Things aren’t going all that well for our favorite IPO-scandal monger in the States. Virgin Mobile USA announced disappointing subscriber growth in Q1 2008 and cut its 2008 earnings forecast by 40%, resulting in a drop in Virgin’s share prices. So, in an effort to boost revenues, and hopefully profits, in other markets, Virgin Mobile’s offering a new kind of pre-paid plan in the UK.
Virgin Mobile UK has announced “The Liberty SIM” pre-paid, SIM-only calling plan. The new offering from Virgin Mobile is set to redefine the pre-paid market with almost pre-paid flexibility on post-paid rates. UK customers that want to use an existing GSM phone and only need a pre-paid SIM card can opt for “The Liberty SIM” plan.
Without the need to subsidize a handset at the point of sale, Virgin Mobile UK can offer cheaper wireless rates without the price of the handset built in to monthly rates. Customers can get 300 wireless minutes and 300 SMS text messages for 15GBP. Conversely, customers can choose to go with 150 wireless minutes and 1000 SMS text messages for the same 15GBP. And, there’s a mere 30-day cancellation policy that offers near pre-paid flexibility.
Liberty SIM customers that decide to upgrade to a new phone can take advantage of the Liberty SIM upgrade allowance. For every 100GBP that the customer spends, they earn 10GBP towards the purchase of a new Virgin Mobile handset – the only UK network to offer such an upgrade plan.
Way to go, Virgin Mobile. This new Liberty SIM plan is just the compromise between pre-paid plans and post-paid prices that the industry needed. Why help pay for a handset you don’t want/need if you only need a pre-paid SIM? And, there’s no reason to help subsidize other customers’ handsets either.
Virgin Mobile
[Via: Mobility Site]