Verizon prepaid mobile data launches; still not the cheapest

Verizon have announced a new set of prepaid data plans that the carrier is hoping will lure in some occasional mobile users currently turned-off by the contract offerings.  As of November 16th, the Verizon Wireless USB760 modem will be available with a $15 daily access rate (with a 75MB allowance); alternatively the carrier is offering weekly or monthly rates.

For a weekly allowance of 250MB, you're looking at $30, while 500MB to use in the course of a month is $50.  The USB760 itself has a memory card slot for up to 8GB of storage, and is Windows and Mac compatible.  We'd still recommend looking at Virgin Mobile's pre-pay mobile data plan, however, as its rates undercut those of Verizon.

Press Release:

RELIABILITY MEETS FLEXIBILITY WITH PREPAID PLANS FOR VERIZON WIRELESS' MOBILE BROADBAND SERVICE

Customers Can Choose From Daily, Weekly or Monthly High-Speed Internet With No Long Term Commitment

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. –Verizon Wireless today announced three new Mobile Broadband plans that will be added to the company's prepaid portfolio. Customers will be able to get speed when they need it on the Verizon Wireless 3G network with contract free pay-as-you go plans for daily, weekly or monthly access. The new prepaid options are ideal for those who have intermittent or seasonal use whether on vacation, enjoying a weekend getaway, or for students away at school. They give customers the following service options:

• Daily – $15 for 75 MB

• Weekly – $30 for 250 MB

• Monthly – $50 for 500 MB

Mobile Broadband prepaid will be sold as a bundle with the Verizon

Wireless USB760 modem, which comes with a high-performance internal antenna, removable memory of up to 8 GB and support for Windows® 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or 10.5(Leopard) or Linux. This modem will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and at Best Buy locations beginning Nov. 16.

For more information about Mobile Broadband from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com/mobilebroadband.