Verizon and Nextel both use CDMA technology.
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Verizon and Nextel, which is now converted to Sprint, are two of the options you have when looking for a wireless carrier. Both Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology to connect you to their networks, so you never need a SIM card for the phones they offer. Before making a decision on which provider is best for you, it is wise to investigate the differences between the companies.
Individual Plans
Verizon features three basic individual calling plans as of June 2011. The 450 minute plan is $39.99 per month, the 900 minute plan is $59.99 per month and the unlimited plan is $69.99 per month. These plans are all $20 more each month if you also want unlimited messaging. Sprint offers a basic 200 minute plan for $29.99 per month and an unlimited calling, messaging and data plan for $99.99 per month. There are also three 450 minute plans. The first is $39.99 for just calling. The second also includes unlimited messaging and runs $49.99 per month. The third costs $69.99 per month and includes unlimited messaging and data.
Family Plans
In 2011, Verizon's family plan options include 700 minutes at $69.99 per month; 1,400 minutes for $89.99 monthly; 2,000 minutes for $99.99 per month; and an unlimited choice for $119.99 per month. You can add unlimited messaging for every line for $30 monthly. Sprint has a 700 minute family plan for $69.99 per month and an unlimited calling, messaging and data plan for $189.99 per month. The 1,500 minute family plan with unlimited messaging is $99.99 per month, while the same plan with data costs $129.99 per month. You can double the 1,500 minutes to 3,000 for $50 per month on the plan without data and $40 per month on the plan with data.
Included Features
Verizon and Sprint both allow you to make calls from the United States, or to anywhere in the United States, without incurring roaming or long distance charges. Both companies also give you free calls to other customers in their networks and free night and weekend minutes. Except for the basic and unlimited plans, Verizon plans allow you to enter five numbers of your choice that you can call for free anytime. Sprint's 450 minute plan with unlimited messaging and data has a feature where you can call any other mobile phone for free whether it has Sprint service or not.
Add-On Features
You can add messaging features to your existing Verizon plan for an additional cost. Add 250 messages for $5 per month, 500 messages for $10 per month or 5,000 messages and free messages to other Verizon customers for $20 per month as of June 2011. You can also add 75 megabytes of Web usage for $10 per month on basic phones or unlimited data for $29.99 per month on high-end devices. You can get data for $15 per month with Sprint or data with messaging for $30 per month.
References
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
