Virgin Mobile iPhone Now Available At Canadian Apple Stores

A few days ago, Virgin Mobile officially launched its HSPA+ network (using Bell service) across Canada. Alongside the launch, Virgin announced new smartphone rates plans and that it was carrying the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Until now, the only place to get Virgin Mobile service on an iPhone 3G/3GS was to visit a Virgin Mobile store. As of today however, prospective customers may get their Virgin Mobile iPhone 3G/3GS at their local Apple Store as well.

Back in September, Apple launched iPhone Activation Zones across its Canadian retail stores but the activation zones were initially found in USA Apple Stores. These Activation Zones are a dedicated zone in which Apple customers, or just strictly iPhone buyers, can discuss, purchase and activate an iPhone just as you would at a typical Rogers/Fido/Telus/Bell store. In other words, Apple Stores in Canada can now sell and activate iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS on Rogers, Fido, Telus, Bell, AND Virgin Mobile.

The only difference between buying at an Apple Store versus an official carrier store is customers receive personal service, Apple pizazz, no pushy sales people, and an iPhone device right from the Mothership! However, the Apple Store buying method does require an appointment, so read about that here.

As indicated when Virgin launched its plans at the end of January, the following packages are available on a 3-year term:

Virgin Mobile Smartphone Combo Plans

$50/month

  • Daytime Minutes: 150 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
  • Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
  • Data: 500MB + Tethering
  • Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display OR Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
  • Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

$65/month

  • Daytime Minutes: 200 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
  • Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
  • Data: 1GB + Tethering
  • Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display OR Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
  • Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

$80/month

  • Daytime Minutes: 350 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
  • Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
  • Data: 2GB + Tethering
  • Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display OR Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
  • Visual Voicemail is included
  • Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

$100/month

  • Daytime Minutes: 450 anytime + 50 bonus minutes
  • Evenings & Weekends: Unlimited at 7pm
  • Data: 3GB + Tethering
  • Features: Choose Voicemail 10 with Caller Display AND Unlimited Text and Picture messaging
  • Visual Voicemail is included
  • Free WiFi at all Starbucks locations

If customers opt to build their own plan, they may choose a voice plan starting at $25/month (up to $70) and then add a data plan starting at $30 for 500MB.

Data Add-Ons (include Tethering and Free Starbucks WiFi)

  • $30/month: 500 MB
  • $35/month: 1GB
  • $50/month: 2GB
  • $65/month: 3GB
  • $85/month: 5GB
  • Additional $5/month gives customers “Flexi-data” that fluctuates depending on data use.

Any of the above plans come with a 3-year contract and may also have additional paid add-ons such as early evenings. Regardless of add-ons however, the iPhone is available at the following prices:

iPhone 3G 8GB Black:

  • $99 with 3-year term
  • $599 no term

iPhone 3GS 16GB Black/White:

  • $199 with 3-year term
  • $699 no term

iPhone 3GS 32GB Black/White:

  • $299 with 3-year term
  • $799 no term

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