Don’t forget that Virgin Mobile starts offering unlimited voice services tomorrow - July 1, 2008. Since Virgin Mobile is a prepaid carrier - there are no contracts and no activation fees. Everything is on a month to month basis. Roaming is included in the plan. In most areas Virgin uses the Sprint network to route phone calls. If you want unlimited text messaging you can add that on for another $10 per month. This is the perfect plan for anyone sick of two year phone contracts and early termination fees!

Virgin Mobile Totally Unlimited

According to a June 24, 2008 article in the Financial Times, struggling prepaid provider Helio is set to be acquired by struggling prepaid provider Virgin Mobile USA. Helio is known for their hip youth oriented phones and prepaid service featuring an unlimited plan that includes voice, text and EVDO data for $99. According to the Financial Times, Helio claims slightly under 200,000 subscribers while Virgin Mobile is just over 5 million. Virgin Mobile also rolled out an unlimited prepaid plan for $79 which we reported yesterday. Both services primarily use the Sprint cellular network to route their calls.

Link: Virgin and SK in US mobile link-up
Link: Virgin Mobile USA to buy SK Telecom’s US Unit

Looks like the long awaited Samsung Slash (the first Samsung to appear on Virgin Mobile) is hitting the retail stores. One Howardforum member scored this $80 phone as it arrived at the local Radio Shack. For the price, this seems like a great entry level phone - especially given that it’s sans contract on a prepaid Virgin Mobile pay as you go plan. It packs a 500 entry address book, VGA camera, two email addresses, two instant message account names, photo caller ID, personalized ringtones, speakerphone, bluetooth. Make no mistake - this isn’t a top of the line stunner. As inexpensive phones go - this one looks as if your kids might actually WANT to use it. And if they want to use it - maybe they won’t loose it / break it within a week? Seems like a no brainer.

Link: CNET Reviews Samsung Slash