It looks pretty legitimate actually. So with the new plans, it seems that everything is raised by $10, except the totally unlimited plan (dropped by $5). Thing is, there is no additional fee for using a BB (as there is now). The main people who benefit are the BB users .. not fair!
I am very disappointed. There is no point for me to use Virgin Mobile if they increase the prices.
I actually was contemplating switching from my iPhone (AT&T) to VM, but my iPhone is only $40 and I get more minutes (both because I'm on a family plan) With taxes, VM is roughly the same .
Found something else http://www.hyperlinkusa.com/admin/ClientDocuments/TheTimes_Indirect_English_July%202011.pdf
Looks like this really is true! It's in VMs monthly catalogue
Last edited by insertusername; July 6th, 2011 at 02:29 AM.
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Hi,
I emailed VM back in May about possible price increases and they made it sound like that current customers would be grandfathered in and stay at the current Beyond Talk plan pricing. Maybe not, I am not sure, but that is what they told me in their email response. I guess we will see.
I am on the 40 dollar plan, actual pay 39.60 a month 5 dollars extra will not break me in my opinion the 25 dollar no contract unlimited text and data was doomed from the start,add a unlocked Android phone to the mix and you get exploits to the Data abusers to take full advantage of,i am pleased with the service enough to keep it,and i know the limitations of what this service can do and the Android Phones,it is a mobile device it will not or ever will replace a Desktop or Laptop,i cannot believe anyone crying over this price and even the prices of the phones would go out and buy a android tablet,when for the same price you could buy a much more powerful laptop, is over my head.
Verizon just nixed their "all you can eat" bandwidth plan leaving just Sprint as the big carrier with an "all you can eat" bandwidth plan. It certainly is a competitive advantage at this point for Sprint (VM), but one has to wonder how long they'll run with it before greed takes over. At $35 I will see what other options I have, if any.
I think that was an "IF/WHEN" scenerio . . . It was just a poll.
Nothing was stated that it WAS going up.
Everyone's getting their feathers ruffled already . . . chill.
Sorry, it is a fact, not a scenario. The PDF link is straight from Virgin.
They are raising the lowest plan by 40%.
The only remaining question is if those of us on the $25 plan will be allowed to continue or if we will have to take that 40% shafting...
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but even when the plans go up; here are some things to consider:
the unlimited went down, and probably is still better than boost because of the triumph..
plus there is no more $10 fee for blackberry's,
the paylow plan got better: $30 for 1500 mins & 1500 texts, plus 30MB of data,
and most of the paylo phones you can now use on the beyond talk plan...
i think VM is trying their best to compete with cricket, boost, and t-mobile prepaid (with their new $50 unlimited plans..) we may not like it but plans dont stay around forever... and just think with raises like these we can expect better customer service =]
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i think the only thing i wish they did was add more minutes to the $35 and $45 plans since it went up by $5, wish we could get like 100 more minutes or something like that...
i also highly doubt that people are going to drop VM, its still one of the best prepaid plans out on the market right now
It looks pretty legitimate actually. So with the new plans, it seems that everything is raised by $10, except the totally unlimited plan (dropped by $5). Thing is, there is no additional fee for using a BB (as there is now). The main people who benefit are the BB users .. not fair!
I am very disappointed. There is no point for me to use Virgin Mobile if they increase the prices.
I actually was contemplating switching from my iPhone (AT&T) to VM, but my iPhone is only $40 and I get more minutes (both because I'm on a family plan) With taxes, VM is roughly the same .
Found something else http://www.hyperlinkusa.com/admin/ClientDocuments/TheTimes_Indirect_English_July%202011.pdf
Looks like this really is true! It's in VMs monthly catalogue
hey i tipped this for you! thanks for sharing this info!! =]
Got a response from VM today about price increases. I was basically told that you would be grandfathered in if they ever do raise plan prices. However, for example, if you have the 25.00 month plan and they increase prices you will be fine but if 300 minutes is no longer enough and you need 1200 talk minutes, you will have to pay the new price for the 1200 minute plan. So if you have a monthly autopay plan and prices go up you will be good but if you have to change plans because you need more minutes or what not then you will pay new price. No indication that plan prices are going to change though. Hope this helps.
