Watch out for rising text prices at Virgin Mobile

It looks like a la carte text messaging is up across the board. It wasn’t long ago that we learned of AT&T’s rate hike to 20 cents, which was followed closely by T-Mobile’s. We also learned recently that carriers are greatly overcharging for single messages, with the presumption that they’re trying to guarantee revenue in the form of message bundles. As Ian points out, we’re about to see the same from Virgin Mobile. Their rates are rumored to be on the uptick to 15 cents each. Bummer.

As with the T-Mobile plan, there might be a grandfather clause which will allow current users to keep the 10 cent a la carte rate for a bit longer. That won’t be forever, though. Soon light texters will have to feel the burden of an extra nickel per message sent and received. This might cause more people to sign up for Virgin’s 30 message plan, which costs $2 per month.

Is this going to keep anyone from using Virgin Mobile? I always wonder what the negative side of a price increase is for the carrier. Yes, they’ll generate more revenue per text, plus gain revenue via bundles, but what will they lose not only in current subscriber numbers, but in potential subscribers? That we’ll probably never know.

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2 Responses

1. Melissa Earp Says
   

   It’s not a rumor, they sent all their customers a text message saying they’re going to raise the price on Febuary 15th.

   
   Posted on January 21st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
2. star Says
   

   Question…Can a virgin mobile phone text from Australia to a Alltel mobile phone in the USA?!?!

   Seems can txt usa to australia but not the other way around, which seems strange.

   Any ideas?!?!

   
   Posted on March 10th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

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