Virgin Mobile gives BYO iPhone customers a year of service for $1

Virgin Mobile USA has announced a new promotion that will give iPhone customers a year of wireless service for a single dollar if they transfer their number to the carrier. The promotion is only live for a limited amount of time, but includes unlimited talk, text and high-speed data for the duration of 12 months. New customers must transfer their number to the carrier's Inner Circle plan to get the deal.

The key perk here — the $1 annual service aside for a moment — is that you can bring your existing iPhone to the service rather than having to buy a model through the carrier. That makes this promotion effectively something like a very, very long trial of the service.

Assuming you take the company up on its promotion, Virgin Mobile says that the average customer will save around $1200 over the course of two years if they stick with it for those full 24-months. Of course, the company is anticipating customers who sign up for the promotion sticking around for longer than just that first year.

The plan assumes that your phone is compatible, though; 'most' iPhones starting at the 5s are eligible, though you'll have to check your own handset on the carrier's website. As well, those who sign up will need to order a SIM from the carrier. The SIM cards are being offered for free until September 29, at which point the price will increase to a hefty $25 USD.

Once the promotion ends, Virgin Mobile explains that customers will be transitioned onto a plan priced at $50/month. Upgrading to a new iPhone, though, will get you an additional 6 months of unlimited service for $1. Buying a new iPhone through the carrier also brings the same $1/year deal.

SOURCE: BusinessWire