TracFone's $45 unlimited offer to 'stun' rivals

• The introduction of Straight Talk's UNLIMITED plan, offering unlimited nationwide talk and texts, will "stun industry participants," Pali Research analyst Walter Piecyk wrote in a note to investors.
• Another analyst, Piper Jaffray's Chris Larsen concurred, saying that Leap and Boost Mobile, Sprint Nextel's prepaid unit, would be especially vulnerable. Read More »»

Lowenstein: Is TracFone the new Southwest Airlines of wireless?

• FierceWireless analyst Mark Lowenstein writes about Straight Talk: "... as a simple, low-cost, no-frills service plan for individuals, it is the best deal in the business. Decent phone, the benefits of the Verizon network--clearly branded on the box--and a price package that is dramatically lower than comparable plans available from T-Mobile USA, MetroPCS and Boost Mobile." Read More »»

Paying too much for your cell? Here's help

• …The site makes it a snap to find the best deals from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T or Sprint. But if you want the absolute lowest price, you’ll need to check into the numerous prepaid services. BillShrink does not include Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, TracFone, Net10 and Straight Talk in its analysis. “Prepaid has really taken off this last year and actually started a bit of a price war,” says Jeff Blyskal, a senior editor at Consumer Reports. Read More »»

U.S. pays most for cell service; wireless firms disagree

• As a side note, the CTIA statement mentions that some of its members offer unlimited voice and text messaging packages, including Irvine’s Boost Mobile $50 plan and Tracfone’s “Straight Talk” plan for $45... Read More »»

Tracfone Straight Talk Unlimited Prepaid Plan Details

• Tracfone recently released a new line of unlimited prepaid phone plans under the name Straight Talk. This was a very aggressive move by the prepaid wireless provider and one that has garnered quite a bit of media attention... Read More »»

• Straight Talk from The Los Angeles Times
  "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is launching a no-contract wireless service called Straight Talk. The service offers a $30 or a $45 prepaid monthly plan and will be exclusively available at more than 3,200 Wal-Mart stores nationwide…" Read More »»

   

• Reuters: Straight Talk customer response was "overwhelming."
  "Wal-Mart said it will be offering the plans nationwide on Oct. 18 after a pilot program in 234 stores this summer. It said that customer response to the program was 'overwhelming.'" Read More »»

  
  Engadget: "No-contract $30 / $45 Straight Talk wireless plans storm Walmart"
  "Three Hamiltons gets you 1,000 voice minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of mobile web access, not to mention nationwide coverage and free 411 calls. If that's not quite enough, a $45 per month option provides unlimited everything (voice/SMS /mobile web)." Read More »»

   

• Straight Talk means "new competition for U.S. wireless providers
  "Walmart could grab sales from competitors by expanding the availability of low-priced plans, even as wireless growth slows, said Michael Nelson, an analyst at Soleil/Nelson Alpha Research. Walmart is entering the fastest-growing part of the almost saturated U.S. mobile-phone market, he said.
  'Walmart has a history of being, in many cases, a category killer,' New York-based Nelson said in a telephone interview. “I would expect the increasing proportion of new wireless sales to be sold through the big box retailers and indirect dealers versus traditional, company-owned stores." Read More »»

   

• Wal-Mart Takes on Wireless Carriers
  "The behemoth discounter announced on Wednesday that it will begin offering two no-contract wireless service plans." Read More »»

   

• Gizmodo on Straight Talk
  “Walmart has been beta testing their exclusive Straight Talk no-contract wireless service for months, but now the retailer will offer two low-cost wireless plans nationwide starting October 18th, including an unlimited plan for just $45.” Read More »»
  

   

• Fierce Wireless on Straight Talk
  "Wal-Mart notes that the average U.S. adult spends $78 for 1,000 wireless minutes a month--by switching to the $30 Straight Talk plan, the same consumer could save more than $500 per year." Read More »»

   

• Straight Talk is "the tipping point"
  "NMRC (New Millennium Research) thinks that the Walmart prepaid cellphone market entry is the 'tipping point' that could lead to a serious game changer." Read More »»

   

