MetroPCS - $40 Unlimited Cell Phone Service?

As a new Third Generation cellular phone carrier, MetroPCS has infiltrated several major city markets. Founded in 2002, MetroPCS offers the consumer the option for personal choice over the selection of specific phone services utilized. Corporately located in Dallas, Texas, MetroPCS first launched cellular phone service in Atlanta, South Florida and Sacramento. More recently, MetroPCS has expanded service into several other major cities, including their home market in Dallas, Texas. The marketing strategy and success of the company lies within the guarantee of no contract commitments and consumer selected services. The plan is basic with optional services added at the consumers discretion. This may be advantageous to the consumer depending on the level of phone service you desire.

With an advertising campaign boasting unlimited phone service for as little as $40 per month, MetroPCS, is awakening cellular phone competition. This basic $40 monthly plan comes with no contract, no activation fee and allows you to keep your existing cell phone number. However, this $40 basic plan does not come standard with all of the features you may normally find on a plan with a national cellular phone company. Let's consider this further:

Free Domestic Long Distance
The operative word here is "domestic". While the plan boasts you can obtain free unlimited domestic calls, this is restricted to the 48 states. For consumers making calls to Alaska and Hawaii, additional charges will apply.

Unlimited Text Messaging
What is not mentioned here is the service cost of $3 per month. When compared to national cell phone carriers, this rate may not be a cost savings as most cell phone companies will provide free text messaging, inclusive to the plan, and then allow unlimited text messaging at a comparable rate.

Unlimited Picture Talk
Again, what is not mentioned is the monthly service fee of $5. Somewhat less expensive than the national cellular carriers, but again, not part of the $40 basic monthly plan.

Call Waiting, Voice Mail and Caller ID
For a nominal $3 per month (basic) or $5 per month (enhanced), you can obtain the services that are considered inclusive to the plans under the major carriers. Again, this may only present a cost savings to the consumer if you plan to never use these services and, therefore, do not add the service to your plan.

Unlimited 411 vs. Metro411
Okay, here is an interesting "perk". For a fee of $2 month, you receive unlimited Directory Assistance services. However, should you wish to receive Metro411, a digital enhancement allowing access to ringtones, weather, movies and restaurant information, an additional fee may apply. The fees for these enhanced services will vary and, at this point, an account will need to be established with direct funding to pay for these services as they are used. Sort of a "pre-pay" account.

As a "cellular-saavy" consumer, a switch to MetroPCS should be considered very thoughtfully. While boasting a $40 per month - unlimited calls, you may be losing the benefits considered inclusive with your national carrier. To obtain the normally packaged services of a national carrier, under MetroPCS, you can expect to add text messaging at $3 per month, picture talk at $5 per month, enhanced voice mail, caller ID and voice mail at $5 per month and access to Directory Assistance at $2 per month. Your total for the plan: $55 plus taxes, surcharges and "local" fees. Additionally, ringtones, games, and a "quasi" web-based access program are additional.