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Unlimited Minutes: Wireless Supremacy Battle Ensues
By Jeff | February 19, 2008
Verizon Wireless announced unlimited calling plans today. They consist of the Basic, Select, and Premium calling plans. The difference in the plans below basically depend on whether you want unlimited messaging or unlimited messaging and unlimited data usage.
Basic: $99.99
- Unlimited voice to anyone in the U.S.
- No domestic roaming or long distance charges
- Data is $1.99 per Mb transferred
Select: $119.99
- Unlimited voice to anyone in the U.S.
- No domestic roaming or long distance charges
- Unlimited messaging to anyone in the U.S.
- Data is $1.99 per Mb transferred
Premium: $139.99
- Unlimited voice to anyone in the U.S.
- No domestic roaming or long distance charges
- Unlimited messaging to anyone in the U.S.
- Unlimited Data
As expected, AT&T Mobility also announced plans for unlimited calling (although details are not yet released) in response to Verizon’s new plans. It’s unclear at this point whether AT&T leadership knew of Verizon’s plans or if they were caught off guard by this sudden news. But really, that question is irrelevant except to the powers that be as the consumer is put in a win-win situation regardless. At this time, AT&T Mobility is working diligently to get the new unlimited calling plans into place and built into the billing systems. Their scheduled release for the general public is set for February 22nd. That’s this Friday! The plans start at $99.99 (what a surprise!).
It’s a well known fact that Verizon and AT&T consider each other major rivalries. Generally, they will feed off of each other in pricing and services so you essentially get similar products with only a few key differences. Sprint, T-Mobile, and Alltel are not considered major players in this rivalry and are, for the most part, looked upon as annoying pests. Sprint is the closest as I refer to them as the Gonzaga (men’s NCAA basketball team) of the industry. They are making strides, but when it comes time to play North Carolina (Verizon) or Duke (AT&T), they are unable to compete realistically with the big boys.
The battle for supremacy continues as AT&T maintains the subscriber lead, while Verizon seems to maintain the revenue lead. Keep watching this show, because when competition is as fierce as this, the consumer will win every time. In the meantime, enjoy your unlimited calling plans.
Here are some exerpts from AT&T’s News Release:
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced today new unlimited voice plans targeted to wireless users who want the predictability of flat rate pricing for unlimited minutes. The plans will be available to new and existing wireless subscribers for $99.99 a month for unlimited U.S. calling on all devices with no domestic roaming or long distance charges. The plans can be combined with any current wireless data plan to give customers the ultimate in wireless freedom.
I don’t know if there are any specific terms and conditions for these new plans. I didn’t find anything different on Verizon’s website, but I soon as I know for sure I’ll let you know. As with any contract you sign, make sure you read the terms and conditions of that contract before you accept it. Trust me (Click to read my previous post about wireless contracts).
“We are pleased to offer our customers these great new plans that deliver value and simplified pricing,” said Ralph de la Vega, president & CEO, AT&T Mobility. “This is a highly competitive market and we’re committed to moving fast to meet customer needs.”
Not as fast as Verizon in this particular instance, but a 3-day response time to build the plans, update the billing systems, create the website content, and get legal clearance is not bad at all.
The new plans, available Feb. 22, can be ordered at one of AT&T’s 2,200 company-owned retail stores and kiosks, at www.att.com, or at one of the thousands of authorized AT&T retail locations. Existing customers can choose unlimited calling without extending their contract. New customers have the option of a month-to-month, 12 or 24 month contract.
Wow! Not even a contract extension. That’s a consumer victory right there.
Fasten your seat belts ladies and gentlemen, because this changes everything. Honestly, I never thought I would see the day of unlimited wireless calling. The profit from overage is rock solid, but I have to assume some research was conducted and the good outweighed the bad for offering such a plan to the public. In the end, it’s still a business industry and it’s about collecting those dead presidents.
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Topics: Verizon Wireless, Wireless Contracts, unlimited calling, unlimited minutes |
February 20th, 2008 at 10:04 am
You’ve got to be kidding me? UNLIMITED calling anytime????
My mind is blown!
I wonder how it works with a Family Plan…are the plans already active?
Mike Olbinski’s last blog post..Battlestar Galactica: Season 4 promo
February 20th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Verizon’s are active now. AT&T’s will be active on Friday. Family plans start at $199.99 for two lines and $99.99 for each additional line.
Essentially, unlimited calling is $99.99 per line whether you have several or one. I was shocked when I saw the news.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hmm…maybe I’ll rejoin the connected minions and get a cell phone again…
Jason A Clark’s last blog post..American Idol 2008 - Top 12 Men Performances
February 20th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Dude, join the new millennium. You gotta get a cell phone, even if it isn’t with unlimited minutes.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:31 am
Man, the cell phone is just a way for the Man to keep track of where you are. Cell phones are chains of oppression. YOU need to break free of the chains, my friend!
Jason A Clark’s last blog post..American Idol 2008 - Top 12 Men Performances
February 21st, 2008 at 4:07 pm
It’s also a way for your wife to keep track of where you are. Maybe you’ve got the right idea. LOL
February 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Jeff, I subscribe to email notifications and everytime it says from “Username” lol.
Not sure where you fix that, but….
Mike Olbinski’s last blog post..New FOX Series: New Amsterdam
February 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Hmmm… I don’t know either… I’ll check feedburner to see if I can find anything
February 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Pretty sure it’s a Wordpress thing…
Mike Olbinski’s last blog post..New FOX Series: New Amsterdam
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 am
Well, I checked everything in my Dashboard in regards to the feeds and nothing was out of whack. I’ve subscribed to my own feed through e-mail so that maybe I can see what you see.
I’m already subscribed through Google Reader and that is working fine, so we’ll see. Thanks for letting me know.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:28 am
I don’t think it’s the feed. It has something to do with the subscribe to comments. Whenever I get comment updates it says from “Username.”
Jason A Clark’s last blog post..American Idol 2008 - Top 12 Women Performances
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Ok, thanks Jason. Let me check that out.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Yep, Subscribe to Comments were never set up by me. Yes, I’m a genius. LOL
Sorry, everybody. I don’t think I even ever looked at that option page. It should sat Static ThinkBox from here on out with my website e-mail address.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
It works!
Jason A Clark’s last blog post..Jason A Clark and Mike Olbinski Join Forces To Form PopCritics.com
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
U R NOOB!
Works, nice!
Mike Olbinski’s last blog post..Jason A Clark and Mike Olbinski Join Forces To Form PopCritics.com
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I am a noob. Totally missed that option page when I loaded the plugin.
Live and learn, I guess.
Thanks for verifying it’s corrected!