Virgin Mobile, one of the prepaid arms of Sprint USA, said on Wednesday that it would officially stop selling Android phones. This is because the firm will exclusively focus on Apple's iPhones. In order to make the deal more appealing, Virgin Mobile claimed that the first year of unlimited call, text, and data will cost $1 only. Aside from that, the customers will also get perks like a free round-trip ticket flight, one night's stay at a Virgin Hotel, coupon discounts, and much more.
This newly announced service, named as the Inner Circle, begins onTuesday. However, according to CNET, fans can preorder mobile phones as early as today. This move marks a very radical shift from the usual offerings by the prepaid carrier. Also, the new program is somehow similar to competitors' bundles such as T-Mobile's MetroPCS and AT&T's Cricket Wireless. This transition really makes sense since Virgin Mobile USA is trying to lift up its reputation and obviously targeting wealthier customers. The move also makes Virgin Mobile into Apple's official retail stores, the first-ever prepaid carrier to make a partnership with iPhones.
As reported by TechCrunch, Virgin's $1 program is considered a less jaw-dropping offer after Sprint, its parent company, offered a full year of free service. However, the key difference is that Sprint's offer is a slightly low-key, limited experiment package, while Virgin's deal is the new pattern, claimed by CEO of Virgin Mobile USA Dow Draper. "It's not often as a brand you get a chance to reposition yourself," Draper said in an interview Tuesday. "We know you gotta have a compelling offer."
Virgin Mobile's new offer will promote its new service with various perks available until September 30. Other perks include a free roundtrip companion ticket, a one-night stay at a Virgin Hotel, savings of $170 on an introductory offer to Virgin Wines Club, more than 20 percent off on flights to Virgin America, as well as on Virgin Sports San Francisco Festival of Fitness.
