Virgin Mobile and C Spire Wireless are both testing handset financing plans, reports Fierce Wireless.
According to Virgin Mobile rep Jayne Wallace, Virgin is testing a financing option in just one market, and the trial will end in the coming weeks. Wallace said the company has no immediate plans to expand or continue the trial.
C Spire Wireless is also testing a phone payment plan, but its trials are more widespread and will last longer. “We’re in the early stages of the trial program and are still analyzing data and results,” said C Spire representative Dave Miller. “BillFloat fills a need, primarily in the advance pay market, by providing a quick, easy and convenient way for consumers in our footprint to own a smartphone with payment terms that fit their budget.”
Prepaid carriers generally charge full retail price for their handsets. In order to compete with national post-paid carriers, however, they’ve begun to offer premium devices such as the Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note II. Handsets such as these often command prices in excess of $500 or $600. Many prepaid customers cannot afford to pay the full retail price of those devices, so financing plans are an enticing option to potential Virgin and C Spire customers.
