Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile offer veterans a simplified deal

Contract-free carriers Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile are following the example of parent company Sprint by adopting new veteran-friendly measures.

Starting Nov. 11, both carriers will allow service women and men to keep their accounts and phone numbers while deployed overseas, waiving the need to top-up their plans removing any automatic payment activity associated with veterans' accounts.

"We're so grateful for the service provided by those in our military; dealing with mobile phone payments is the last thing they should be concerned with when preparing to leave," John Carney, who oversees consumer marketing for Sprint's Prepaid Group, said in a statement.

"We look forward to serving them again when they return home and wish them the best while they are deployed."

To take advantage of the program, customers should call either Boost or Virgin Mobile Customer Care, which will direct them to customer service agents working with the initiative, the pair said in a statement.

Carney added, "Of course, if the customer is still deployed or to be deployed again, we will extend the program."

Sprint has extended a similar offer to postpaid subscribers since 2003. AT&T offers special bundled rates for military members, as well as Special Military Calling Cards, and Verizon, through memberships to certain veterans' organizations, offers service plan discounts.