NewsFactor – In what could be the first phase of a transformation in the way its smartphone users pay for Internet use, the nation’s biggest carrier, Verizon Wireless, has introduced prepaid data plans. The no-contract plans, which go into effect Sept.

PC World – The new Samsung Galaxy Tab will reportedly be offered through Verizon here in the United States. The tablet–which is set to be officially unveiled at an event in Germany later this week–is Android-based and illustrates how the wireless providers have chosen sides in the mobile OS war.

Ben Patterson – We’ve already got the Captivate for AT&T, the Epic 4G for Sprint, and the Vibrant for T-Mobile — all three of which come armed with eye-popping 4-inch displays, slim profiles, speedy 1GHz processors, and five-megapixel cameras — and now Samsung’s set to finish its lap of the four big U.S. carriers with the Fascinate, due in the coming weeks for Verizon Wireless.

Investor’s Business Daily – The price of wireless phone services declined each year from ‘99 to ‘08, despite reduced competition as the $150 billion industry consolidated, says the Government Accountability Office. The economies of scale enjoyed by AT&T , Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile have helped keep prices in check amid a dearth of competition. The findings come as the FCC mulls freeing up more airwaves.

The Social Security Administration says it will announce in September a new award for data networking services following Qwest’s successful — but secretive — legal protest of the original awards to Verizon and AT&T.