We've seen a huge shift in the wireless landscape over the past year or so thanks largely to T-Mobile but it's a new plan, or lack of, from Virgin Mobile USA that may ultimately reshape how we think about wireless service.
Normally, when you sign up for wireless service, you get to choose between a handful of different pre-selected bundles of talk, text and data. Starting next month, however, Virgin Mobile USA pre-paid users will get to essentially create their own plans.
If you're a heavy talker but don't use much data, for example, you could load it with unlimited talk and a small data bundle. Need a phone just for emergencies? Only add a very small amount of minutes. Heavy social media user? Maybe unlimited tweets and Facebook posting would be up your alley.
Everything plan-related is handled from within an Android app and can be tweaked at any time. Say you start the month with 1,000 text messages but realize by mid-month that you'll only use half that amount. No worries - simply pop into the app, reduce the texts to 500 and you'll be refunded the difference.
It's all part of a program called Virgin Mobile Custom, available exclusively through Wal-Mart starting August 9. Only three sub-$130 Android phones will be available at launch but more will surely be added at a later date.
I don't know about you but I'd be all for a custom wireless plan. Let us know what you think in the comments below.