Unlimited calling from Alltel concentrates on voice

Another day, another wireless carrier announcing an unlimited calling plan. This time it's Alltel, though surprisingly, its plan may not be as bold as its competitors'.

Today, without a lot of fanfare, Alltel Wireless launched its "My Circle" unlimited calling plan for $99.99 per month, joining the likes of T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint. Alltel's plan offers unlimited voice and long distance, though text and photo messages are not included.

There's also a possible, significant downside: Alltel subscribers who use prepaid mobile phones or smartphones are not eligible for the plan, and Alltel did not indicate whether this is a temporary or permanent stance.

The "My Circle" plan lets users have unlimited calling to five, 10 or 20 phone users on any network, for better prices than $99.99 per month.

By comparison, Sprint Nextel's "Simply Everything" unlimited calling plan has the most perks, with Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect bundled in its $99.99 monthly charge. T-Mobile's $99.99 plan includes unlimited text and photo messages, while similar offers from Verizon Wireless and AT&T include unlimited voice only.

Wireless carriers in the United States have had to play their hands shrewdly, bundling new features with unlimited calling plans to stay competitive. Carriers are now placing a greater emphasis on additional options such as text messaging and GPS, along with network speeds.