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Are you the type that finds yourself tapping out text messages — whether SMS, email, or IM — more often than you do talk on the phone? If so, Verizon has a plan for you. The nation’s No. 2 wireless carrier has rolled out a series of Nationwide Messaging plans which fit all style of mobile messenger. Whether you have a consumer phone, smartphone, or BlackBerry, Verizon has a messaging plan for you. Each one comes with a per-minute voice rate — you know, in case you care to actually speak to people. But otherwise, you’re on your way to unlimited messaging.

For those with consumer phones, the plan costs $34.99. It covers unlimited text, IM, picture and video messaging, plus Mobile Web. If you want to talk, it’ll cost a steep 40 cents per minute. Really, this is ideal if you don’t plan to talk at all, or are going to limit yourself as much as possible.

For BlackBerry addicts and smartphone users, your fee will be $54.99 per month. It includes all of the messaging benefits of the consumer plan, plus email, web browsing, and data usage. The per-minute voice rate is a saner 25 cents, though I still wouldn’t recommend taking a happy birthday call from Aunt Gertrude.

Consumer device customers also have the option of adding email to their account for $5.00 per month. This covers POP3 and IMAP accounts. A list of phones that support mobile email: LG VX8300, VX8350, VX8700 and VX9400; Chocolate, Venus, enV and Voyager by LG; MOTOKRZR K1m, MOTORAZR V3c, MOTORAZR V3m and MOTORIZR Z6tv; Samsung Alias (SCH-u740), Samsung SCH-u900 and SCH-u620, as well as the FlipShotâ„¢ by Samsung and the Gleam.

It looks like Verizon is really trying to meet increasing demands for data services. Yesterday, they lowered their data plan prices. Perhaps this is the precursor to a mobile VoIP offering, though that’s probably wishful thinking.

You’ll need to sign a contract for these plans, though it appears a one-year version is available. If you’re going to go the one-year route, you’re best off already having the phone, since you won’t get such a nice subsidy.

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