Pre-paid wireless service becoming popular

March 22, 2009 – 2:57 am – No Comment

Prepaid wireless service is something that brings to mind images of criminals looking for ransom, but not wanting to be traced or a spy throwing a cell phone in a trash can after making a single call. However, with the current economic condition becoming seemingly worse daily, some consumers are looking to ditch their contract cell service for a cheaper (and simpler) prepaid service.

The New Millennium Research Council (NMRC), a Washington based “think tank”, surveyed Americans about their cell usage and said 17% of Americans have switched from contract plans to prepaid service because they are worried about the economy or their job.

Some are taking a long look at their current wireless bill and downsizing. Sprint said in February that “economic uncertainty” was part of the reason for the decline in sales and customer losses (even though Sprint has been losing customers at a fairly steady rate for a year or so now).