Carriers institute aggressive pricing, again

T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless are kicking off fourth-quarter promotions with new aggressive pricing plans this week. Their move follows AT&T Wireless’ recent introduction of GSM Charter plans, which offer a generous of amount of minutes and one unlimited calling plan on its GSM network only.

T-Mobile introduced plans that compete directly with AT&T Wireless’ offerings. They include 1000 minutes for $40 and 5000 minutes for $100. Verizon Wireless increased the number of peak minutes in most markets. For its America’s Choice plans, minutes increase between 100 and 500, depending on the rate plan. Sprint PCS in mid-October overhauled its pricing plans by increasing the number of anytime voice minutes, replacing a finite number of night and weekend minutes with unlimited calling and allowing customers to add unlimited data transmission for $10 per month on plans of less than $60.

“With these changes, Verizon becomes more competitive, but still is among the higher priced carriers, alongside Nextel,” wrote Jonathan Atkin, wireless analyst with RBC Capital Markets, in a research note. T-Mobile has solidified its position as the price-cutting leader, alongside AT&T Wireless’ GSM Charter plans and Sprint PCS, he said.