Virgin Mobile USA at the high end: 1,000 minutes for $100

Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. unveiled a new high-end option for customers who want to do a lot of talking without a contract.
For $100 per month, Virgin Mobile USA users will get 1,000 anytime minutes and unlimited night and weekend calling, with night off-peak calling starting at 7 p.m.
“This new offer is perfect for those who use their mobile phones most often and want the benefits of top-quality service without the long-term commitment,” said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA.
The mobile virtual network operator offers a half-dozen by-the-month payment plans, starting at $15 for 100 minutes, plus two by-the-minute plans at different price points.
By contrast, a $100-per-month service plan with Cingular Wireless L.L.C., Verizon Wireless or Sprint Nextel Corp. offers 2,000 anytime minutes, although those plans require a contract. Unlimited night and weekend calling begins at 9 p.m. at Cingular and Verizon Wireless and at 7 p.m. at Sprint Nextel. Sprint Nextel hosts Virgin Mobile USA’s service.
Interestingly, the MVNO also noted that it is maintaining its a la carte text messaging price of 5 cents per message. The nation’s three largest national operators recently raised their standalone text message rate to 15 cents per message.
Virgin Mobile USA serves more than 4.6 million customers, and ranks at No. 8 on RCR Wireless News’ “By the Numbers: Top Wireless Service Providers” list.