Sprint trumps competition with flat-rate voice and data plan

By Giselle Abramovich

February 29, 2008

Sprinting ahead

Upping the ante for the competition, Sprint is now offering a domestic unlimited pricing plan that gives customers unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect for $99.99 a month.

This announcement comes soon after rival wireless carriers Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA ratcheted up their rivalry with all-you-can-eat voice plans for $99.99 a month. These announcements are reflective of the growing commoditization of voice services, thus paving the way for value-added data services to act as the brand differentiator.

“We are offering the customer what he or she really wants – unlimited data,” said Laura Lisec, spokeswoman at Sprint, Overland Park, KS. “As opposed to just unlimited voice, data is a growing trend. People are doing everything with mobile phones and we are moving forward with the trend to capture that market share of people.”

The $99.99 Simply Everything plan is available to customers on both Sprint's CDMA and iDEN networks. Existing Sprint customers can switch to the Simply Everything plan without extending their current contract either by contacting Sprint customer service or by stopping by any participating Sprint retail location.

Verizon was first to announce its Nationwide Unlimited Anytime Minute calling plans, followed quickly by AT&T. T-Mobile USA was not far behind with its own announcement.

"All major carriers have good voice networks," said Dan Hesse, president/CEO of Sprint Nextel, in a statement.

"Our network is about more than voice and more than just being the largest wireless data network,” he said. “It is about allowing customers to connect with people, information and entertainment. It is about simplicity, usability and real value. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan eliminates overage surprises and provides a worry-free environment.”