Shared data isn’t a new concept, it has been around for quite some time on multiple carriers from AT&T to Verizon. However, shared data plans have traditionally always been for post paid, or contracted, consumer accounts, not for pre-paid non-contract users. Today Virgin Mobile USA has announced that they are bringing that shared data option to non-contract consumers starting January 17th for roughly $30 per line.
The new offering is being labeled as “Data Done Right” and has a feel of a T-Mobile Uncarrier shake up title. Would be share users can start off at $65 a month for 2-lines with 4GB of 3G/4G LTE data access. The next line option is 3 lines at $90 with 8GB and 4 lines at $115 with 12GB. Once that cap is hit on the shared plans consumers can opt to buy more data at $10 for 1GB or $15 for 2GB. If you are a social network hound and music connoisseur there is also a $5 option that lets you use Facebook, Twitter, Pandora and other services without touching your caps at all. (again, a page right out of the T-Mobile playbook, at least on the music side of things.)
All the shared data plans give each line unlimited talk and text without additional charges. So what’s the catch? Well, the new offerings are a Wal-Mart exclusive for starters.
“At Walmart, we know our no-contract wireless customers are looking for some of the same experiences as contract wireless users – including high performing smart phones available on great plans at great prices,†said Mehrdad Akbar, vice president of Wireless, Connected Home, Wearables and Tablets, Walmart. “We are always seeking ways to innovate for our customers, which is why we’ve worked closely with Virgin Mobile to offer exclusive new plans such as data sharing.â€
The new offering will be immediately available on updated version of the HTC Desire 510, LG Tribute and LG Volt as well as making its way to the new Samsung Galaxy Core Prime that will be hitting shelves January 17th too. The Core Prime is a 4.5-inch Android 4.4 toting device with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor and 5MP camera with a price tag of $129.88. If you don’t own one of the mentioned devices then you will need to either buy a new device or wait until your current device is supported. Virgin Mobile says more will be added in by the end of February.
Full press release below:
Virgin Mobile USA to Offer Industry’s First No-Contract Data Sharing Plans Only at Walmart
New plans offer 4G LTE multi-line data sharing for as low as $30/line for three lines
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Virgin Mobile USA announced today the launch of the industry’s first no-contract data sharing plans, available exclusively at Walmart.
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 17, the new plans are available on four specific 4G LTE1 smartphones pre-loaded with the Virgin Mobile data-sharing application, which provides data buy-ups and international add-ons with one touch, directly from the device. Every multi-line plan will also come with a free Mobile Hotspot feature, making it even easier to share data across Wi-Fi enabled devices.
“At Virgin Mobile we are committed to offering prepaid customers innovative new wireless options,†said Angela Rittgers, vice president-Sprint Prepaid. “We were the first prepaid carrier to offer texting keyboards and texting-only plans, first to help customers pay less for talk they weren’t using, the first to feature a totally customized plan, and now the first data sharing plans. The new data sharing plans bring some of the most aggressive shared-line plans ever launched to Walmart.â€
Virgin Mobile’s Data Done Right data share plans feature:
- Preloaded Virgin Mobile app that enables customers to manage data sharing directly from their device
- No additional monthly line fees
- One-touch data buy-up options starting at just $10/month for 1GB
- Popular social media and music streaming apps without data charges, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pandora – unlimited usage without counting against the customer’s data allotment for just $5 per month2
Flexible international plan options- Parental control features with device curfew and app restrictions
“At Walmart, we know our no-contract wireless customers are looking for some of the same experiences as contract wireless users – including high performing smart phones available on great plans at great prices,†said Mehrdad Akbar, vice president of Wireless, Connected Home, Wearables and Tablets, Walmart. “We are always seeking ways to innovate for our customers, which is why we’ve worked closely with Virgin Mobile to offer exclusive new plans such as data sharing.â€
Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Plans starting as low as $30 per line
Options: $65/month (2 lines) | $90/month (3 lines) | $115/month (4 lines)
Talk: Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited
Text: Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited
Data:Â 4GB 3G/4G LTE | 8GB 3G/4G LTE | 12GB 3G/4G LTEIn addition to the new data plans, Virgin Mobile is also delivering a new set of single-line, unlimited plans to Walmart customers:
Options: $35/month | $45/month
Talk: 300 minutes | Unlimited
Text: Unlimited | Unlimited
Data: Unlimited (2.5GB high-speed data) | Unlimited (2.5GB high-speed data)Virgin Mobile Unlimited and Data Share will be immediately available on updated editions of the HTC Desire® 510 [$99.88], LG Tribute™ [$79.88] and LG Volt™ [$149.88]. Data Share service will also make its debut on the Samsung Galaxy Core Prime™ [$129.88]4 , also available starting Jan. 17. The Galaxy Core Prime features a 4.5-inch display, 1.2GHz quad core processor, Android 4.4 KitKat® and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera.
More devices are expected to be introduced by the end of February.
A $20 starter kit is required to activate each new line of service and includes two months of unlimited music streaming without counting against the customer’s data allotment5.
For more information, please visit this Advance Info page today and as of Saturday, visit http://www.virginmobileusa.com/datashare.
