I need to know so I can decide which carrier to use.

No. You have to have a contract with Sprint.
Everytime you add features to your service the contract is extended. It is a very poor service.

Yes.Virgin Mobile is Sprints prepaid paln so you wont have a contract.Virgin Mobile rocks.Nice phones to. go to www.virginmobileusa.com check it out.

Yes they do. One is Virgin Moblie which is Sprint's pre-paid service. Another is month by month, but the plan is cheap and small amount of minutes. Depending on what you are looking for ; more minutes or just pre-paid. Just read the pamphlet on the plans or ask an associate.