Verizon Lowers Prepaid to $1.99 a Day, Raises Text MSG to 2¢

Verizon Wireless has cut the price of daily prepaid service to $1.99 per day for unlimited nation-wide calls.  The previous price was $3.99 per day.  Text messaging rates, however, were increased from one cent to two cents per text.

Verizon also offers a prepaid daily plan for 99 cents that includes unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling and additional minutes at 10 cents each.

The pay-per-minute option, with no fee for a day of calling, costs 25¢ a minute for all mobile-to-mobile or night and weekend minutes and 20¢ per text message sent or received.

The new daily plan is only available on Verizon feature phones, smartphones required monthly prepaid service starting at $44.99 a month for 450 talk minutes.
"The new plan portfolio was simplified, and I think it's a direct response to AT&T's plan enhancement done in October,"  Current Analysis' Maidy Whitesell, told Fierce Wireless.

"The fact that it (Verizon) restricts its available handsets with its daily plans is a clear indication that it's preventing any possible cannibalization from customers in higher-end plans.  Overall, I think the move is positive because the carrier wants to be competitive in the prepaid arena, but it does not seem that it's ready to compete in terms of pricing, at least not yet."

Verizon prepaid minutes don't roll-over.  $15-$29.99 refills expire in 30 days.  $75-$99.99 expires in 180 days.  $30-$74.99 expires in 90 days.  $100 or more expires in one year.