• Straight Talk is "going to get serious attention"
  "Allen Hepner, New Millennium Research executive director... believes that the $30 plan (with 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts per month, mobile Web access and no-extra cost 411 calls, with no contract and no penalties) and the $45 plan (unlimited calling, texting, mobile Web and 411) that Wal-Mart now offers under the 'Straight Talk' brand are going to get serious attention," writes industry analyst and journalist Gary Kim. Read More »»

   

• Straight Talk and "The Invisible Hand"
  Dr. Mark J. Perry, a professor of economics and finance at the University of Michigan, says that Straight Talk is Economics' "'invisible hand' at work, bringing you the lowest cell phone prices in history." Read More »»

   

• Celebrate the Holidays and Save with Straight Talk
  "We have worked very quickly to extend this offering to all of our Walmart customers nationwide, and just before the holidays," said Greg Hall, vice president of media services at Walmart. Read More »»

   

• Straight Talk taps "vast experience in the pre-paid wireless market."
  "To become competitive in the market Walmart teamed up with TracFone Wireless (using its) vast experience in the pre-paid wireless market," according to Product Review News.Read More »»

• "Very encouraging to see the excitement"
  “It has been very encouraging to see the excitement and response to the Straight Talk pilot in 234 stores that began last summer at Walmart. In light of the savings customers continue to need, we have worked very quickly to extend this offering...,"said Greg Hall, vice president of Media Services, Walmart U.S. Read More »»

   

• Straight Talk Nationwide Rollout "inevitable"
  "The experiment has gone well enough for Wal-Mart to expand it nationwide. This was inevitable; cost-conscious consumers are naturally attracted to Straight Talk’s low-cost, high-capacity service plans." Read More »»
  

   

• Straight Talk is Nationwide
  "Walmart on Wednesday announced the availability of two new low-cost, no-contract mobile phone plans, called Straight Talk, nationwide."
  Read More »»

   

• "Text-crazy people can rejoice"
  "The icing on the cake is that you don’t even have to commit to a data plan... . There is, however at least one QWERTY phone offered, so text-crazy people can rejoice." Read More »»
  

   

• "New competition for U.S. wireless providers"
  "Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, will offer two no-contract cell phone plans for $30 and $45 a month, opening new competition for U.S. wireless providers before the holiday shopping season." Read More »»
  
  

  Trend of recession-weary consumers turning to prepaid wireless is continuing.
  "Straight Talk, which is a brand of TracFone Wireless, is the newest prepaid wireless carrier on the scene. Straight Talk is now being sold by Walmart, which is the country's largest retailer.

  This affiliation could be the 'tipping point for millions of consumers who are already considering moving away from expensive, contract-based cell phone service,' according to NMRC executive director Allen Hepner in a Thursday statement." Read More »»
  

   

• A low-priced alternative to traditional higher-priced contract plans
  Customers are attracted to prepaid plans, he said, 'because it's so convenient, you use it when you need it, and you get relatively cheap rates.' Michael Nelson, analyst with Soleil Securities Group Inc. in New York, said the plan is likely to catch on with many customers. Read More »»
  

   

• Available at Walmart: a range of Straight Talk phone products
  "Walmart is tapping into Americans’ most coveted gadget: the cell phone.
  The retailer announced an exclusive partnership with TracFone Wireless to launch Straight Talk, a no-contract cell phone plan that gives users unlimited minutes, texts and mobile Web access for $45 a month. A second plan is also available: For $15 less, users can downgrade to 1,000 minutes 1,000 texts and 30MB of Web usage. Straight Talk will be available at 3,200 Walmart stores beginning October 18.
  Customers can purchase plans and refill their monthly balances at Walmart stores or online at Walmart.com or StraightTalk.com. Also available at Walmart are a range of Straight Talk phone products priced from $39.98 to $99.88." Read More »»
  

  
  "StraightTalk service may be just what you have been waiting for."
  "Having a functional cellphone is one of the critical tools single parents need today in order to stay in contact with their children. Unfortunately all that texting, calling and Internet comes with nosebleed price tags. And if you have been looking for a way to cut down your cellphone bill, Walmart’s new Straight Talk service may be just what you have been waiting for." Read More »»
  

