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Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator that offers prepaid plans and music services for a young audience.

Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section; the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.

The first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) carrier in the United States, Virgin Mobile has led the way in aggressively marketing its prepaid service to the youth market. If you've been to a Virgin Megastore lately, you've doubtless seen Virgin Mobile phones hanging from display racks. The carrier operates over Sprint's network and is therefore a CDMA carrier. Virgin Mobile is usually offered where there's Sprint network coverage.

Things you should know:

  • As a CDMA carrier, international coverage is limited.
  • There is no activation fee.
  • It offers two payment options: Pay-as-you-go and monthly plans with no contract required.
  • You have to pay $10 a month for unlimited text and messaging with a monthly plan. It's $20 a month if you have a pay-as-you-go plan.
  • Most of its devices tend toward basic handsets, ranging from $9.99 all the way to $99.99 (The Kyocera Wild Card is its only device with a QWERTY keyboard).
  • Carries mostly Kyocera, LG, and UTStarcom phones.
  • You can make payments via PayPal.
  • All monthly plans include unlimited nights and weekends. Pay-as-you-go plans have rollover minutes.
  • There are no roaming or long distance charges.

Fast facts:
  • Subscribers: more than 5 million
  • Coverage: Virgin Mobile has CDMA coverage in every state, similar to Sprint. Individual coverage will vary by location. For international coverage CDMA roaming is available in 26 countries.
  • Technology: CDMA; 1xRTT
  • 3G network: No
  • Streaming video service: No
  • Music download service: No
  • Push-to-talk: No
  • Analog roaming: Yes
  • Prepaid plans: Yes
  • Family plans: No


    •   AT&T T-Mobile Sprint Nextel Verizon Wireless
    Coverage map AT&T coverage map T-Mobile coverage map Sprint Nextel coverage map Verizon Wireless coverage map
    Technology GSM; GPRS; EDGE GSM; GPRS: EDGE CDMA; 1xRTT; iDEN CDMA; 1xRTT
    3G network Yes, UMTS, EV-DO No (coming in 2007) Yes, EV-DO Yes, EV-DO
    Data plans Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Streaming video network Yes, AT&T Video No Yes, Sprint Power Vision Yes, Verizon V Cast
    Music download service Yes, AT&T Music No Yes, Sprint Music Store Yes, V Cast Wireless Music
    Push-to-Talk Available, depending on phone model No Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model
    Analog roaming No No Yes Yes
    Prepay plans Yes Yes No Yes
    Family plans Yes Yes Yes Yes


      U.S. Cellular Alltel MetroPCS
    Coverage map U.S. Cellular coverage map Alltel coverage map MetroPCS coverage map
    Technology CDMA; 1xRTT CDMA; 1xRTT CDMA; 1xRTT
    3G network No Yes, EV-DO No
    Data plans Yes Yes No
    Streaming video network No Yes No
    Music download service No No No
    Push-to-Talk Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model No
    Analog roaming Yes Yes Yes
    Prepay plans Yes Yes No
    Family plans Yes Yes No

    Buying choices

    for Virgin Mobile from online stores:
    Please see CNET's Cell phone plan finder to purchase a phone with Virgin Mobile
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