Verizon Wireless offers affordable entry level data plans

Verizon Wireless might just be onto something when they announced yesterday plans to cut entry-level data plans to a more affordable $20 per month.  Like most other carriers, Verizon Wireless threw out their unlimited data plans and started a couple different tiered options.  For data plans, the deals are still quite affordable, but if you are a new smartphone owner, you might want to check out their $20 300MB option.  One catch with the plan is that if you were to go over your 300MB, Verizon will give you another 300MB for an additional $20 charge.  If you are one that plays online a lot and does not pay attention, the plan might end up costing you as much as other plans that offer you more data usage up front.

Other plans that the company offers include 2GB for $30, 5GB for $50 and 10GB for $80.  Unlimited plans really put a strain on companies and Verizon went to the tiered plans in order to bring in more money and lighten the load on mobile carriers.  As of Thursday, Verizon customers in Virginia and Washington D.C will be able to add the 300MB for $20 per month.  The promotion will run through the end of September.  Verizon has plenty of handsets available and the customers in those two states will have options to choose from 3G or 4G devices.

Mobile carriers are trying whatever they can to lure customers from other companies and more affordable data plans is right in line with the plans Verizon has to do just that.  Verizon Wireless is one company that thinks customers that are staying away from smartphones, are doing so because of the risk of higher costs on their cell phone bills.

Mike Malorana, the regional president for Verizon Wireless said, “This is a great introductory plan for customers who have been contemplating moving from a basic phone to a smartphone but were hesitant because of cost. The $20 monthly access promotional plan is an opportunity for customers to learn the many benefits of having a smartphone with email and calendar functions, as well as Internet access and apps, at their fingertips.”

Verizon Wireless is keeping up with other companies in the mobile industry for this year.  The stock price for Verizon Wireless has actually dropped about 5 percent in the last 3 months, but that just might change for the better after Thursday.