Virgin Mobile USA is offering “pink slip protection” for customers who lose their jobs.

Telecoms provider Virgin Mobile USA has responded to the tough economic climate with its innovative unemployment assistance plan for customers who lose their jobs.

Virgin Mobile USA will launch its new Totally Unlimited prepaid calling plan for $49.99 (£33.50) tomorrow (15 April 2009) and will bolster its monthly plans with a special programme designed to help support customers who become unemployed.

The wireless company announced that it would waive fees for three months for any of its prepaid, no-contract plans if a customer loses his job, as long as he or she has been a customer for at least two months – known as “Pink Slip Protection”.

Dan Schulman, CEO, Virgin Mobile USA, said: “With the unemployment rate rising, the fear of job loss or salary reductions have made consumers watch every dollar. These issues tend to impact our prepaid base more than many wireless users, so we hope this programme can offer some peace of mind to our customers.”

With texting continuing to grow in popularity, Virgin is also introducing the only nationwide prepaid plan designed specifically for heavy texters – Texter’s Delight, which will also offer Pink Slip Protection.

Virgin Mobile’s plans are payable with cash or credit/debit cards, have no activation fees, and no long distance or roaming charges, as some companies do, but are consistent with industry standards excluding taxes and surcharges.

Operating on a nationwide 3G network, reaching more than 280 million people, Virgin Mobile USA also allows customers to earn free minutes in exchange for viewing advertising content online through the innovative Sugar Mama programme.