Well, it looks like the budget-friendly carrier options in Canada just got a little less budget-friendly, as Virgin Mobile has hiked its monthly rates by about 17% across the board, and added a new $35 "account setup fee." That makes the new $25 "Starter" plan the least expensive option available, with it including 100 text messages, 100 minutes, and 1,000 evening and weekend minutes. Other plans will run you $30, $40, or $50 a month (each $5 more expensive than before), while the top-end $60 a month plan is the only to remain unchanged. Additional bundle packages have also received a hike, and will now run you anywhere from $11 to $22. According to MobileSyrup, there's a number of reasons for the rate increases, including the fact that the discount carrier apparently hasn't posted a profit since its launch in 2005, and that they're now looking to build some actual walk-in stores, in addition to the usual kiosks. Even more interestingly, they're also saying that the price increases could be in anticipation of some pricier handsets in the offing, perhaps even including the BlackBerry Storm by the end of the year.

It's kind of scary to think just how long ago certain parts of the globe had access to RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8330, but for those with ample amounts of patience and a hankering to stick with Virgin Mobile Canada, today's your lucky day. As of now, the tried and true handset is available on the aforesaid carrier, though the price points aren't particularly awesome. Sure, $49.99 on contract sounds fantastic, but that's on a 3-year plan; a more manageable 2-year deal ups the price to $329.99, while it shoots up another $50 on a 1-year agreement. Yikes.

[Via mobilesyrup]

Usually we'd say that late trumps never, but in this case, we're not so sure. Two months shy of a full year after RIM announced the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 for CDMA carriers, Virgin Mobile Canada is just now adding the handset to its arsenal. We'll go ahead and assume you already know what this thing is packing, so here's the dirt you aren't familiar with: free on a 3-year contract (as if!), $299 on a 2-year plan, $349 on a 1-year plan (have we reached the absurdity ceiling yet?) and $399 on a 30-day contract (ah, there it is).

[Via mobilesyrup]

At CAN $299, the Motorola KRZR that just plopped into Virgin Mobile Canada's lineup is the most expensive handset in its stable. Featuring all the bells and whistles of the same handset released this time last year by the other carriers, we're honestly a bit surprised by the pretty heavy price point. No word on that lovely $10 unlimited data plan being available on this handset -- perhaps its "tetherability" is a stumbling point? -- but trust us, we'll be keeping our eyes wide to see what develops.

[Via HowardChui.com]