Prepaid reaches the high, low ends
Prepaid wireless users are no longer relegated to out-of-date flip phones or the bricks that once symbolized the contract-free market. More and more sophisticated handsets are being introduced by carriers and being embraced by younger text- and Web-oriented wireless customers, according to New Millennium Research (NMRC).
In a study put out today, NMRC executive director Allen Hepner said the arrival of more advanced handsets should help prepaid continue the momentum it’s picked up in the past year. The report highlighted a few of the advanced devices brought to market, most of which came from Samsung: Wal-Mart’s exclusive Straight Talk brand carries the Samsung Finesse touch-screen phone and Samsung R451C with mobile Web and a Qwerty keyboard. Verizon carriers the Samsung Intensity Qwerty phone. T-Mobile and Boost Mobile have been slower to bring their handsets up to speed, NMRC said, but both offer the Samsung t349 sporting half a qwerty keypad. Boost also offers the i465 with the full keypad. While these phones are more advanced than the most basic calling and texting devices, only MetroPCS and T-Mobile offer devices that can be classified as smartphones.
The NMRC forecast back in March that millions of Americans would shift to lower cost prepaid plans to save my money during the current recession – a prediction that clearly has come to fruition over the past year. There is still, however, a subset of Americans that can’t afford wireless plans of any sort. In a separate announcement today addressing this audience, Sprint-owned Virgin Mobile launched a new government-funded wireless service for more than 1.5 million lower-income households in New York.
The Assurance Wireless service, in conjunction with non-profit organization HeartShare Human Services, includes a free Kyocera Jax handset and 200 minutes of free wireless and long-distance calling within the US every month. The idea is that those that qualify for income-based assistance programs can use the cell phone service for essential functions like obtaining employment, scheduling medical appointments or contacting their children’s schools. Beyond the 200 minutes, funded by the Universal Service Fund, customers can choose to pay for additional 20-cent per minute domestic calling, international calling, 15-cent text and data services. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile also participate in this project, LifeLine, which began in 1997 after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, but they only offer discounted, not free, service.
December 10th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
My contract is about to expire and it’s time to make a move, I’m so sick of being ripped off and charged more than what’s advertised so I’m going to get a prepaid phone. I’ve checked them all out already and I’m pretty sure that Straight Talk is the best. Not only because they have the best prices but because they are on Verizon’s network nationwide which is so much more preferable to Sprint’s network. I really like the Samsung Finesse touch-screen phone and the unlimited is so cheap I’ll definitely go for that. I think this will be my little Christmas present to myself and I can justify buying it because it’ll save me money in the end.
December 10th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I have prepaid and I love it!! Especially now that all the cool phones are available for pay as you go.
December 10th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Tracy Black - I just have 3 words for you… “GO FOR IT!!” I’ve had Straight Talk since Mother’s Day (when my wonderful daughter gifted me this plan). My contract w/ AT&T had just expired and I too was contemplating making the switch. Of course, she took action cause the less I spend on cell phone charges, the more I spend of clothes for her! (always an ulterior motive -but got to love her!!) So, I started off with the $30 monthly plan for 1000 minutes and texts and data which was terrific. Just recently she urged me to upgrade to the unlimited plan for only $15 more a month, so she can also use the phone to her heart’s content and… that’s cool. As far as coverage, don’t sweat it. Straight Talk is on the Verizon network so you never run the risk of no connection or dropped calls. Take it from a new prepaid fan - this IS the way to go - All the perks, none of the headaches!!!
December 15th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I have two words for you. I AGREE! I have the straight talk plan also. I love this company. I really cannot believe how much money i save using this service. Without straight talk I would be spending a lot more money and having to sacrifice other great parts of my life.
December 27th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I have Straight Talk. I previously had Verizon then switched to AT&T but the bills were CRAZY!.
When I heard about Straight Talk I couldn’t believe it but got it from Walmart and have had it now for 2 months and it is just sick! I’d heard that it was on Verizon and the coverage is rock steady, so yeah!
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