Back on February 1, Verizon introduced a new set of prepaid plans that were laughable, to say the least. These new plans started at $60, which would get you unlimited talk and text along with 500MB of data. The second tier landed you the same unlimited benefits, but only 2GB of data for $70. Keep in mind that neither is capable of connecting to Verizon’s nationwide 4G LTE network and are instead stuck on their insanely slow 3G CDMA network. Also, prepaid offerings from companies like SmartTalk offer unlimited talk, text, and data for as little as $45 per month on HSPA+ networks. 

Outside of MVNOs, we have seen T-Mobile become the UNcarrier and AT&T launch their new AIO prepaid plans over the last couple of months, both offering services which crush the measly little data caps that Verizon set in initial prepaid plans. So, as any respectable business would do, Verizon has made some changes to those initial offerings.

Their prepaid plans now offer more data along with the same unlimited talk and text bundles. For $60, prepaid customers will start at 2GB of data instead of 500MB. At $70, customers will be bumped up to 4GB of monthly data.

Keep in mind that AT&T’s new AIO plans start at $55 for unlimited talk and text with 2GB of data, but then jump to unlimited (high-speed HSPA+ for the first 7GB) data for $70.

Via:  Verizon

Verizon Ups Data Limits on New Prepaid Plans, Likely in Response to Competitors is a post from: Droid Life

According to a report out of Fierce Wireless, AT&T will introduce new “All in One” prepaid plans starting June 15. The plans will likely include unlimited talk and text, but will have varying limits on data depending on the price you pay. Sources mentioned $35 feature phone plans, along with $50 and $70 smartphone plans that will be tested in Texas and Florida this month, with a nationwide rollout in June. At $50, the smartphone plan will include 2GB of data, while the $70 plan will bump data limits to 5GB. If a user were to eclipse their allotment for the month, their data speeds would be slowed.

The report doesn’t specifically mention if these new prepaid plans will work on AT&T’s LTE network.

Verizon’s current smartphone prepaid plans give you either 500MB of data for $60 per month or 2GB of data for $70 per month. LTE is not a part of the deal.

Via:  Fierce Wireless

Report: AT&T to Launch “All in One” Prepaid Plans in June for $35, $50, and $70 is a post from: Droid Life

Over the last couple of months, especially with the moves made by T-Mobile to become the UNcarrier and Google selling an unlocked phone (Nexus 4) that isn’t tied to any carrier, we are hearing prepaid wireless service brought up in conversations quite often. In fact, I joined a prepaid network back at the beginning of the year with my Nexus 4 and have enjoyed every minute of it. But as prepaid seems to have become increasingly more popular, we still get the feeling that consumers aren’t considering the switch to it. And I’m not necessarily saying that because I think you should all switch, I’m just curious to know why it either hasn’t been on your radar or why you have decided it’s not right for you?

There are arguments for and against prepaid, just as their are with postpaid (contract service with carriers like Verizon), but I’d love to get the DL community to weigh in with them. Is it a lack of LTE? Do you not want to be thought of as a drug dealer (kidding!)? Does it have to do with prepaid service network coverage (typically AT&T and T-Mobile are the networks used)? Are you not interested in paying higher prices for unlocked phones? Do you simply not understand how it works?

I personally like prepaid because, for one, it’s cheap. I also can purchase unlimited talk, text, and data on a prepaid plan, use a phone of my choosing, and switch between service providers at the drop of a hat should the current one not satisfy my wireless needs. There is probably a deeper story in there on the benefits of prepaid (or life with prepaid service), which we’ll work on in the coming weeks. For now, though, I’d love to have your opinions.

Thursday Poll: Why Haven’t You Switched to Prepaid Wireless Service? is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon officially introduced new prepaid plans this morning, the same plans that were leaked earlier in the week. The plans are as follows – $60 for unlimited talk, text and 500MB of data or $70 for unlimited talk, text and 2GB of data. Oh, we should also point out that these plans can only use Verizon’s insanely slow 3G CDMA network and not their ultra-fast 4G LTE network.

So why would you switch to one of these, you ask? I have no idea. If you want to go the prepaid route, we already talked about options for T-Mobile and AT&T a couple of days ago that run $45-50 and include unlimited HSPA+ data, which at times is faster than LTE.

But, if you love Verizon to no end and need something cheaper than their Share Everything plans, here are your new options.

