Verizon Wireless is rolling out a new prepaid broadband option and it is going to be about double the cost of what the competition is offering.
We’re a little late on this one, as PhoneScoop said these have been available since the beginning of August but Verizon’s prepaid broadband now tops out at 5 GB of mobile data over the span of a month for about $80 without a contract. Verizon also offers 100 MB for $15 a day, 1 GB for $50 a month, or 300 MB for $30 a week.
The new prepaid broadband option seems incredibly pricey compared to some of the competitors. We were the first ones to reveal that Virgin Mobile would change its Broadband2Go prepaid broadband plans to include a monthly unlimited option for $40 a month. The company has since confirmed this but some glitches have hindered the launch, which was supposed to happen earlier this week.
Still, once the new rates for Virgin Mobile’s prepaid broadband go into effect, it will blow Verizon out of the water. We’re not quite sure if this will truly be unlimited but, at the very least, it will be 5 GB for half the price of Big Red’s plans. You don’t have to worry about coverage difference that much either, as Virgin Mobile uses Sprint’s 3G network for its prepaid broadband.
With the Virgin Mobile plans, you will have to purchase your data-providing devices at full price, without a subsidy. This includes a 3G USB data card and a Novatel MiFi and the prices are in the $100 and $150 range. I suppose if you already have a 3G data device on Verizon, the new plans could make sense if you just need some short-term data loving without a long-term commitment.
So, what do you readers think of these plans? We’d also love to hear about your mobile data experiences – which providers have given you the most reliable coverage and fastest speeds? Let us know what you have to say in the comments.
[Via Verizon, hat tip to PhoneScoop]