Oct 22, 2009 5:00 pm US/Eastern
Survive In '09: Prepaid Phone Plans On The Rise
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Forget the long-term contracts and complicated payment plans. Right now, you have a lot more cheap cell phone deals to choose from. 3-On Your Side's Jim Donovan takes a look at prepaid calling options.
Prepaid cell phone sales are on the rise and now account for an estimated 20-percent of the market. Most major carriers have launched short term plans where consumers pay depending on what they need - and what they can afford.
Carlos Barahona of Wireless Wizard says "Usually we used to sell pre-paid for customers who didn't get approved for contract phones. But now we are getting customers daily asking about the prepaid. So our sales for prepaid have increased."
Wal-Mart is offering pay as you talk and text with Straight Talk. Straight Talk is a cell phone package that comes with a battery, charger and no frills phone.
CNET editor Kent German says, "The phones that will be offered with these plans tend to be lower end they're not going to have touch screen, they're not going to have video players. They're also phones that have been around quite a while as well."
But don't expect Blackberries or iPhones. Once you choose a basic model, starting as low as $30, you pay up front for the monthly plan.
German says, "Straight Talk is offering two price plans. The first is $30 for a 1000 text messages and 1000 anytime minutes, that's sufficient for a lot of people. The next is $45 which is unlimited text and unlimited messaging."
If you take photos and web search with your phone, the Straight Talk is not for you, it's best for basic communication. The phone uses the Tracfone network which partners with major carrier networks.
RELATED LINK:
http://www.walmart.com/straighttalk
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