MessagingPlan
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MetroPCS turns attention away from unlimited momentarily, launches Walmart-exclusive bucket plans
A quick check of MetroPCS' site reminds us what these guys are all about -- unlimited voice, data, and messaging for less than you'd pay with any of the big guys -- but it looks like they might be exploring a shift in strategy with a handful of new prepaid packages that have launched exclusively through Walmart stores. For $20 you can get 500 minutes and 500MB of data, while moving up to $30 gets you 1,000 minutes and just 100MB of data -- both plans include unlimited messaging -- while a third plan for just $10 nets 200 voice minutes and unlimited incoming texts. Unsurprisingly, the packages aren't available with either MetroPCS' smartphones nor with the Craft, its just-launched LTE handset -- but considering how modern phones of both the smart and not-so-smart variety are emphasizing data and text features over voice, we wouldn't be surprised to see the regionals start to experiment more and more with interesting buckets.
AT&T's messaging plan requirement on 'quick messaging' handsets slipped in with unlimited voice launch
You see, it's just not enough that you're locked into a long-term binding contract with an epic ETF these days, apparently -- carriers need a little more assurance that you're going to make it rain on them after you pick up a subsidized device. Verizon's doing it, and now AT&T's following on from a slightly different angle, it seems. BGR has scored what appears to be some sort of FAQ for sales reps detailing new requirements for AT&T's so-called "quick messaging" range -- primarily midrange feature phones with QWERTY keyboards -- and as the name implies, they now want you to hook up to a messaging package of at least $20. We're being told by AT&T that this requirement was actually put into place back when the carrier tweaked its unlimited voice plans, so if you've bought one of these devices in the past couple weeks, odds are you've got this fine print written into your contract. Enjoy!
