Pocket cuts unlimited local calling rate to $25

San Antonio-based carrier Pocket Communications introduced a pair of new rate plans, including one that starts at $25 per month, in an attempt to attract users to its flat-rate calling service.
Pocket has a track record of shaking up the south Texas market with its offerings, which have prompted local price changes by larger competitor Leap Wireless International Inc.
In most of its markets, for example, Leap offers five pricing plans that range from $30 to $60 per month. In some Texas markets such as San Antonio, however, Leap has tweaked its prices slightly-a dollar or so up or down, depending on the plan-presumably to make its offerings more attractive.
Pocket previously offered two calling plans at $28 and $37 per month. Now, the company has lowered the price of its unlimited local calling plan-which includes text and picture messaging-from $28 to $25. For $30 per month, users can now choose a calling plan that adds unlimited long distance. At the $35 per month price point, the company throws in unlimited text messaging to Mexico and functions such as caller ID, voicemail, call waiting and forwarding, and three-way calling. Pocket also introduced a $40 per month plan, which includes all the perks of the others plus unlimited directory assistance and Web access.
Leap’s Cricket brand doesn’t offer an identical plan, but its $49 per month plan includes free international text messaging to Mexico. A $44 per month plan includes many of the same options as the Pocket plan, but also includes unlimited coverage in all Cricket markets and 100 international minutes to Mexican landlines, though it does not include text messaging to Mexico.
Pocket said earlier this week that it now has approximately 170,000 customers.