WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Verizon Wireless revealed their new 3G prepaid data package with unlimited data on select 3G smartphones and Multimedia phones for $30 monthly access.  A prepaid voice plan of at least $45 (for 450 minutes) and a data plan are required in order to buy any prepaid smartphone.

The smartphones are not as fully subsidized like other 3G smartphones with a plan. The Droid X is priced at $369.99 (plus sales tax on the full retail price) as opposed to $199 with a Verizon contract. The total monthly cost includes $30 for data and the cheapest voice minutes are $45 that equals $75.00 a month, there are no taxes on top of that amount.  You can not however, buy a smartphone with just a prepaid voice plan only, you have to buy both. There is no early termination fee (ETF) when you buy a prepaid smartphone. The prices of the smartphones appear at the end of this article. 

900 prepaid minutes cost $65 per month and unlimited prepaid voice is $75 per month. The new data plans do not include the cost of text messages.

Previously, customers who bought a data phone from Verizon and didn't want to sign a contract could only buy a prepaid voice plan,  Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney told Steven Lawson of IDG news service.  The new prepaid data plans give consumers more choices, she noted.

Multimedia phone customers also have the option of selecting a new $10 monthly data package for 25 MB per month ($.20/MB overage). These new prepaid data packages will be available from Verizon Wireless online on Sept. 28.

"These new data offerings will help our prepaid customers experience the full breadth of Verizon Wireless' robust device portfolio and the many engaging, informative and helpful applications that depend on a data plan," said Jim Sullivan, director of marketing for Verizon Wireless. "Our prepaid customers will now have the freedom to enjoy all of the capabilities that these phones have to offer, while controlling costs and without being tied to a contract."

We called our local Verizon store to get pricing options for the top prepaid smartphones offered by Verizon, some smartphones are no longer available (N/A). Even if you can't buy them in the store, some are eligible to be converted to a prepaid option.  The following are the 3G Smartphones and Multimedia phones eligible for the new prepaid data 3G Smartphones.

• BlackBerry Curve 8330 - N/A
  
• BlackBerry Curve 8530 - $189.99 + tax - read review.
  
• BlackBerry Storm 9530 - N/A
  
• BlackBerry Storm2 9550 - $320 + tax - read review.
• BlackBerry Tour 9630 N/A
  
• BlackBerry Bold 9650 - $269.99 + tax - read review.
• Palm Pre Plus - $120 + tax - read review.
  
• Palm Pixi Plus - $69.99 + tax - read review.
• DROID by Motorola - N/A
  
• Motorola DEVOUR - $249.99 + tax - read review.
• DROID X by Motorola - $369.99 + tax - read review.
• DROID 2 by Motorola - $369.99 + tax - read review.
• DROID Eris by HTC -  N/A
  
• DROID Incredible by HTC -$369.99 + tax - read review.
• LG Ally - $219.99 + tax - read review.

3G Multimedia phones

• LG enV TOUCH
• LG enV3
• LG Chocolate TOUCH
• LG VX8360
• Samsung Alias 2
• Samsung Renown
• Nokia Twist
• Casio EXILIM

Verizon Wireless Pre Pay Phones.

Review of Reviews Top Ten Best Android an' Droid Phones Now an' Later