On the heels of reports that Virgin Mobile USA is shuttering its postpaid Helio business, the carrier is promoting new prepaid data plans. According to a press release, Virgin Mobile will now offer a $60 5GB plan. Previously, the carrier's $60 prepaid plan only allowed for 1GB of data usage, and 5GB was only available with a contract.
"We introduced prepaid mobile broadband for students, families on the go, freelancers – anyone who needed wireless Internet access. Now, these offers expand the value of the service to those looking to cut the cord and replace their at-home Internet service provider with a portable and more affordable option," said Neil Lindsay, chief marketing officer at Virgin Mobile USA, in a statement.
Virgin Mobile arrived at the new plans after reviewing the results of a recent survey of Broadband2Go customers. According to the survey, customers of the service are using their mobile broadband cards frequently, with about 30 percent using the Broadband2Go card more than four times a week. Approximately 16 percent of customers also said they purchased the Broadband2Go card for at-home Internet connection rather than interim out-of-home use. The survey concluded that Virgin Mobile's frequent-use broadband customers wanted more data available and, overall, 47 percent of customers asked that additional data be added to the existing plans.
The new plans will be promoted via a campaign using print, online and out-of-home advertising including coffee cup sleeves that say "Take It To Go... the Internet That Is" in more than 30 airports nationwide.
Operating on the Sprint network and developed in conjunction with Novatel Wireless, the MC760 Broadband2Go device is available at Best Buy and RadioShack and online at BestBuy.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and VirginMobileUSA.com for $99.99.