This was what VM told me back in April. So we shall see
Last edited by jp3515; July 6th, 2011 at 11:34 AM.
Reason: Forgot to mention something
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@Androidkitty Thanks for the tip! Pretty awesome since I'm new here And I agree about VM still being a good deal.
@jp3515 I have a feeling that this is what is probably going to happen. Most carriers only apply the updated prices when you change your rate plan (at least in the postpaid market because if the carrier changes your post paid contract without your consent, you have the right to break the contract with no fees. That's why carriers just let you grandfather into the plan).
Since VM is not postpaid, they don't really have anything to lose but I still can't imagine them doing this. It would cause a lot of bad publicity.
In simple words: Unless you jump plans, you can keep what you currently have.
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Also,
I did email VM again today about these possible price increases and I am waiting for a response from them, which I will share when I hear something.
They've had the $25 plan for well over a year, so hardly a bait and switch. More like trying to recoup costs from dbags who tether and use the most bandwidth. Even at 35 it's still damn cheap for unlimited data.
No one is shafting you; don't like it, switch. But bitching about an increase is infantile.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insertusername
@Androidkitty Thanks for the tip! Pretty awesome since I'm new here And I agree about VM still being a good deal.
@jp3515 I have a feeling that this is what is probably going to happen. Most carriers only apply the updated prices when you change your rate plan (at least in the postpaid market because if the carrier changes your post paid contract without your consent, you have the right to break the contract with no fees. That's why carriers just let you grandfather into the plan).
Since VM is not postpaid, they don't really have anything to lose but I still can't imagine them doing this. It would cause a lot of bad publicity.
In simple words: Unless you jump plans, you can keep what you currently have.
u are very welcome! you provided awesome info. you deserve a tip! good job! =]
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This reminds me of greedy decisions GM executives made in the past, wring as much money out of their loyal customers as possible, without providing a quality product. Data outages/usage most likely are because of a few percentage of customers who use more than their share, a data cap 1/2 GB throttle limit would solve that problem, while keeping the product quality & price affordable. Instead, VM decides to raise prices without addressing the real problem. Short-term thinking, by some fresh MBAs I'm sure.
Contacted virgin help and they say there is no pl plans for an increase that it is all a rumor
FWIW, I got a response back from VM earlier and they told me as well, that there are no plans for any rate increases to the monthly plans. Monthly plans will remain the same as they are right now. Stay tuned....
If this is true, the $25-35 jump is a response to all of those people who don't have much use for the phone, but are loving the unlimited data. They aren't going to increase the minutes on the plan, in order to entice people to Jump to $45 or $55.
I start with the $25, but found given my phone usage, the $40 was more economical. I am debating if I will stick around. My intercept is somewhat crappy, and depending on how much the Triumph costs, I might buy it or look to jump ship.
I like Boost's Shrinkage, and if after six months, I can get the fully unlimited for $45 - for $30 bucks (6mos * $5) it might be worth it.
So under what circumstances exactly would one be "grandfathered in"? If I were to start using VMobile today, would I be able to continue on the $25 plan indefinitely?
Contacted virgin help and they say there is no pl plans for an increase that it is all a rumor
Quote:
Originally Posted by jp3515
FWIW, I got a response back from VM earlier and they told me as well, that there are no plans for any rate increases to the monthly plans. Monthly plans will remain the same as they are right now. Stay tuned....
Er, fellas, did you read the document found by insertusername? It's Sprint's internal "The Times" newletter for July. Look at page 7 under the heading "COMING SOON: Virgin Mobile Voice Offer Refresh". It clearly shows the price changes. So unless it's an exceptionally good fake, price increases (and one decrease) are real and are coming this month.
It's normal for a carrier's customer service people to deny changes that aren't public yet so I'm not surprised they told you it's a rumor.
So the only question not answered yet is if those of us already on a plan will be grandfathered in. That's the question to ask them after you tell them you've seen their internal "Times" newsletter and already know about the changes.
