MetroPCS Communications Inc. launched wireless service last week in Detroit, offering flat rate plans with unlimited local and domestic long distance without a contract.
MetroPCS is offering four calling plans, with unlimited local calling for $30 or $35 per month and unlimited local and long distance calling for $40 or $45 a month. For an additional $3 monthly, customers can send and receive unlimited text messages. Services such as voice mail and caller identification are available for an additional charge with the $35 and $40 per month plans. The $45 per month plan includes voice mail, caller ID and call waiting and several other features, including unlimited text messaging.
MetroPCS picked up 10 megahertz of spectrum in Detroit from Cingular Wireless L.L.C. in late 2004 as part of required divestitures following Cingular’s acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services Inc.
“We believe we will be the natural choice of wireless service for those who live, work and play in the Detroit area,” said Pat Markey, vice president and general manager of MetroPCS Detroit.
The carrier also reported last week that it has started offering a roaming service to its customers that allows them to use their MetroPCS phones outside of their home service areas.
MetroPCS’ TravelTalk service provides roaming rates between 49 cents and 79 cents per minute for out-of-network roaming, depending on the calling area. According to MetroPCS, customers will be alerted on both inbound and outbound calls that they are using the roaming function and how much it will cost them.
MetroPCS agreed early last year to sell 10 megahertz of spectrum from its 30-megahertz block in San Francisco to Verizon Wireless. As part of that deal, the two carriers signed a 10-year roaming agreement. Leap Wireless International Inc. made a similar deal with Verizon Wireless around the same time, setting up a roaming agreement as part of a transaction that included the sale of 23 spectrum licenses and some of Leap’s network assets in Michigan.
MetroPCS provides flat-rate, no-contract wireless service to more than 2 million customers in Atlanta; Dallas; San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif.; and in Tampa and Miami, Fla., and now Detroit.
