The difference between Verizon postpaid and prepaid coverage

December 29, 2009/Joe Pawlikowski

Verizon Wireless has done a good job of marketing its services. It claims to be “America’s Most Reliable Wireless Network,” and openly displays its coverage map on TV commercials. While Verizon’s coverage claims are true for its postpaid network, it does not extend to prepaid coverage. Verizon’s network does not actually span the entire country. Instead, it covers a good portion, with gaps filled in by roaming agreements with other carriers. Verizon allows contract customers to roam in these areas free of charge, but in most cases prepaid users have to pay roaming fees. Since Verizon has its own prepaid service and a number of MVNOs, it is important to note the differences between prepaid and postpaid coverage. This is Verizon’s postpaid coverage map.

Click for larger image Verizon prepaid and their MVNOs — including Page Plus and Straight Talk — operate with this coverage map:
Click for larger image If you’re planning to use Verizon prepaid or a Verizon MVNO, keep this in mind. Verizon might advertise a robust national network, and while they do provide good coverage for prepaid users, it’s not quite at the level of postpaid. This post inspired by Howard Forums user wralford. ]]>

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6 Comments

  1. David on December 29, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Straight Talk’s coverage map looks just like Verizon’s prepaid, less the roaming areas. Straight Talk phones are incapable of roaming.
    America Movil, which owns Straight Talk, also owns TracFone and Net10. CDMA phones under those names mostly run on Verizon, but have very strong roaming abilities. TracFone (& Net10) look to have better coverage than Verizon contract phones. That may be an illusion from the maps, but it’s certainly no worse.



  2. Tamzen on December 29, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Straight Talk is a great way of being in touch. Straight Talk runs on the Verizon network so you get the super coverage. Straight Talk has monthly plans and 8 different phones to choose from.. including the new smart Samsung Finesse touchscreen. There is All you need $30 monthly with 1000 minutes, messages and 30mb data and the fantastic Unlimited $45 monthly with unlimited data, minutes and messages.



  3. mike freeman on December 29, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    New Verizon reseller is unusual.
    Mingo Wireless offers two plan types. Paygo or Mingo Flex on prepaid network. Their Mingo Plus plans are the same coverage as Verizon’s postpaid network. Some of their plans are very similar to the current Verizon nationwide postpaid plans but exchange mobile to mobile and 9pm nights/weekends with 7 pm nights/weekends. Neither Flex or Plus needs contracts.
    They also take any Verizon phone, have excellent customer service , data/text addon plans and good international rates.
    http://www.mingowireless.com



  4. Russell Holt on December 31, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    The roaming issue is why Im dropping pageplus,,, The next town over from Us is where all the big stores are ,,and its all roaming bummer,,, bye bye



  5. mike freeman on January 15, 2010 at 6:51 am

    Verizon prepaid is offering three brand new plans, 450 minutes for $44.99 , 900 minutes for 64.99 and unlimited talk for 74.99. Unlimited text is $20 extra for each one. The 450/900 minute plans come with unlimited m2m/nights and weekends.
    Hopefully, Verizon mvnos will see a rate cut too.



  6. dissappointed on October 18, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    is this a rview forum or an advertising site??? — mike freeman put your fn advertisements somewhere else