Verizon Wireless Offers $50 Unlimited Prepaid Plan

AT&T recently starting offering Android on its prepaid cell phone plans, with the launch of a prepaid LG Thrive Android Smartphone on its AT&T GoPhone service ( The Thrive is only $150 right now on Amazon if you are interested: LG Thrive Prepaid Android GoPhone (AT&T)

The emergence of prepaid smartphones and unlimited phone plans from carriers like MetroPCS is probably putting a lot of pressure on Verizon to keep up in the pay as you go arena.

SO what did Verizon do? They came out with their own unlimited calling and text plan for only $50, and it's a prepaid plan. Their previous best prepaid plan was $95 a month. Right now this plan isn't available everywhere, but it should be available nationwide soon.

Month to Month Cell Phone Plans

In the last few years a lot has changed about prepaid cellular. Whereas in the old days you might buy a refurbished Nokia phone and add cards ( buying "minutes"), these days its really more a case of you have prepaid cell phone plans and month to month services.

You can still choose to "pay as you go" in the form of just buying a phone and buying new prepaid cards whenever you run out of minutes. But a lot of the better carriers also have plans where you get very decent minute and text allowances with no future obligation.

A lot of prepaid consumers might say they go prepaid wireless because they don't want a plan, but often what they really mean is they don't want a contract. They don't want a phone that requires a credit check and a contractual obligation. But they wouldn't mind getting a better deal on their minutes.

For example a provider like Virgin Mobile or Go Phone will allow the option of buying the $20-30 top-up cards, but they will also allow you to choose actual monthly plans that allow you a nice amount of minutes and text message allowance. You can really pay as you go with no contract or termination fees. The rates are pretty competitive to contract plans and the carrier offers some freedom while retaining control over billing.

This is just one aspect that makes prepaid services a very attractive option for the millions of consumers who can now order cell phones online and pick the services that fit them best.

Ditching Pay As you Go for Contract Cell Phone Service

Prepaid/pay as you go is a great service for cell phone users. My wife used Virgin Mobile for several years and it did the job.

Recently we have decided she really needs a monthly contract phone with automatic billing and a consistent bill. I added her to my Verizon contract. I have had Verizon 9 years including when there were BAM- Bell Atlantic Mobile.

I added my wife to a plan that includes unlimited IN calling AND texting to other Verizon users as well as unlimited off-peak minutes. No more prepaid cards for us!

Still, prepaid can be very useful for people who use it sporadically or for limited needs or those who just can't do a contract or have a great spouse who can do one for you.