unlimited messaging
Latest
Telkomsel's new unlimited messaging plan gives Indonesians an alternative to BBM
As far as monopolies go, word on the interwebs is BlackBerry holds a pretty major one with its own BBM in Indonesian territory. According to DailySocial, though, that all could be changing soon thanks to Telkomsel's newly introduced all-you-can-message plans. The deal's fairly simple, the Indonesian carrier's bundling applications like Opera Mini, Line, WhatsApp and KakaoTalk in an unlimited package, with pricing starting at a mere 30,000 Rp (around $3) per month. Obviously, with the inclusion of a couple of the aforementioned apps, Indonesians could -- in theory -- also make calls without using their precious minutes, which is quite a good deal for under four bucks. In the end, it looks like it'll come down to how attached folks are to all those BlackBerry Messenger pins and whistles.
Verizon Wireless announces Share Everything family plans
With no hyperbole at all, Verizon Wireless has announced "Share Everything Plans that will forever change the way customers purchase wireless services." The new plans create a bucket of unlimited voice, text, video and picture messaging, and a data allowance that can be used on up to ten devices on the Verizon network. The plans, which begin on June 28, 2012 and are available to new and existing customers, also include the Mobile Hotspot service on all of the devices. The plan has two steps. First, you pay a monthly line access fee for every device. That fee is US$40 for smartphones, $30 for basic phones, $20 for USB modems, Jetpack mobile hotspots, and data-equipped notebooks and netbooks, and $10 for tablets. Next, you determine how much data you wish to share amongst up to 10 devices. The prices, seen in the chart above, range from $50 per month for a paltry 1 GB of shared data to $100 for a monthly bucket of 10 GB. Verizon has a tool available online to help customers figure out how to pick the best option. In the meanwhile, enjoy the ad that you'll probably be viewing ad infinitum on TV over the next few weeks. [via MacRumors]
AT&T streamlining individual messaging plans August 21st, leaving unlimited as the sole survivor
Do not adjust your computer screen, because the screenshot you're seeing above is real. Confirmed by multiple sources, we've exclusively learned that AT&T -- the protagonist of choice -- is trimming its individual messaging packages from two to one on August 21st. The remaining survivor? The Messaging Unlimited plan for $20, which means the $10 bundle that offers 1000 messages is riding into the sunset. If you aren't keen to do much communicating within 160 characters, you'll be left with no other choice besides the pay-per-message option at twenty cents each (thirty cents for MMS). Fortunately, the Family Unlimited Messaging is left unscathed, continuing to offer all-you-can-eat texts for $30. Tend to do only an average bit of texting and looking to move to Ma Bell? Our friend, you'd best be making that transition before the end of this week. Update: And just like that, AT&T has confirmed this report. A spokesperson for the carrier provided the following statement, while also affirming that "current customers can keep their texting plans even if switching handsets." "We regularly evaluate our offers and are making some adjustments to our messaging lineup. Starting August 21, we're streamlining our text messaging plans for new customers and will offer an unlimited plan for individuals for $20 per month and an unlimited plan for families of up to five lines for $30 per month. The vast majority of our messaging customers prefer unlimited plans and with text messaging growth stronger than ever, that number continues to climb among new customers. Existing customers don't have to change any messaging plan they have today, even when changing handsets." [Thanks, Anonymous]
More Verizon Unleashed phones popping up, pricing confirmed
This morning's 'Unleashed' tipster has let loose a few more branded phone snapshots from his local Best Buy, further confirming Verizon's new contract free $50 unlimited talk, text, and mobile web plan. These new shots show off the same price structure we saw leaked earlier this month, as well as two more handsets: an LG Accolade, and a Pantech Caper -- both priced at $79.99. This seems a bit steep for the Accolade, a run of the mill flip phone, as this morning's tip priced the more capable LG Cosmos featurephone at a mere $39.99. Take your grain of salt, and check out the gallery below. [Thanks, Anonymous] %Gallery-122115%
First Verizon Unleashed phone gets pictured, priced at Best Buy
When a screenshot of Verizon's new 'Unleashed' pricing plan surfaced, we held our breath to see if this contract-free $50 unlimited talk and text plan was in fact too good to be true. As it turns out, more evidence has been unearthed that lends credence to the rumor. A tipster snapped the above photo of the LG Cosmos donning Unleashed attire at a local Best Buy, and went out of their way to note that the phone was priced at $39.99. We like what we're seeing here; for a full messaging phone without commitment, this is definitely an aggressive price. No additional pricing details were leaked, but we're sure savvy international texters will notice that the packaging specifically promises the option of unlimited messaging to Mexico and Canada. If the 'Unleashed' phones are already making their way into Best Buy, this could very well mean an impending launch is coming sooner than we expected. We'll continue keeping you up-to-date as we hear more. [Thanks, Anonymous]
