Cingular to offer $5 unlimited in-network messaging option

Cingular Wireless L.L.C. is upping the ante in the messaging game with plans to offer an unlimited in-network messaging plan to rival similar offerings from Verizon Wireless and others. The offering will allow existing or new Cingular customers who subscribe to either a messaging bundle or data plan to add unlimited in-network messaging to their service for $5 per month.
Cingular plans to introduce the new option Sunday.
Cingular’s new option will only be available to customers who purchase a messaging or data bundle. Thus, a customer who purchases Cingular’s $5 “messaging starter” plan, which includes 200 messages to any number, would be able to add an unlimited in-network messaging option to that plan for an additional $5. The same is true for customers of Cingular’s data-access plans, including “MEdia Basic” and MEdia Works.”
The in-network option, similar to the in-network calling option available from most carriers, allows Cingular customers to send unlimited messages to any other Cingular subscriber. The offering covers text, picture and video messages, but not instant messages.
Verizon Wireless’ messaging plans include unlimited in-network messaging and start at $10 for 500 messages to any number. T-Mobile USA Inc. offers an unlimited messaging option to any number for $15, while Sprint Nextel offers an unlimited messaging plan to any number for $10.