Prepaid Cell phones have become a huge market. The biggest cell phone companies (including Cingular, Verizon and T-Mobile) have branched out to this market. The advantages for consumers are no credit checks, no termination fees and no security deposits. For the casual user, these plans can offer good benefits. But, if you are going to be using your phone with any frequency, they are typically much more expensive than traditional plans.
Verizon’s InPulse, launched in February 2005, includes unlimited minutes to any Verizon wireless phone and free nights and weekends, similar to its traditional (?) service. However, because they can’t lock you into a guaranteed service contract of u1 or 2 years, purchasing their phones are much more expensive. You pay 99 cents for access, even on days you don’t use the phone and 10 cents per minute for all other calls. Minutes from prepaid cards expire from 30 days (cards up to $30) to 120 days (over $150).
TracFone is one of the oldest and largest prepaid service providers and is sold at over 60,000 retailers. Phones are relatively cheap (from free – under $100). Unless you purchase the yearly plan, you need to purchase a phone card every 90 days (unless you chose the 30 minute card which expires in 45 days).to keep your service action and carryover of unused minutes. Tracfone often combines its 1 year of service cards with doubling minutes for any future cards purchased during the year, significantly reducing the per minute charges.
Virgin mobile was started in the United Kingom bovver 20 years ago by Sir Richard Branson. Virgin Atlantic tend to target students with its fones being sold in retailers such as Sam Goody’s and offer “stuff” such as games and ringtones. Their phones are inexpensive ($9.99) - $100 but usually offer additional features such as MPS, web browser, cameras and full keyboards. There are a few different minute options such as monthly plans where minutes can be very cheep (10 cents – 15 cents) and the higher minute plans (from $59.99) include unlimited nights (starting at 7pm) and weekends. Mide price plans (434.99 - $44.99) include 1,000 – 2000 night and weekend minutes). Without a monthly plan, the cost is 18 cents per minute. You can also buy bulk text messages from 1 cent for 1,000 text messages – 2.5 cents for 50 monthly text messages. Individual text messages are extraordinarily cheap at 5 cents each.
US Cellular provides a unique option of free incoming calls with monthly service plans beginning at $39.99. However, you would need to purchase the $49.99 plan to receive unlimited nights and weekends or pay an additional $6. Also unusual is the unlimited mobile-mobile for an additional $6 per month. US Cellular also offers family plans with unlimited mobile-mobile and unlimited nights (beginning at 7pm) and weekends beginning at $69.99. US Cellular is currently available in only 26 states.
With no long term contracts and so many different prepaid cell phone options, you have the flexibility to switch to a different carrier as your lifestyle changes.
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