

[ap3604]

Limited to 4 dumbphones.

Exactly... thanks for nipping this one in the bud darster

 

[RotaryP7]

Yes, it does not let you use the iPhone or any highend smartphone on the plan. It's also launching at Radioshack; Which is also the first day Verizon launches back to Radioshack.

 

[Pooshka]

There's no way you're ever gonna get sub-$100 unlimited everything plan on an iPhone. Simple as that.

At the same time, it despises me how companies tout something audacious like unlimited everything plan limited to some freaking dumbphones. It's like saying: here is your 99¢ unlimited everything plan; but bear in mind it's limited to only 1 phone that is not capable of text or data. Enjoy!

Despicable muthafookerz!

 

[unlimitedx]

There's no way you're ever gonna get sub-$100 unlimited everything plan on an iPhone. Simple as that.

At the same time, it despises me how companies tout something audacious like unlimited everything plan limited to some freaking dumbphones. It's like saying: here is your 99¢ unlimited everything plan; but bear in mind it's limited to only 1 phone that is not capable of text or data. Enjoy!

Despicable muthafookerz!

It exists already. $60 unlimited for talk, text web on H2O wireless, pre-paid, 3g compatible.

 

[Nachoconqueso]

It's like shelling out for an all you can eat buffet, but the buffet only stocks iceberg lettuce.

 

[ap3604]

It exists already. $60 unlimited for talk, text web on H2O wireless, pre-paid, 3g compatible.

I've heard that your limited to basically edge data speeds no? Not 3g...

 

[FearNo1]

Not sure how this thread is relevant to iphone...

 

[kbfr08]

I've heard that your limited to basically edge data speeds no? Not 3g...

I don't know where you spend most of your time, but most places I go to have non-protected wifi service, so he h2o would be a good deal for me. Good thing I'm on the grandfathered verizon data plan, so I'm getting a good enough deal

 

[cyks]

There's no way you're ever gonna get sub-$100 unlimited everything plan on an iPhone. Simple as that.

At the same time, it despises me how companies tout something audacious like unlimited everything plan limited to some freaking dumbphones. It's like saying: here is your 99¢ unlimited everything plan; but bear in mind it's limited to only 1 phone that is not capable of text or data. Enjoy!

Despicable muthafookerz!

Funny, since I regularly enjoy using between 2-3GB and occasionally over 5GB of data a month on my "freaking dumbphone."

That's the one thing I'll miss when I upgrade to whatever it is that they release in the next month...or rather, more reason I'm hoping it goes to Sprint.

 

[EddyP]

It's like shelling out for an all you can eat buffet, but the buffet only stocks iceberg lettuce.

Agreed. Sort of.

The problem is the iPhone and these dumbphones use the same "food from the buffet". It's just different plates and silverware. I would hope eventually the distinction is eliminated. I understand paying higher prices for service when you get a subsidized phone, but it seems wrong for pre-paid devices that are not under contract.

I know this isn't for the iPhone. But any increase in choices is a good thing for us consumers. It's rare something in the cell service world seems like a good thing for consumers these days.

Plus I thought it would be a nice break from all of the "when are invites going out?" threads.

Choice is good IMO.

 

[Carl G35c]

I don't know where you spend most of your time, but most places I go to have non-protected wifi service, so he h2o would be a good deal for me. Good thing I'm on the grandfathered verizon data plan, so I'm getting a good enough deal

Then that wouldn't be using 3G service...