TracFone, a prepaid mobile virtual network operator in the United States who peddles to drug dealers and illegal immigrants, just launched a new sub brand called “StraightTalk.” Prepaid never really was big in America, while in Europe and Asia it is the way a majority of users consume, but with the economy in a nose dive, and The New York Times stating today that unemployment has hit the highest levels in 26 years at 9.5%, people will want to control their spending.
For $45 per month, with no contract, you get unlimited voice, unlimited SMS, unlimited 411 and 30 MB of data. That is what I call a steal. If it still isn’t cheap enough for you, you can opt for the $30/month plan which provides 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, 30 MB of data, and unlimited 411.
This isn’t prepaid how I’ve grown to know and love it in Europe. In many of the countries I’ve been to and picked up prepaid SIM cards, you load the card with credit and then when you reach closer and closer to zero remaining credit, you top up your SIM card. With StraightTalk you pay a monthly fee, regardless if you use your mobile phone or not. That $45 will get you unlimited voice and SMS for 30 days, after that you have to pay another $45. In Finland if I go on vacation in a cottage and don’t touch my phone except to send a few text messages, I pay for those few text messages and that’s it. If I was on StraightTalk, I just wasted $45.
There will be taxes and other fees, so who knows how high that $45 will really become, and you can only choose from a Motorola W385, Motorola RAZR V3A or LG200, but still, this is crazy cheap for America in terms of rates per month.
[Via: Phone Scoop, hat tip to @caaarlo]