Virgin Mobile Phone Plans Review

Virgin Mobile offers a variety of no-contract cell phone plans to meet the needs of its customers. Three BEYOND TALK plans include unlimited data, messaging and email with different levels of anytime voice minutes for smart phone customers. Three payLo plans include different levels of talk and text service for regular cell phone customers. Two BROADBAND2GO plans include different levels of 3G/4G data service for data-only customers.

By selecting the right cell phone plan, Virgin Mobile's customers can save substantial money compared to what they would have paid to the leading contract cell phone providers such as AT&T and Verizon. They can also avoid being stuck in a long-term cell phone contract for years to come.

Virgin Mobile USA was founded in 2001 and began operating in 2002 as one of the first companies in the United States to offer prepaid mobile phone services. Virgin Mobile is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprint Nextel, and it provides prepaid, wireless voice, messaging and broadband data services across the United States using Sprint's cell phone network. Thus, Virgin Mobile is a reputable company backed by a long operating history in the mobile phone industry and by Sprint's network infrastructure.

Virgin Mobile offers three BEYOND TALK plans for smart phone customers. All three plans include unlimited data and messaging. The differences in the plans involves the number of voice minutes, with the $35 per month plan including 300 minutes, the $45 per month plan including 1200 minutes, and the $55 per month plan including unlimited minutes. Customers who sign up for automatic monthly payments get a discount of $5 per month (i.e., to $30, $40 or $50 per month). While the data is unlimited, the 3G/4G full speed data connection is only guaranteed for the first 2.5 GB per month.

Virgin Mobile customers selecting a BEYOND TALK plan can choose from among 12 smart phones, which they purchase from Virgin Mobile online or at one of the many stores selling its products. The up-front prices of these phones may appear steep in comparison to the subsidized prices advertised by contract cell phone providers, but the savings in monthly service costs more than make up for it. The smart phones currently being offered on Virgin Mobile's website include the following:

1. iPhone 4S with 16 GB for $649.99
2. iPhone 4 with 8 GB for $549.99
3. HTC EVO V for $299.99
4. Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $249.99
5. HTC One V for $199.99
6. Kyocera Rise for $99.99
7. LG Optimus Elite for $129.99
8. Chaser for $59.99
9. LG Optimus Slider for $129.99
10. Venture for $29.99
11. Motorola Triumph for $279.99
12. Samsung Intercept for $99.99

Virgin Mobile has frequently updated its selection of smart phones to keep abreast of the latest technology. For example, it is now offering both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. The prices of these phones also fluctuates rapidly, and Virgin Mobile offers many Web exclusives, so its a good idea to check the website for the latest selection and prices before ordering a phone or service.

Virgin Mobile offers three different payLo plans for regular cell phone customers. The least expensive plan includes 400 minutes of talk, text service for 15 cents/text and web access for $1.50/MB for $20 per month. Since customers must pay extra for each text and web access, this very inexpensive plan is most suitable for customers who use their cell phones only occasionally. The next payLo plan includes 1500 minutes of talk, 1500 texts and 30 MB of web access for $30 per month. The most expensive plan includes unlimited talk and texts and 50 MB of web access for $40 per month.

Virgin Mobile customers selecting a payLo plan choose from five cell phones, which they purchase from Virgin Mobile online or at one of the many stores selling its products. These phones are:

1. Samsung Montage for $49.99
2. Samsung Entra for $14.99
3. Samsung M575 for $49.99
4. Kyocera S2300 for $29.99
5. Kyocera S2100 for $19.99

Virgin Mobile also offers two data-only BROADBAND2GO plans. For $35 per month, customers get 2 GB of 3G data and unlimited 4G data (where available). For $55 per month, customers get 5 GB of 3G data and unlimited 4G data (where available). In both plans, the 3G data ends once the applicable limit is reached, while the full-speed 4G data connection is guaranteed up to 10 GB of data.

Virgin Mobile customers selecting a BROADBAND2GO plan have a choice of four devices:

1. 4G Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot for $119.99
2. 4G U600 3G/4G USB Stick for $69.99
3. MiFi 2200 for $59.99
4. Ovation MC760 for $29.99