Looking to capitalize on the popularity of smartphones—and tap into the range of consumers put off by multi-year contractual commitments—Verizon Wireless has announced new pre-paid 3G data plans for smartphone users. Customers will be able to select between a $10 per month plan that handles up to 25 BG of data—with an addition $0.20 per megabyte for overages—or a $30 per month plan that offers unlimited data. The plans go on sale September 28.
“These new data offerings will help our prepaid customers experience the full breadth of Verizon Wireless’ robust device portfolio and the many engaging, informative, and helpful applications that depend on a data plan,” said Verizon Wireless director of marketing Jim Sullivan, in a statement.
A variety of 3G smartphones and devices will be supported under the plan, including a range of Android and BlackBerry devices, as well as the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi, and multimedia phones like the Nokia Twist, Casio Exilim, and Samsung Renown.
Pre-paid plans might be popular with students, small business, and cash-strapped consumers wary of committing to a long-term service contract. Mobile carrier subsidize the costs of most devices sold on their networks, and make the money up over the term of a service contract: it’s not unusual for a smartphone service plan to run upwards of $70 a month, meaning a $200 handset entails an expenditure approaching $2,000 over the course of a two-year contract. Pre-paid plans enable customers to purchase service when they need it and cancel service at any time with no penalty.
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