By Manny Ruiz
I have more family and friends fumbling with calling cards then I care to count so when I read today’s announcement from MetroPCS I was happily shocked to see that Mexico and a bunch of other Latin American countries are part of a new, flat $5 unlimited international calling plan (see the press release posted below). Through the years I’ve seen several companies offering VOIP-related calling plans for Latin America and those are not bad options but in the world of wireless carriers targeting Hispanics with family abroad (that’s most of us), this is a potential game changer. AT&T, Verizon and other wireless companies will need a strong PR battle plan because the stakes have been raised.
MetroPCS is First North American Carrier to Offer Unlimited International Calling for $5 per Month
– Unlimited plan includes over 100 countries and more than 1,000 destinations
DALLAS, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Continuing to provide consumers with the most economical, unlimited, wireless service in the United States, MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE:PCS), the nation’s leading provider of unlimited, flat-rate, no signed contract wireless communications service, announces unlimited calling to over 100 countries for $5 per month. MetroPCS customers will be able to make unlimited international calls to more than 100 countries, including more than 1,000 destinations, without any additional charges.
MetroPCS offers a diverse selection of wireless service plans, which allows customers to talk 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, and provides enhanced service options so customers can create a wireless experience that best fits their lifestyles. With MetroPCS service, customers pay by the month, not by the minute, and services do not require a signed contract, deposit or credit check. For an additional $5 a month, unlimited international calling can be added to MetroPCS’ $40, $45 and $50 service plans, including family plans, which already include unlimited long distance service to the 48 continental United States and Puerto Rico. The first month of service is free with the purchase of a phone and there is no activation fee or hidden charges.
“Unlimited international calling at such an affordable rate can dramatically reduce monthly long distance costs and is yet another example of MetroPCS’ commitment to providing industry-leading value to consumers in today’s tough economic climate,” said Roger D. Linquist, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of MetroPCS. “MetroPCS is eliminating the worry of high international calling fees, counting minutes and dialing a connecting number, typical of traditional calling cards. With MetroPCS’ international calling, consumers are truly unlimited now more than ever.”
MetroPCS’ service plans range from $30 to $50 per month and allow subscribers to talk all they want, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. MetroPCS offers unlimited family plans and MetroPCS Unlimited Nationwide(SM) which allows MetroPCS subscribers to use their affordable, flat-rate, no signed contract service in more than 4,600 cities and towns throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. This expanded network is included at no additional charge in MetroPCS’ current $45 and $50 service plans and can be added for $5 per month on other qualified service plans.
Consumers can visit any of MetroPCS’ current authorized dealer locations or visit MetroPCS’ Web site at www.metropcs.com for more information about plans and coverage as well as the international locations covered by unlimited international calling.
I would like to know does it mean if I go to mexico like monterrey I would be able to call from monterrey mexico to da u.s for $5 a month . Or is it just from the u.s to mexico calling only. Answer A.S.A.P