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Feb. 12, 2009

Verizon Wireless has bumped up its InPulse prepaid package with two new options and the extension of free weekend air time to existing prepaid customers enrolled in its VW Plus Plan.

The new offerings are called 'Prepaid Unlimited Talk' and 'Prepaid Basic', and for a $4 daily access fee only on the days used, Prepaid Unlimited Talk provides mobile users with unlimited calling and text messages run at $0.01 per message sent or received.

On average, Prepaid Basic is designed for the less-frequent wireless user and comes with no daily charge, and all calls are charged at the rate of 25 cents per minute and text messages at 20 cents per message sent or received.

Verizon prepaid users can add unlimited messaging bundles for $20 per month or an in-network unlimited messaging bundle that includes 250 out-of-network messages for $10 per month.

Brenda Raney, spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless said the carrier’s existing prepaid plans — Core, Plus and Power — will remain, but the Power option will be postponed for now.

The Core plan costs $1 per day (but only on days used) and includes unlimited in-network calling. Per minute and text message rates cost 10 cents.

Plus features a $2 daily access fee for days used, unlimited in-network calling and unlimited night minutes, while weekend minutes and text messages are 5 cents per minute or message.

But Raney said Verizon Wireless will automatically update Plus customers’ plans to include unlimited weekend minutes. The Power plan, with its $3 per day access fee on days used, includes unlimited in-network calling, unlimited night minutes, unlimited weekend minutes, and a 2 cent per minute and text message rate.

“Core and Plus will stay more visible,” Raney said. “Power will still be there, just not as visible. In the advertising, you’ll see it’s for basic, core, plus and unlimited.”

It’s possible that Verizon Wireless is trying to attract more customers with its new prepaid rates, especially after it posted flat fourth quarter results.

Verizon’s 1.4 million net new subscribers during the last quarter were the fewest subscribers the No. 1 wireless provider has added since the second quarter of 2003.

Verizon Wireless' new prepaid packages are available today in Verizon Wireless stores and authorized service agents and will be available in major retail stores for the third week of March.

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Source: Verizon Wireless.