This poll needs more options. Will I stick with VM and pay the $35? Probably, at least for now until I have the time and energy to really look into what else is out there, and doing so is pretty darn low on my list of priorities ATM. Am I "happy" to do it? Not particularly.
And seriously, people who have contacted VM- you really think they haven't given all the reps a special training session on staying completely mum about this (i.e. lying)?
Hi,
I emailed VM back in May about possible price increases and they made it sound like that current customers would be grandfathered in and stay at the current Beyond Talk plan pricing. Maybe not, I am not sure, but that is what they told me in their email response. I guess we will see.
I have a Virgin Mobile Mifi 2200 and when they went up on there unlimited plan from 40 to 45 my plan stayed at 40 so I still think there is a chance that my 25 dollar plan will not go up but who knows what will happen. People who tether are the ones who should have the price increase.
Hopefully VM and Sprint read these forums, and may have second thoughts if they think they'll lose 50% of their customers. Keep voting! Then again if grandfathering happens, a LOT more will stick with it (especially if service improves).
$35 a month is still cheap for a phone and unlimited internet connection plus I can tether my phone to my laptop and desktop for unlimited internet saves me a lot of money every month.
$35 a month is still cheap for a phone and unlimited internet connection plus I can tether my phone to my laptop and desktop for unlimited internet saves me a lot of money every month.
And that's why they're increasing prices because people like you tether.
Last edited by Roze; July 8th, 2011 at 02:56 PM.
Reason: took out personal attack
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And that's why they're increasing prices because people like you tether.
Well I'm sure he'll enjoy his 1xRTT speeds once he hits 5GB
I've used 2.09GB of data on my laptop and I restarted 1 day and 11 hours ago. Not sure how anyone could survive on 5GB of data
Last edited by Roze; July 8th, 2011 at 02:58 PM.
Reason: edit quote
Well I'm sure he'll enjoy his 1xRTT speeds once he hits 5GB
I've used 2.09GB of data on my laptop and I restarted 1 day and 11 hours ago. Not sure how anyone could survive on 5GB of data
You are wrong I downloaded 17 gigs last month and experienced no throttling at all.
Yeah, I routinely pass 7 GB/month and experience no throttling.
And NO, Scott, I do not tether.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Jesus
You are wrong I downloaded 17 gigs last month and experienced no throttling at all.
Oops, didn't realise that VM only throttled their MiFi, not the actual phones. That's nice.
But seriously though, there's more than likely a fair usage policy (as with most, if not all, unlimited data plans).
I don't have VM but my friend did a speed test on his Optimus V and got around 500kpbs down I'm not sure if I could live with that kind of speed, haha.
Last edited by insertusername; July 8th, 2011 at 04:45 PM.
I don't have VM but my friend did a speed test on his Optimus V and got around 500kpbs down
Egad...I presume that is kilobits not kilobytes? 500 Kilobytes per second would be awesome, but...that's rather awful, hehe. Aw well...for $25 a month, I could deal with that.
Agreed, I really think for $35 they should make it at least 400-600 more minutes. They could leave the other one at 1200 minutes, I think that's a fair amount of minutes for the price, but if they are going to raise the $25 plan add another 100 minutes at the very least.
And that's why they're increasing prices because people like you tether.
I think so too. People are greedy and they abuse their privileges and it makes it bad for the rest of us. I tether my phone when I'm out with my laptop and I need to check email, do light web surfing, etc. Not downloading gigs of media like some greedy cheap bastard.
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I just watched a commercial on TV for Virgin Mobile and their $25 / month plan BUT the small print at the bottom said "Prices good through 7/9/11". It looks like a change will happen 7/10.
Yesterday I got an email from Virgin asking about my data usage and they asked if I was using wifi hotspot or tethering my phone.
I replied with I have no idea what that is but I listen to Pandora about 9-10 hours a day and sometimes sleep with Pandora running with my headphones on.
Their reply was oh ok but did not explain what wifi hotspot was or tethering, So I emailed them back and asked what it was and got no response.
