Verizon:
Unlimited Voice, $99.99 a month.
With the acquisition of Alltel, Verizon is head to head with AT&T. However, with CDMA technology possibly on its last leg as a network option for Verizon, that may stymie future network growth. Note the plan only includes unlimited voice, no text or data. No family plan option available.
AT&T:
$99.99 unlimited voice.
Like Verizon, there's no option for text and data, just bolt on what you need. AT&T may also be handy if you're traveling in a foreign country, as it works on the GSM network (you still have to pay some pretty huge roaming charges). No family option available.
AT&T Prepaid:
AT&T Mobility adds a $60.00 unlimited plan to their mix, and includes unlimited text to 100 countries, including Mexico. To top it off, they also give you an airtime credit of $15 - $50 for every GoPhone you purchase.
T-Mobile:
$49.99 for unlimited calling, if you bring your own T-Mobile phone and have no contract, $59.99 if you wan't a discount on the latest phones and are willing (and able) to sign a new two year agreement. Unlimited calling for families is $99.99. With both calling plans, you have to add text and internet access, as required.
Sprint:
$99.99 for unlimited voice, text and data.
Sprint's offering is pretty complete, offering the full spectrum of cellular services in it's unlimited offering. Family plans aren't traditional family plans, but you do get a discount for additional unlimited plans on the same account.
Virgin Mobile:
$49.99 unlimited voice.
Who would have thought that unlimited plans would find their way into no-contract phones? Virgin Mobile works on the Sprint Network, and at $49.99 is a good value. Unlimited text is only $10 more, with a small data offering as well.
Boost Mobile:
$50.00 Unlimited voice , text, and web.
Currently the lowest nationwide plan available, Boost offers their full suite of services for only $50 a month, a price hard to beat. You do lose a little bit for that price, however. Boost works on Nextel's IDEN network, which is not being built out as quickly as Sprint's CDMA network. The text messaging is slow between providers and the web is all text based. Value services at a value price.
Winners: Consumers who are tired of worrying about overages can pick an unlimited plan from nearly any carrier and know that their bill remain the same month after month.
Losers: People who don't make phone calls enough to warrant an unlimited plan. It's always a good idea to watch your usage. If it's over 1000 minutes, an unlimited plan is a great value. If you're well under, do some comparison first. Remember, with most carriers, it doesn't require a new commitment to get a new rate plan, and with Boost, Virgin Mobile and GoPhones, you can just toss the phone if it's not to your liking.
