Verizon Wireless expands prepaid offering: Music, navigation now on tap

Verizon Wireless tweaked its prepaid calling plans to add access to its music, navigation and other data services starting tomorrow.
The carrier will offer three varieties of its INpulse plans. The INpulse Core plan looks much like a continuation of Verizon Wireless’ basic prepaid offer to this point: $1 per day access fee, unlimited on-network calling, and a 10 cent per minute charge for talk time or a text message. The company expands its offer with INpulse Plus, which for a $2 per day access fee includes unlimited in-network calling, unlimited night-time minutes and per-minute calling and SMS rates of 5 cents. The INpulse Power plan runs $3 per day and includes the unlimited night and in-network calling and even cheaper per-minute and SMS costs: just 2 cents.
Access fees are charged only on days when the customer uses the phone. The carrier said that the new plans will be available at Verizon Wireless stores, Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and other retail locations beginning Nov. 1.
“The changes in our INpulse prepay service are in response to customers who want to enjoy the features and benefits of Verizon Wireless service without making a long-term commitment,” said Jeff Dietel, VP of marketing for Verizon Wireless.
Customers who start an INpulse account with a minimum of $15 can purchase any handset in the carrier’s lineup-including those with access to the carrier’s over-the-air music download service, games and other applications including VZ Navigator-for the same price as customers who sign a one-year service agreement. Pay-as-you-go customers also can now keep their prepaid phone number when they switch plans.
AT&T Mobility also made changes to its prepaid offer earlier this year, expanding the access to data services.