So the moral to the story is if you are questioned about data usage play dumb.
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Agreed, I really think for $35 they should make it at least 400-600 more minutes. They could leave the other one at 1200 minutes, I think that's a fair amount of minutes for the price, but if they are going to raise the $25 plan add another 100 minutes at the very least.
I think they should do at least 450 minutes. That's where Verizon's and AT&T's voice plans start; it would be excellent competition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by micahdiablo
Personally I don't use my phone for anything but texting and data.
T-Mobile Verizon and att prepaid are not economical.
Boost has the best prepaid plans but their phone selection is horrible.
Cricket and metro are regional carriers.
So vm still is the best option
Agreed. I have a feeling that most people don't know about Virgin Mobile and many that know about it don't realize that it works on Sprint's 3G's network. I only found out a couple months back when I saw an ad. They should make this more visible. I know people who are paying more money on Metro-PCS for garbage coverage. They could be paying much less with mediocre coverage backed by Sprint.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Jesus
Yesterday I got an email from Virgin asking about my data usage and they asked if I was using wifi hotspot or tethering my phone.
I replied with I have no idea what that is but I listen to Pandora about 9-10 hours a day and sometimes sleep with Pandora running with my headphones on.
Their reply was oh ok but did not explain what wifi hotspot was or tethering, So I emailed them back and asked what it was and got no response.
So the moral to the story is if you are questioned about data usage play dumb.
Aren't you the guy that used 17GB in a month? Hey, that is you.
I hope VM does something about this to you. You want to tether? Fine, but be reasonable. Even with Pandora playing for what you told them, you shouldn't be near 17GB.
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I think they should do at least 450 minutes. That's where Verizon's and AT&T's voice plans start; it would be excellent competition.
Agreed. I have a feeling that most people don't know about Virgin Mobile and many that know about it don't realize that it works on Sprint's 3G's network. I only found out a couple months back when I saw an ad. They should make this more visible. I know people who are paying more money on Metro-PCS for garbage coverage. They could be paying much less with mediocre coverage backed by Sprint.
Aren't you the guy that used 17GB in a month? Hey, that is you.
I hope VM does something about this to you. You want to tether? Fine, but be reasonable. Even with Pandora playing for what you told them, you shouldn't be near 17GB.
Run 3g watchdog and run Pandora on high quality all day and you will be shocked on how much data it uses.
[...]Even with Pandora playing for what you told them, you shouldn't be near 17GB.
Wouldn't be hard. I'm using 1/2 GB a day streaming 128 kbps music five days a week. That's 10 GB easy. If I used a higher bit rate or did it more days, I could easily hit 17 GB. Again, all without tethering.
Wouldn't be hard. I'm using 1/2 GB a day streaming 128 kbps music five days a week. That's 10 GB easy. If I used a higher bit rate or did it more days, I could easily hit 17 GB. Again, all without tethering.
Fair enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Jesus
Run 3g watchdog and run Pandora on high quality all day and you will be shocked on how much data it uses.
Oh please. I'm not shocked at all considering:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Jesus
You can get rid of your home internet and tether with the OV either wireless or with usb.
Having the OV has saved me $60 a month in internet fees for the last 3 months.
But it also cites an email received by a VM customer saying that existing customers will be grandfathered into their current Beyond Talk plans for the life of the account.
sad...i guess i will have to get my first top up card at $35 (i just got my phone activated and had 2 wait to get my card b/c i get paid next week) =[
Do you get paid before the 20th? I am assuming that as long as you get your first card on or before the 19th and then keep your account current after that, you should be grandfathered into the $25 price.
Do you get paid before the 20th? I am assuming that as long as you get your first card on or before the 19th and then keep your account current after that, you should be grandfathered into the $25 price.
According to the link that is two posts above, it says that you can keep your existing plan for the life of your account.
Now I wonder... when the 20th rolls around and rates change, does that imply those who still have the $25/month plan will also be affected by the 2.5GB limit before speeds are throttled?
VM Rate hike, what will you do?
. 
And I agree about VM still being a good deal. 
