MetroPCS targets Mexican calling-card users

Regional wireless provider MetroPCS Communications today introduced unlimited calling to select locations in Mexico for $3 per month. The new plan includes the ability to make unlimited calls to landlines in more than 200 cities throughout Mexico, as well as send unlimited SMS text messages to customers on any of four Mexican wireless operators – America Movil, Telefonica, Nextel Mexico and Iusacell.

MetroPCS appears to be going after a growing population of Hispanics living in the United States, of which nearly 60% are of Mexican descent. Many of these consumers rely on calling cards that typically charge from one to 10 cents a minute and often don’t deliver on the number of minutes or price promised. According to Metro, it is the first carrier to offer unlimited calling to Mexico.

MetroPCS is also looking for new markets and expanding its offerings as the prepaid space becomes the most competitive in wireless. Like fellow regional CDMA provider Leap Wireless, Metro has gained customers from landline cutters, other regional providers and potentially even tier-one carriers in its established markets. It’s low cost, unlimited service plans have also spurred a movement among its competitors, including Boost Mobile and T-Mobile, to offer similar plans. Both Leap and Metro reported substantial subscriber growth  in the last quarter and expect it to continue throughout the year. The carriers announce their respective earnings for the first quarter on May 7th.

Metro’s new $3 Mexico calling plan can be added to MetroPCS’ pay-by-the-month plans of $35 to $50 a month. These contract-free plans also include unlimited long-distance service to any of the 48 states Metro covers or has roaming agreements for with Leap. The first month of service is free with the purchase of a phone, and there are no activation fees or other charges, according to the company.