Verizon Prepaid Cell Phones

You can choose amongst three types of Verizon Inpulse prepaid cell phone plans: Core, Plus, and Power.

But before we look at the plans lets check out the . . .

Coverage

According to Consumer Reports, Verizon has the best coverage overall nationwide. You can look at coverage in your local area by entering your zip code on their coverage locator (be sure to set the InPulse/EasyPay button).

Sample Coverage Map

We live in the Chapel Hill, NC area. Looking east to Wilmington Beach, Kittyhawk and the Outer Banks, coverage is pretty good with thick bands along most of the highways, with coverage even in the Outer Banks. They also provide a national coverage map. You are only considered to be roaming when you are outside their digital coverage area for your plan. So you can be outside your local area, but as long as you're within their national digital network, you're not roaming.

All in all, the coverage looks okay, except for some states out west which aren't covered that well by other carriers either.

Inpulse Core Plan

This plan charges a daily access fee of 99 cents on the days you use the phone.

Calls cost 10 cents per minute, but it does allow unlimited free incalling from other Verizon customers.

Text messages cost 10 cents each.

Inpulse Plus Plan

The Plus plan charges a $1.99 daily access fee on the days you use the phone.

However, for the higher charge, you do get . . .

Free night-minutes

The Plus plan gives you free night-time (9:01 pm to 5:59 am) minutes.

Standard minutes

Daytime and weekend calls cost 5 cents per minute, and roaming calls cost 69 cents per minute.

Daily access charge

There is a 99 cent per day access charge (charged only on the days you use the phone).

Activation fee and setup fee

There is also a $35 activation fee and a setup fee of either $15 or $20 depending on where you live.

Yearly cost

If you use the phone every day, the minimum yearly cost for this Verizon prepaid plan (not including the phone and setup fee) is $396.35 (99 cents per day x 365 days + $35 activation fee).

Add to that about 400 in-network minutes for the year (as a comparison to Tracfone) leaves you with a more realistic minimum cost of $436.35

Adding airtime to your Inpulse account

You can buy up to five $30 or $50 refill cards at a time.

Depending on how much you add to your Verizon prepaid account balance, your minutes will expire in either 30, 60, 90 or 120 days.

Having a year-long service period for your minutes is not an option.

Inpulse Power Plan

The Power plan charges a whopping $2.99 daily access charge on the days you use the phone. For this even higher fee, you at least get . . .

Free night and weekend minutes

In Power plan nights and weekend calls are free.

2 cents per minute calling

Calls cost 2 cents per minute, and text messages cost 2 cents as well.

There is again a $35 activation fee.

There is a $35 activation fee.

Inpulse Airtime Refill Cards

You can buy airtime refill cards in many locations. The cards range in denomination for $15 to $100 and last from 30 days to one year for the $100 refill:

Good airtime deals

If you buy airtime worth $15-$29.99 then your airtime expires in 30 days.

If you buy airtime worth $30 to $74.99 then your airtime expires in 60 days.

Airtime bought for $75-$99.99 expires in 90 days

Best Airtime Deal

And finally, airtime bought for $100 or more expires after ONE YEAR!

Phones

You can choose from about six phones ranging in cost from $59 for a basic Samsung Sch-U410 phone to $185 for a Samsung Alias phone.

Do you get any free minutes?

Yes, you get 10 minutes free upon activation.

Text messages

You can, of course send and receive text messages.

International text messages

In fact, Verizon has a good setup for sending international text messages from the USA. You can access it through their website as well and send a text message to almost any country. Clicking on their text message map brings up the various mobile networks in that particular country.

Promotions

You get discounts for purchasing Verizon prepaid cell phones from their website.

Porting your number

Since offering local number portability is the law of the land, you can port your current cell phone or home phone number to Verizon. (Note if you port your home phone number, that line will be disconnected.)

Thanks for reading this Verizon Inpulse review. Thinking of getting one? You can check out the . . .

Latest Verizon Inpulse Deals

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