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April 9, 2009 11:45 AM PDT

Virgin Mobile offers new plan to help ease your wallet

by Nicole Lee
(Credit: Virgin Mobile)

Virgin Mobile announced a new $49.99 unlimited prepaid calling plan today, along with a special program to help customers who become unemployed. The program, called the "Pink Slip Protection plan," will waive up to three months of monthly charges if a customer becomes unemployed.

The Pink Slip Protection plan will only go into effect at least two months into a monthly plan, and once he or she becomes eligible for state unemployment benefits. There's currently an open enrollment period through June 30. You can enroll via Virgin Mobile's Web site starting April 15.

If you'd rather not go for the $49.99 unlimited route, Virgin Mobile also offers monthly prepaid plans with unlimited 7 p.m. nights and weekend minutes for $39.99, and all of them can be bundled with messaging or mobile Web for $5 each. You can add unlimited messaging for $10 a month. For those who prefer to text over making calls, Virgin Mobile also offers a "Texting Delight" plan, which offers 1,000 messages for $14.99 or unlimited text for $19.99. That way, frequent texters can choose to keep only a few minutes for occasional use.

The Pink Slip Protection plan applies to all of the monthly prepaid plans, including the Texter's Delight. Virgin Mobile is still keeping its pay-as-you-go plans for those who prefer not to go the monthly plan route.

Nicole Lee is an associate editor for CNET, covering cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, and all things mobile. She's also pretty geeky--she likes World of Warcraft, comic books, and shiny gadgets. E-mail Nicole.
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by Chapmaniac April 9, 2009 1:21 PM PDT
I want a cheap data plan and I want it now.
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by Dalmatian28 April 9, 2009 2:13 PM PDT
This may not be such a big deal if you consider the fact that Boost and Metro PCS are offering something similar. What is a big deal is the fact that these type of small providers are putting pressure on the big guys to lower their prices so customers get better deal once they start shopping for their new plan. I have used Virgin as a backup phone for the one that I get at work and the funny thing was that Verizon phone that was provided by employer sometimes didn't have connection in some basements and high-rises and than I would pull out the Virgin Mobile phone in that same location and make the call! I love this small players...they seem to be more about the customer than shareholder!
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by bobl987 April 9, 2009 2:16 PM PDT
If you were using Helio before Virgin bought that company, you DON'T GET the $49.99 plan. You HAVE TO PAY $99.99 for unlimited minutes.

This is a very misleading press release.
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by raucuspc April 9, 2009 3:02 PM PDT
Unlike the Boost $50 plan, it doesn't include text or data. Text costs another $10 and data more with no unlimited option. I'm sticking with Boost.
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by wewokkie April 9, 2009 5:34 PM PDT
Boost has a better plan.
I am going to sign up with Boost this month as soon as my Verizon service ends.
Boost offers unlimited Voice, unlimited Texting, unlimited Web, and unlimited Walkie-Talkie for 50 dollars.
For one dollar a day Boost offers unlimited texting, unlimited nights and weekends and unlimited mobile to mobile (Boost, Nextel and Sprint)
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by gestaltent April 10, 2009 12:39 AM PDT
Apples, oranges and more. Each plan has strengths and weaknesses. Virgin Mobile may be only going 49.99 for unlimited talk, but their phones can start as low as $9.99 each brand new from easy to access outlets like Radio Shack, Best Buy and Walmart. Boost Unlimited Walkie talkie phones are limited in selection at this time but have sims which can be used in most Nextel phones. Metro PCS and Leap have prices that beat both of these National carriers and can even flash/unlock select phones from other providers over to their networks (with limitations) but don't have quite the coverage of the nationals. T-mobile is offering a plan similar to Virgin but only to its postpaid long time customers. If there was one company that had it all: price, phone selection, customer service, network coverage, that would be the only phone company in business but that isn't the case thank God so we have choices. The bottom line is no matter what, the consumer for once , in the wireless industry is coming out the winner. That's a good thing for all of us.
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by LovingMomma July 19, 2009 5:13 PM PDT
I've been a Virgin Mobile user for years. I am a low income college student. I heard that Virgin is coming out with a reduced fee for the unemployed plan. FOR THE UNEMPLOYED. Does that mean that because I have a job (no matter how much I need the reduced fee), I don't qualify for this plan? Real nice, Virgin!
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by JOHNcooke987 July 26, 2009 4:33 PM PDT
So I have used Virgin for over 3 years, (since like my first year in college), and ive been reading about this plan for people who lost their jobs or are on welfare. The only thing is, I hear that not everyone is eligible for this plan. Its only if you have low income or something, but you have to be on welfare. What I want to know is why I DON'T QUALIFY!?! I have very little income from a part-time that I have, but I can barely survive off of that. A cheaper cell phone plan would definitely help me alleviate some of my financial woes. What's the deal Virgin? Can we expect some kind of plan to help your loyal customers who are also students and have low income? Or are you guys turning into some kind of welfare phone plan company that only helps the 'unemployed'?
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