Media Center
|
Virgin Mobile USA Combines New Unlimited Nationwide Prepaid Voice Plan Under $50 With Unemployment "Assistance" Program
New $49.99 Unlimited Plan With No Roaming Charges to Be Covered by "Pink Slip Protection" of up to Three Months Free Service
New Suite of Plans Also Includes First Prepaid "Texter's Delight" Plan
WARREN, NJ --
(MARKET WIRE)
-- 04/09/2009 --
Once again bringing innovation to the wireless
market, Virgin Mobile USA (
Customers signing up for the new $49.99 plan or other Virgin Mobile USA
Monthly Plans Without Annual Contracts may qualify for "Pink Slip
Protection," which will waive up to three months of monthly charges, if the
customer becomes unemployed.** Pink Slip Protection will also apply to the
new Texter's Delight program, designed for those who text more than talk.
"With a great selection of high quality, affordable handsets, Virgin Mobile
USA offers consumers unparalleled value," said Dan Schulman, CEO, Virgin
Mobile USA. "New network rates obtained from Sprint, which go into effect
immediately, allow us to pass value back to the consumer and open a new
addressable market for us at the $49.99 unlimited level. This offer allows
us to effectively compete in the market and we believe will help to further
improve our financial performance.
"With the unemployment rate rising, the fear of job loss or salary
reductions have made consumers watch every dollar," added Schulman. "These
issues tend to impact our prepaid base more than many wireless users, so we
hope this program can offer some peace of mind to our customers."
$49.99 Totally Unlimited Calling Plans
Last year, Virgin Mobile USA launched one of the lowest-priced unlimited
nationwide calling plans. Now, that same offer of no-annual-contract
unlimited calling, anytime, anywhere in the United States is available for
$49.99. Virgin Mobile USA's plans are payable with cash or credit/debit,
have no activation fees, and no long distance or roaming charges, as some
companies do, but are consistent with industry standards excluding taxes
and surcharges. Roaming charges from some regional companies can run as
high as 39 cents per minute. Virgin Mobile USA operates on a nationwide 3G
network, reaching more than 280 million people.
Virgin Mobile USA's new refreshed suite includes 300 anytime minutes and
1,000 7PM Nights/Weekend minutes for $29.99 and 400 anytime minutes plus
unlimited Nights/Weekend minutes for $39.99. All three Monthly Plans
Without Annual Contracts can be bundled with Text/Messaging and/or Mobile
Web Access plans for as little as $5 each. And Unlimited Messaging can be
added for only $10 per month.
"Prepaid offers better value, rates and flexibility with more advanced
handsets than ever before," added Schulman. "No-annual-contract plans lead
the wireless industry and Virgin Mobile USA's competitive rates with no
long-term commitment provide a viable alternative to contract plans. With
our inexpensive handsets, the cost of entry into Virgin Mobile wireless
service is often much less than that of our large and smaller competitors."
Texter's Delight
With texting continuing to grow in popularity, Virgin Mobile USA is also
introducing on April 15 the only nationwide prepaid plan designed
specifically for heavy texters. "More and more people are opting to text
instead of talk, in part because it's easier and more convenient, and also
because it's less expensive," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer for
Virgin Mobile USA.
The new plans offer 1000 Messages for just $14.99 or Unlimited Text and
Messaging for $19.99. Included are Text, IM, Email, Photo and Video
messaging. Of course, texters can also talk whenever they need to on both
plans, with minutes competitively priced at 10 cents each at all times.
Stohrer added, "These new Monthly Messaging Plans are a great value at
under $20 for heavy texters who want inexpensive minutes only as needed."
More information about the new $49.99 Totally Unlimited and new Texter's
Delight Plans is available at http://web.virginmobileusa.com/unlimited.
Pink Slip Protection
New customers choosing Virgin Mobile USA's new Monthly Plans Without Annual
Contracts -- $29.99, $39.99 and Totally Unlimited for $49.99 -- will
automatically be enrolled in the Pink Slip Protection** program. Once a
customer has been with Virgin Mobile for at least two months on a Monthly
Plan, and then loses his/her job and becomes eligible for state
unemployment benefits within the next 12 months, Virgin Mobile USA will
step in with Pink Slip Protection and cover the cost of the monthly plan
including taxes and surcharges for up to three months. Proof of
eligibility for state unemployment benefits will be required.
Current prepaid Monthly Plan customers will have an open enrollment period
through June 30. In order to apply for Pink Slip Protection, one must be a
Virgin Mobile USA Monthly Plan customer for at least two consecutive
months. Customers activating on the new Texter's Delight monthly plans are
also eligible for Pink Slip Protection.
"We take the Virgin role as customer champion very seriously, and hope this
is another way our customers can 'Take Advantage of Virgin Mobile.' The
role of your cell phone becomes even more essential when you are networking
and Pink Slip Protection can mean retaining all the benefits and
flexibility of your wireless plan when you need to stay 'connected,'" said
Stohrer.
For more information, customers can visit
http://web.virginmobileusa.com/protection/ to enroll as of April 15
(website not live until April 15).
Choice & Flexibility
Virgin Mobile USA continues to offer its Pay As You Go Plans as well, with
minutes costing as little as 5 cents each which can Roll Forward**.
Customers who prefer can still purchase minutes separately that are 20
cents anytime, all the time, and Text/Messaging and Mobile Web packages are
available as well.
**Some conditions and restrictions apply. Visit www.virginmobileusa.com
for full details.
About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. (
Virgin Mobile USA is known for its award-winning customer service, with
more than 90% of its customers reporting satisfaction. Virgin Mobile USA
allows customers to earn free minutes in exchange for viewing advertising
content online through the innovative Sugar Mama program. Its full slate of
smart, stylish and affordable handsets are available at approximately
40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/, with Top-Up cards available at more than
140,000 locations. Virgin Mobile USA also offers unlimited all-in contract
plans with advanced devices like the Ocean 2.
Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges. See Pricing and Service Details
section of brochure or visit VirginMobileUSA.com for full details and
latest pricing. Pricing and service details are valid as of 4/15/09 and
thereafter subject to change.
Monthly plan additional minutes are 20 cents each. Basic rates: 15 cents
per text, email or IM. 25 cents per pix or video [to send or receive].
Minute Packs expire 30 days after purchase. Unused Minute Pack Minutes
Roll Forward [up to 5000] if you Top-Up and choose a Minute Pack prior to
the 30th day. Additional minutes are 20 cents each. Top-Up $20 every 90
days [even if you have a balance] to keep your service active.
|
