(Image Source: Yutaka Tsutano )

 

BY LEAH BECERRA

ANCHOR EMILY ALLEN

 

A second prepaid cell provider has been granted the ability to sell iPhones, this time the lucky non-contract service is Virgin Mobile. Mobile Burn explains.

"Virgin Mobile has carried some relatively high-end smartphones in the past, and most recently it picked up the HTC EVO V 4G...However, the iPhone is by far the most expensive and highest profile device ever to be offered by the brand, and despite its high up-front cost, it will likely sell quite well."

That up-front cost is $549 for 8gb 4G versions and $649 for 16gb 4Gs versions. TechNewsDaily pointed out that even though the phone will cost more up-front, the $30 monthly service charges are cheap.

“For people who mainly text, email, Facebook and tweet to stay in touch, that's a good deal. And should they use up their talk time, they can switch to Internet calling apps like Google Voice or Skype and simply use the phone's data connection.”

The Wall Street Cheat Sheet writes that with plans this inexpensive some industry giants may lose their iPhone revenue.

"All carriers stand to lose iPhone customers to Virgin Mobile, the only question is, how many? Sprint certainly stands to lose the most, but that doesn’t mean Verizon and AT&T are safe."

Prices aside, Virgin Mobile still doesn’t have a better network than companies like Verizon and AT&T. Macworld explains.

“As far as coverage goes, Virgin Mobile uses Sprint’s network in the U.S., so nationwide access is available, but it tends to be somewhat spotty in many non-urban areas.”

Virgin Mobile iPhones can be found on shelves June 29.