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Overview

World famous for its "Can you hear me now?" ad campaign, Verizon Wireless boasts itself as the most reliable wireless network in the nation. Verizon Wireless is also joining the leagues of national  providers offering prepaid services. 

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ.

Pros: The Verizon prepaid plans allow you to pick the best option for your calling habits. They offer a number of prepaid packages, including one with unlimited minutes and penny text messages. They also have one of the largest calling networks in the country.

Cons: There is a daily access charge with daily plans, which does not sit well with many people. It can make the service exceedingly expensive, even though the daily fee is only charged on days you use the phone.

Detailed Provider Information

Plans: VVerizon Wireless offers monthly and daily prepaid plans. The first daily plan is a basic rate plan, costing 25 cents per minute. The second one costs 99 cents per day and provides calls at 10 cents to minute. It also has unlimited mobile to mobile calling. The $1.99 daily plan includes unlimited minutes. Verizon offers a 50 dollar monthly plan that includes unlimited minutes, messages, and mobile web. This does not include smartphones. For smartphones Verizon offers 3G monthly plans: 450 minutes for $44.99 per month, 900 minutes for $64.99 per month, and unlimited minutes for $74.99 per month.


Customer Service: Customer service can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via email, a toll free number and from your Verizon prepaid cell phone without incurring airtime charges.


Credit Check: None


Contract: None


Payment Options: Verizon pay as you go service allows you to pay via credit card or debit card auto pay, as well as allowing you to pay via credit card or debit card on their website. Additionally, you can make payments by phone or in person at Verizon Wireless stores or kiosks.


Text and Picture Messaging:The basic text messaging rate for the daily plan is 20 cents per text and 25 cents per MMS, both sent and received. The 99 cents daily plan includes messaging for 10 cents per text and 25 cents per MMS. The $1.99 plan offers text messages for 2 cents each and MMS for 25 cents. The daily plans also have the option of purchasing a plan, 10 dollars for 250 messages plus unlimited mobile to mobile, or 20 dollars for unlimited messages. The pay as you go rate for the 3G plans is 20 cents per text message, but an unlimited plan is available for 20 dollars.


Data Plans: The 50 unlimited plan includes unlimited mobile web. The daily plans allow pay as you go data access for 99 cents per day. The 3G monthly plans offer smartphone data for 30 dollars per month. 


Downloadables: Verizon offers every type of downloable you can imagine. Ringtones, music, wallpaper, IM, email, web, ringback, voice guided GPS navigator, games, applications, vcast (which allows you to watch streaming videos and TV) and more. Prices vary based on service and phone. Downloads are subject to a 99 cent download fee, which is assessed for the first download in any 24-hour period.


International Calling: Verizon allows international calling. Puerto Rico is not considered an international call. Verizon charges normal airtime rates for calls to Puerto Rico. International calling rates start at 29 cents per minute in additional to normal airtime charges. You'll need to check with customer service to get the rates of the country you plan to call prior to making international calls.


Roaming Charges: Calls placed while roaming are charged an additional 69 cents per minute on top of regular airtime.


Calling Features: Verizon includes 3-way calling, call forwarding, caller ID, and call waiting with all prepaid plans.


Activation Fee: There is an activation fee of up to 25 dollars to get started with service.


Nationwide Long Distance: Verizon treats nationwide long distance calls as they do regular calls. There are no additional charges for making long distance calls to the United States or Puerto Rico above normal airtime charges.


411 Calls: Directory assistance calls are charged a fee of $1.49 per call in addition to normal airtime charges.


Earliest Minute Expiration: Minutes expire based on the denomination you purchase them in; $15 to $29.99 expires in 30 days, $30 to $74.99 expires in 60 days, $75 to $99.99 expires in 90 days, $100 and above expires in 365 days. If you refill your minutes before they expire and your existing balance will be carried forward.


911 Calls: Yes


Phones: Verizon offers phones in a wide range of pricing and features. Feature phones are available for both monthly and daily plans, while smartphones, including BlackBerry devices, are available on the prepaid monthly plans.


Some Available Cell Models:

Samsung Intensity ii (shown)
Samsung Haven
LG Cosmos
LG Accolade
Pantech Jest


Coverage Map: Verizon Wireless Prepaid Coverage Map


Activation Guide:
Verizon Wireless prepaid activation guide


Latest News:
News about Verizon Wireless Prepaid

Shop for deals on Verizon Wireless Prepaid phones and plans

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