Virgin Mobile USA lowers entry point for mobile data

For those finding Virgin Mobile USA Inc.’s current unlimited mobile data plan priced at $40 per month too steep, the Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) division has unveiled a $20 plan that includes 1 gigabyte of data transmission.
The new offering is now available exclusively through Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s retail channels and on the walmart.com website, which has become the de facto launching place for virtually all new prepaid rate plans from wireless carriers.
The offering is compatible with either the Novatel Wireless Inc. MiFi 2200 mobile hot spot or the Ovation MC760 USB wireless modem. Payment for the service can be handled online, via a Virgin Mobile USA Top-Up card, debit or credit card.
The new plan undercuts competing “entry-level” prepaid offerings from rivals and continues to position Virgin Mobile USA aggressively in the prepaid data market. Leap Wireless International Inc.’s Cricket brand offers 2.5 GB of data transmission per month for $40; while Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA Inc. all charge $50 per month for 1 GB of data transmission without a contract.
Virgin Mobile USA earlier this year re-launched itself as a mobile data-focused provider inside of Sprint Nextel’s extensive prepaid group.