   

• "Just when it looked like the prepaid space couldn't get much hotter"
  "Just when it looked like the prepaid space couldn't get much hotter, Walmart announced yesterday that it will exclusively sell TracFone Wireless' Straight Talk service in more than 3,200 stores nationwide starting on Sunday.
  The no-contract service will be offered with two prepaid plans at $30 and $45 a month. Straight Talk will only be available in Walmart stores and online at walmart.com and straighttalk.com." Read More »»
  

   

• A Run For Their Money
  "Seemingly dabbling in everything, discount giant Wal-Mart now plans to give prepaid providers a run for their money.
  The store has teamed with American Movil. The pair will sell unlimited voice and text for $45 per month, under the brand Straight Talk. If you don’t need an unlimited plan, it gets even cheaper, with 1,000 minutes and 1,000 texts setting you back just $30.
  What does this mean for relatively small prepaid companies like Leap Wireless and MetroPCS? Only time will tell, but it’s certainly competition they didn’t need." Read More »»
  

  

• "Sprint and T-Mobile have already been hurt"
  "Tracfone’s Straight talk phones start with a $30 per month plan, which operates on Verizon’s network. An unlimited data plan is only $45 per month, compared to $70 monthly for an iPhone contract. Boost Mobile, Leap Wireless and MetroPCS will all need to respond competitively. The Wall Street Journal reports that Sprint and T-Mobile have already been hurt by customers switching to lower-price brands, whereas Verizon and AT&T haven’t had their businesses eaten by cheaper phone plans." Read More »»
  

   

• "Direct 411 access at no additional cost"
  “The handset lineup will consist of the entry-level LG 220 clamshell at $39.98, the LG Slider 290 at $79.98 and the Samsung 451 QWERTY keyboard slider at $99.88.

  Plans will consist of the Straight Talk “All You Need” 30-day Plan that includes 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of mobile web access along with 411 calls at no extra charge for $30 a month as well as the Unlimited 30-day Plan that includes unlimited minutes, unlimited text and unlimited mobile web access for $45 a month.” Read More »»
  

   

• Wal-Mart offers no-contract phone plans
  "In an industry dominated by AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the Straight Talk service may prove useful for people who are unable — or unwilling — to sign a two-year contract with one of the big four wireless providers in the United States." Read More »»
  
  

  Straight Talk in over 3,200 Walmart stores
  “Beginning on Sunday, October 18, Walmart shoppers will be able to walk into over 3,200 Walmart stores and purchase one of two prepaid monthly plans. The $30 Straight Talk "All You Need" plan gives users 1,000 voice minutes, 1,000 text messages, and 30MB of data for surfing the Web. The plan is active for 30 days and also comes with unlimited 411 calls. The more expensive $45 prepaid package includes unlimited calls, unlimited texts, and unlimited Web access.

  Walmart will offer a handful of phones that take advantage of its Straight Talk plans, including the LG 220 ($39.98), the LG Slider 290 ($79.98), and the Samsung 451 ($99.88) which has a full QWERTY keyboard.” Read More »»
  
  

  Walmart now offering nationwide cellphone and mobile data service
  "According to the company, they're offering two wireless plans starting October 18. The first offers 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of data for $30 a month. The second offers unlimited voice, data and SMS for $45 a month." Read More »»
  

   

• The best deal
  "If you already buy everything, from groceries to clothes to electronics, why not throw in a phone? The superstore juggernaut has teamed with wireless carrier TracFone to create Straight Talk, a dirt-cheap cellular service with no monthly contracts." Read More »»
  

   

• Motley Fool: Straight Talk is "a shot to the gut"
  "This is naturally going to be a shot to the gut of giants AT&T (NYSE: T), Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), and Verizon Wireless, who all wield costly usage plans and anchor customers to two-year commitments." Read More »»
  

   

• "The nation's cheapest prepaid unlimited wireless calling plan"
  "Starting Sunday, more than 3,200 Walmart stores will be exclusively offering Straight Talk, the nation's cheapest prepaid unlimited wireless calling plan, from Tracfone Wireless. The $45 plan lets users call, text and surf the mobile web all they want, beating a similar offer from Boost Mobile, which, priced at $50, was unprecedented when it launched in January." Read More »»
  

