Verizon Wireless prides itself in being the most profitable mobile carrier in the US. Based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, it has a strong population of about 70 million customers. Its customer loyalty and low churn are notable as it continues to expand its network coverage across the country.

Prepaid Plans

Verizon Wireless has three INpulse plans that cater to your prepaid needs. The Core plan costs 10 cents per minute and the daily access charge is only 99 cents. You only pay this access charge on the days you use the service and IN calling, calling between Verizon phones, is unlimited. The INpulse Plus has a daily access charge of $1.99 on the days you use the phone. It includes unlimited IN calling and night minutes from 9:01 pm to 5:59 am. All other calls have a rate of 5 cents per minute. The Power plan is for $2.99 and it offers unlimited calls anytime of the day.

Pros and Cons

The INpulse plan gives a lot of savings especially if you choose the Power plan which allows unlimited calling for only $2.99 per day of use. But while many other providers do not charge an activation fee, activating a Verizon Wireless phone costs $25.

Features

Minutes

The rate per minute depends on the Inpulse plan that you subscribe to. The standard charge is 10 cents and it is available with the Core plan. But if you choose the highest plan which is the Inpulse Power, you get to have unlimited calling anytime at no additional charge.

Mobile web access rate is 99 cents on the days you use this service.

Text and picture

The Core plan charges 10 cents per message sent and received. The Plus plan rates at 5 cents and the Power plan charges only 2 cents. The same charges apply when receiving international text messages but sending costs 25 cents. There are two options for unlimited messaging: $20 per month which includes unlimited messaging to any network in the US and $10 per month for unlimited messaging to any Verizon Wireless phones plus 250 text messages to any network. Sending pictures and videos has a rate of 25 cents per message.

International

Verizon Wireless covers international calling. This charges an additional rate on top of the per minute rate of your INpulse plan. You may call customer service to check the international calling rates to specific countries. Calling Puerto Rico has no additional charge.

Calling Features

The Verizon Wireless INpulse plans include standard calling features: call waiting, three-way calling, call forwarding and caller ID.

Long distance

Verizon has a nationwide coverage that allows calling to anywhere in the US and even Puerto Rico at no additional charge.

Payment Options

You can purchase refill cards online using your credit/debit card or check. Cash payment is an additional option when purchasing at Verizon retailers.

Roaming charge

In areas where there is no Verizon signal, you can roam at a rate of 20 cents per minute on top of the casual airtime charges.

Activation fee

Activating the Pay As You Go service may require a $25 activation fee.

Minute expiration rules

The service period vary depending on the denomination of the refill card you purchase: $15-$29.99 expires in 30 days, $30-$74.99 expires in 60 days, $75-$99.99 expires in 90 days and $100 or more lasts for up to one year.

Customer Service

You may reach the Verizon Wireless customer service through email, toll-free number or speed dial from your handset.

Verizon Wireless offers a wide range of phone selections from regular flip phones to touch screen phones to PDAs and Blackberry devices. Some models include the Blackberry Pearl 8130, Blackberry 8830 World Edition, Motorola Q, Palm Centro and the LG Voyager.