Verizon Announces New Unlimited Prepaid Plans, No 4G LTE in Sight is a post from: Droid Life

For those of you on a Verizon prepaid plan, be on the lookout for changes coming through around February 1. Big Red plans to adjust the current $80 smartphone option, by offering two new options at $70 and $60. The $70 plan provides users with unlimited talk and text (same as the old plan), along with 2GB of 3G data. The $60 plan offers up the same unlimited talk and text, but only provides 500MB of 3G data. 

The current plan runs $80, and includes unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data. However, Verizon is offering up 2GB of data as a promo to those that sign-up for the $80 plan before January 31. Obviously, you would want to switch down to the $70 plan once it goes into effect.

We should point out again that Verizon’s prepaid plans only support 3G data. There are no 4G prepaid options at this point. In fact, the only phone options you have are the HTC Rhyme, Samung Illusion, and some Blackberry device that’s probably from the 80s.

Via:  PhoneArena

Verizon to Introduce New Unlimited Prepaid Plans February 1 is a post from: Droid Life

Back in September, Google announced that the prepaid card program through Google Wallet was coming to an end and that customers could receive refunds for leftover funds around October 17. Sure enough, on October 17, the refund form went live, giving those of us with non-working Google Wallet apps (thanks Verizon!) or those with remaining balances a chance to get their cash back. Some of us weren’t sure if it would work for non-supported devices, though, since some of the form’s boxes had to be left blank, again, thanks to non-working Wallet apps.

Also, after filling out the form, users who requested refunds were left in the dark as to when they may receive those funds. Up until moments ago, when I received a status report from Google, I had no idea if or when I would be receiving a refund. According to the email above, that silence was due to “processing issues” that have now be resolved.

If you have yet to receive your refund, there is a good chance that it will be in the mail by December 22.

Google Wallet Prepaid Card Refunds Finally Going Out, Processing Issues Resolved is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon announced a new 3G prepaid plan this morning that at least at first glance, appears to be decent. Starting May 1 for $80 per month and no contract, you can take advantage of unlimited talk and text, along with 1GB of data. Normal prepaid plans are already “unlimited” for mobile-to-mobile, but this just says “unlimited talk” which comes off as meaning unlimited talk to anyone on any type of phone (we’ll know for sure tomorrow). On the data front, the current prepaid price for data is $30 a month to have unlimited. If you were to purchase the unlimited talk plan along with a data package, you are looking at a total monthly bill of around $130. So again, this new $80 plan doesn’t look all that bad.

Verizon also announced new prepaid mobile broadband plans at $15 for 250MB of data weekly, $60 for 3GB or $90 for 10GB of data monthly. 

VERIZON WIRELESS ANNOUNCES NEW PREPAID PLANS

Unlimited Talk, Text and 1 GB of Data Smartphone Plan for $80 per Month; First Prepaid 4G Jetpack Offers a Variety of Mobile Broadband Data Plan Options

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of a new prepaid plan beginning May 1, offering unlimited talk and text messaging, as well as 1 GB of data for $80 per month. This monthly plan, available on the prepaid Samsung Illusion™, provides customers with an affordable, flexible option to take advantage of the nation’s largest, most reliable 3G network without the commitment of an annual contract. The Samsung Illusion prepaid package will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $169.99. In the coming weeks, the Samsung Illusion prepaid will also be available at Best Buy®, Target®, RadioShack and Walmart.

Additionally, starting May 1, customers can purchase a prepaid Verizon Jetpack™ 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4510L and take advantage of new prepaid Mobile Broadband plans. With the prepaid Jetpack, customers can now create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously. Prepaid 4G LTE Mobile Broadband plans are as follows:

· $15 for 250 MB of data weekly
· $60 for 3 GB of data monthly
· $90 for 10 GB of data monthly

The Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4510L prepaid package will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $129.99. In the coming weeks, it will also be available at Best Buy, RadioShack and Walmart.

From keeping in touch with friends to surfing the Web, Verizon Wireless gives customers the power and flexibility to stay connected, with no annual contract, to America’s largest and most reliable high-speed wireless network. For more information on prepaid plan offerings, visit www.verizonwireless.com/prepay.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Verizon Announces New Prepaid Plan – Unlimited Talk and Text Plus 1GB of Data for $80 is a post from: Droid Life