Virgin Mobile USA Long Distance Rates & Information
Virgin Mobile USA is a well-known prepaid carrier (also known as an MVNO) that is owned by Sprint and runs on its network. As such, Virgin Mobile customers receive the same coverage as Sprint customers. Sprint’s 4G LTE network is fourth best in the country, with 27% nationwide coverage. With its international calling and texting add-ons, Virgin Mobile USA allows you to stay connected to loved ones abroad.
- Virgin Mobile USA International
- Virgin Mobile USA International+
Without an international calling add-on, you will have to pay per minute or per text, which can add up quickly if you have a loved one that lives overseas or is traveling for a significant period of time.
| Add-On | Price | Calling | Texting |
| Virgin Mobile USA International | $5/month | Unlimited calls to Mexico & Canada | Unlimited worldwide texting |
| Virgin Mobile USA International+ | $10/month | Unlimited calls to Mexico, Canada, & landlines in 70+ countries 200 min. to mobiles in 50+ countries | Unlimited worldwide texting |
Virgin Mobile USA $5 International Add-On
The Virgin Mobile USA International add-on, which costs just $5/month, enables you to make unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada (excluding Northern Territories), as well as send unlimited texts worldwide.
Virgin Mobile USA $10 International+ Add-On
The Virgin Mobile USA International+ add-on, which costs $10/month, gives you all of the privileges of the $5/month feature, plus:
- Unlimited calls to landlines in 70+ countries
- 200 minutes to select mobiles in 50+ countries
- Reduced per-minute rates to 200+ destinations
Virgin Mobile’s website doesn’t provide a list of the countries included in this international calling add-on, so if you’re planning to call a certain country, you’ll want to check by searching for your specific country here.
Long Distance Pay-Per-Use Rates
If you don’t have a Virgin Mobile USA international add-on, you will have to pay per minute or text. Below are some pay-per-use rates for popular calling destinations around the globe:
- China: $15/minute
- India: $.30/minute
- Cuba: $.99/minute
- Dominican Republic: $.10-$.15/minute
- Philippines: $.20/minute
- Vietnam: $.15/minute
- El Salvador: $.16-$.35/minute
- Haiti: $.25-$.50/minute
- Jamaica: $.25-$.30/minute
- South Korea: $.10/minute
- Colombia: $.15-$.25/minute
- Guatemala: $.09-$.15/minute
Virgin Mobile USA Long Distance Add-Ons Vs. Competitor Add-Ons
Virgin Mobile USA’s international calling and texting add-ons are similar in price and features to several add-ons offered by other well-known MVNOs, such as Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, and Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS). Here’s how they compare.
| Carrier Add-On | Price | Calling | Texting |
| Virgin Mobile USA International+ | $10/month | Unlimited calls to landlines in 70+ countries, 200 min. to select mobiles in 50+ countries | Unlimited texting worldwide |
| Cricket Wireless International Extra | $15/month | Unlimited talk to landlines in 35 countries, 1,000 min of mobile-to-mobile calling from U.S. to 31 countries | Unlimited MMS texts to 35 countries |
| Boost Mobile International Connect PLUS | $10/month | Unlimited calls to Mexico & Canada, unlimited calls to landlines in 70+ countries, 200 minutes to mobile phones in 50+ countries | Unlimited international texting |
| Metro by T-Mobile Global Voice Unlimited | $10/month | Unlimited calls to 12 countries | Unlimited texts to 12 countries |
Metro by T-Mobile’s international calling and texting add-ons appear to be a bit more limited than those offered by the other three carriers. Metro’s $10/month Global Voice Unlimited only allows you to call and text 12 countries, while all of the others in the table include worldwide texting and many more calling countries.
Why Choose Virgin Mobile USA
Chances are that you’ve heard of Virgin Mobile—the prepaid MVNO’s been around since 2001. This prepaid carrier offers affordable phone plans without the hassle of a credit check, and are an ideal choice if you live somewhere where Sprint’s network has strong coverage. Note that Virgin Mobile is an iPhone-only carrier, as they don’t sell any Android devices. Although Virgin Mobile doesn’t have physical stores like Metro by T-Mobile and Cricket Wireless, you can purchase their phones and plans at retailers, such as Best Buy, Walmart, and Target.