It seems like everyone is getting into the cell phone business these days. The monster that is Walmart, has joined forces with Tracfone and will offer customers 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30MB of data for $30 per month. Not a bad deal. For those that want more, the Straight Talk Unlimited plan offers unlimited minutes, texts and data for $45 per month. Will customers being very budget conscience these days, these look like great deals. Until you look at the phone selection. If you are a power user, I don’t think any of the phones in this picture are going to do it for you.
Walmart To Launch Straight Talk Exclusively, Nationwide
No-Contract Wireless Plans Starting at $30 a Month
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Dedicated to providing families affordable wireless solutions, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) announces today it will launch Straight Talk, a new solution in no-contract cellular, exclusively at more than 3,200 Walmart stores nationwide starting October 18, 2009. Straight Talk will bring to the market a new low price for no-contract wireless service with two prepaid plans now available to customers nationwide at $30 and $45 a month. Straight Talk will only be available in Walmart stores and online at www.Walmart.com and www.StraightTalk.com.
The average U.S. adult spends $78 on his or her cell phone bill to receive 1000 minutes a month.* By switching to the $30 Straight Talk plan, for example, the average 1,000 minutes-per-month consumer could save more than $500 per year and still be on a reliable nationwide network.
To help drive down no-contract wireless pricing for customers, Walmart will launch Straight Talk providing customers the following two options:
* Straight Talk “All You Need” 30-day Plan that includes the following for only $30 a month:
o 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of mobile web access
o Nationwide coverage
o 411 Information calls at no extra charge* Straight Talk’s Unlimited 30-day Plan that includes the following for $45 a month:
o Unlimited minutes, unlimited text and unlimited mobile web access
o Nationwide coverage
o Unlimited 411 Information calls at no extra charge“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,” said Greg Hall, vice president of Media Services, Walmart U.S. “In light of the savings customers continue to need, we have worked very quickly to extend this offering to all of our Walmart customers nationwide, and just before the holidays.”
Consumers may refill their monthly balances by buying refill cards at Walmart, or by registering online at www.Walmart.com or www.StraightTalk.com. Also available at Walmart are a range of Straight Talk phone products to suit different needs, from the entry-level LG 220 flip phone at $39.98, to the LG Slider 290 at $79.98 to the Samsung 451 QWERTY keyboard phone at $99.88.
More information about Straight Talk no-contract wireless services is available at www.Walmart.com or www.StraightTalk.com.
Straight Talk is an exclusive Walmart service developed with TracFone Wireless, Inc. TracFone Wireless currently sells TracFone and NET10 prepaid wireless phones and airtime at Walmart stores and online at www.walmart.com.
* Source: Nielsen Mobile Bill Panel Data
About Walmart
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.
About TracFone Wireless
TracFone Wireless, Inc. is a subsidiary of America Movil (NYSE: AMX, Nasdaq: AMOV) and has more no-contract cell phone customers than any other carrier in the U.S.
Kutty, the main thing I would mention to anyone considering switching to pre-paid cell phones, however, is that you should figure out first whether you can reduce your current cell bills down to acceptable levels–thereby saving often significant "early termination fees." Not to blatantly plug, but I work for the consumer advocacy website http://www.fixmycellbill.com, powered by a company called Validas, where we slash the average cell bill by 22 percent. It costs five bucks to implement our suggested changes to your plan but we will analyze your bill for free without any commitment of purchase, just to let you know exactly how many dollars your carrier is ripping you off by.
For more info, check out Validas on Fox News at http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/conlaw/… .
Good luck to everyone reading on cutting your wireless costs, especially in this tough economy.
Dylan
Consumer Advocacy, fixmycellbill.com
I have recently switched to this product (the unlimited $45 option) and am very pleased so far. I was very skeptical that the service would be as good as I had on my contracted phone but thought to try it anyway. I am amazed by the fact that my coverage seems to be far better now. I heard it works on the Verizon network, which would explain it. Anyway, the ~$50 I save monthly is a very sweet deal. Better coverage is just bonus! I'm also getting used to the joys of not getting a monthly bill with all kinds of hidden charges added…
Just Googled and read the whole article and i must have to say that me and my husband loved reading your post. I liked your site because i am almost illiterate about mobile phones and was thinking of buying a new cell phone for my daughter. Now reading many reviews i am really confused so if you can suggest me which mobile phone should i buy for my teenage daughter i would appreciate the great advice. We bookmarked and will regularly check more updates to come from your website. Thanks.
Hey guys, I heard about the new samsung SGH-T401G coming out by tracfone. I just want to know when it will come out and how much it will be. I hae tried to do some research and on yahoo.com it said something about late January. NEED HELP with the research of this phone. I am falling for it already and need some help.
I have Straight Talk. I previously had Verizon then switched to AT&T but the bills were CRAZY!.
When I heard about Straight Talk I couldn't believe it but got it from Walmart and have had it now for 2 months and it is just sick! I'd heard that it was on Verizon and the coverage is rock steady, so yeah!
I also recently switched to Straight Talk and I couldn't be happier with the service. I have never used a prepaid company before and I was a bit wary, but Straight Talk's quality has won me over. I was paying over $100 a month with my previous carrier so Straight Talk's $45 unlimited use plan is great and I no longer worry about overage fees or contracts. I was having trouble always loosing my calls, but being on Straight Talk's Verizon network means that I have finally stopped receiving messages four days after they were sent. Even the selection of phones impressed me – they are more affordable and accessible than my previous carrier. Walmart and Straight Talk really have the best deal going.
hey everyone john here, and i been doing my little research because my contract cellphone will be over soon and i don't want any more contracts. I can't afford them anyway? now i have a couple of questions about straighttalk, because all i seem to hear is good things, i was hoping you guys could clear some things up for me. Does straighttalk offer international calling? and if it does will it be included in the unlimited plan for $45/month?