New York (NY) – Virgin Mobile has announced perhaps the world’s simplest wireless plan.  Starting on July 1st, you’ll be able to get unlimited nationwide calling for $79.99.  The plan has no annual contracts, no activation fee, no roaming charges and no credit check.   Furthermore, you can call any number (none of this same network business) at any time.  Subscribers can pay with cash, credit or debit card.

Virgin says you can buy a compatible Virgin Mobile phone today and switch to the unlimited plan on July 1st.  What’s nice is that you can switch away from the plan at any time for no charge.  Perhaps the only downside to this plan is the poor selection of phones with Virgin Mobile.  While very inexpensive (starting at $9.99), these phones are no-frills and quite basic in both looks and functionality.  However, you can get the SideKick-like Wild Card for $89.99.

There is just one minor catch for text message fans – and there are a lot of you.  Unlimited text messaging will cost you an extra $10.

Virgin Mobile competes with other pay-as-you-go providers like Boost Mobile and AT&T's GoPhone.  Unlike traditional phone providers in the United States, the pay-as-you-go companies don't require a credit check or complicated contracts.

How the F@$K is $79.99 a deal???

Jun 24, 2008 15:53     

Go to Europe, buy a GSM SIM card and put it into your unlocked GSM phone. All incoming calls are free, doesn't matter if they are long distance or not. You only pay for calls that you make and there are no monthly obligations. I still have my SIM card from when I travel over there. I've paid like $20 total and the amount of minutes that I purchased don't expire, ever! In this U.S., if you wanted a plan like that... your minutes expire after a month and you still have to pay more. For being such a self-proclaimed great nation, the wireless options in the U.S. (not to mention internet) SUCK.

Henrik Gustavsson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

MetroPCS?

Jun 24, 2008 16:14     

MetroPCS has had unlimited for some years now, for some $40 a month, all prepaid.
lithdoc report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Embedded ads

Jun 24, 2008 18:30     

When did TG Daily start running embedded ads as content? This is a pretty ridiculous non-story.
xrkn report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

RE: embedded ads

Jun 25, 2008 02:47     

lol. when they're offered money.
VILLAIN_xx report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Smaller companies have been doing this for a while.

Jun 25, 2008 08:06     

A company here in Alabama has been doing a plan similar to this for many, many years now. It consists of unlimited anytime minutes and texting for about 50 dollars a month. The only problem with them is that they are a smaller company, thus the service can't compare to the larger corporations. It would really be nice to see the larger companies (Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) come up with a competing plan without tearing a hole in our wallets.

Palindromes report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

re: MetroPCS

Jun 25, 2008 20:00     

Yes, but you can't call anyone outside the Metro coverage area without getting roaming charges.
mariox report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0