Assurance Wireless to allow voice, text add-on packages

Sprint Nextel Corp.’s (S Assurance Wireless division is expanding the federally funded service to allow customers to purchase additional calling minutes and features.
The new offering will allow customers to add 250 voice calling minutes per month for $5 or 750 voice calling minutes and 1,000 text messages for $20 per month. The plan comes standard with 250 voice calling minutes and allows customers to add more minutes at 10-cent-per-minute for domestic calls, 10 cents per text message e-mail or instant messages sent or received, and international calling.
The Assurance Wireless service includes a free mobile device and is eligible for people participating in Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA/TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or the National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program.
Assurance Wireless is currently available in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, with more states expected to be added each month.
Sprint Nextel picked up the Assurance service when it acquired Virgin Mobile USA late last year.