   

• Straight Talk puts consumers "over the edge"
  "As both the largest and cheapest prepaid provider, TracFone’s new Wal-Mart-sold plans could put millions of consumers who are already considering ditching their contracts over the edge" Read More »»
  

   

• Significant development
  "Wal-Mart jumped into the prepaid cell phone business this week with the launch of Straight Talk... I don’t want to overplay the significance of this development, but I really do believe that Wal-Mart’s presence in this field is significant, at least for entry-level mobile phones. While it would be easy for those of us who use more advanced smartphones to shrug off the Wal-Mart announcement, it would be a mistake..." Read More »»
  

   

• "Not everyone is looking to spend a lot of money on a phone"
  "Low cost and no contract are words that are going to go over very well with the wireless consumer, according to Michael Gartenberg, a vice president at Interpret.  'This Straight Talk plan from Walmart does fill an important gap in the wireless lineup. Not everyone is looking to spend a lot of money on a phone,' Gartenberg said. 'Consumers are beginning to realize that the cheap $99 phone is costing them several thousands of dollars over the course of the year.'" Read More »»
  

  

• "A phone that works at the right price -- namely, cheap!"
  "Prepaid plans mean you don't have to pay for more than you'll think you need and for many folks that's about all they want to hear. Esoteric inside-the-Beltway debates about tethering, Net neutrality, app stores, etc., are meaningless to most people. They just want a phone that works at the right price -- namely, cheap!" Read More »»
  

   

• Expert Sees 'Tipping Point' for Recession-Weary Consumers
  "The announcement Wednesday that Wal-Mart, the United States’ largest retailer, will offer a branded low-cost prepaid service, 'Straight Talk,' at the $30 and $45 levels, could end up being the 'tipping point for millions of consumers who are already considering moving away from expensive contract-based cell phone service,' according to New Millennium Research (NMRC) executive director Allen Hepner.

  While not endorsing any particular product or service, Hepner believes that the $30 plan (with 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts per month, mobile Web access and no-extra cost 411 calls, with no contract and no penalties) and the $45 plan (unlimited calling, texting, mobile Web and 411) that Wal-Mart now offers under the 'Straight Talk' brand are likely to play out as real 'head turners' for consumers who associate the massive retailer with the experience of buying goods and services at the lowest possible price." Read More »»
  

   

• Rather Successful
  "Straight Talk will offer two types of prepaid plans. The US$30 a month plan includes 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30MB of mobile web access a month. A limited number of 411 calls are also offered at no extra charge. The $45 a month plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited text, unlimited mobile access and an unlimited number of 411 calls. Both plans include nationwide coverage." Read More »»
  

  

• "That’s quite a deal."
  "I must say I’m not too surprised by this move by Walmart–you only have to look at their Great Value brand when it comes to grocery items. Oh sure, Walmart offers the traditional brands most people like, but they really push their Great Value plan because it means more money in the company’s pocket. To Walmart’s credit the Great Value brand tends to be cheaper as well.
  It makes perfect sense to take this mentality and utilize it for mobile phone service as well. Again, this is yet another way Walmart can end up with more money while also offering customers a deal. That deal is a $45 a month pre-paid plan that is unlimited everything in most respects. That’s quite a deal." Read More »»

   

• That sound you hear? Executives at T-Mobile and Sprint losing their lunch.
  "There hasn't been this much action in the mobile phone space since Gordon Gekko plotted his moves on a cell phone the size of a brick.

  The latest disruptive news comes from Walmart (WMT), of all places, which has announced plans to offer low-cost mobile service. Starting this Sunday, the big-box retailer is launching a pre-paid wireless service called "Straight Talk," which offers a $30 or $45 prepaid monthly plan available at more than 3,200 Walmart stores nationwide. The plans offer cell phone service at a major discount to existing mobile calling packages. To wit: the $30 monthly plan includes 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts, 30MB of mobile Web access, and nationwide coverage. The $45 monthly plan includes unlimited minutes, texts, mobile Web access, and nationwide coverage." Read More »»