AT&T counters Verizon’s Unlimited calling offer with a $69.99 plan of Its own.

Well boys and girls it appears the carrier wars are upon us. Earlier this morning Verizon Wireless announced a big change to its unlimited plan offerings by introducing lower cost monthly plans for its subscribers, down to $69.99. In an immediate response, AT&T countered Verizon’s offer and reduced its unlimited calling plan by $29 dollars. So for a single line, monthly service will go from $99.99 down to $69.99. I personally think AT&T did it just to tick Verizon off, by announcing a plan match on the same day as Verizon, and making them available on the same day, which will be January 18. Existing AT&T customers should be able to switch to the new plans without extending their contracts or a penalty. MG Siegler over at Tech Crunch offered up these additional details.

AT&T customers with “feature phones” will now have the option to get unlimited voice minutes for $69.99 a month. Text message plans will remain $20 a month for unlimited usage, so they’re matching Verizon’s $89.99 unlimited voice + text offering too. But wait, before you get all excited, you should note that “feature phones” do not include BlackBerry or iPhone. They are apparently a “smartphones” which is different in AT&T’s eyes (and Verizon’s for that matter). Smartphone owners will have the option to get unlimited voice plus data for $99.99, which is still a nice discount over previous unlimited BlackBerry or iPhone plans which ran $129.99.

But what really sucks with these “unlimited” voice and data plans for the BlackBerry and iPhone is that you’ll still have to pay $20 on top of that if you want unlimited texting too. So that’s $119.99 for truly unlimited PDA usage. Again, cheaper than it was, but come on, why can’t we include text messaging? Because the carriers would make a lot less money without that rip-off pricing in play, that’s why.

You can read the full AT&T’s press release below.

DALLAS, Jan. 15, 2010 – AT&T* today announced new unlimited plans across all devices –including its industry-leading lineup of smartphones — to provide more value and choice for customers who want to talk, text and surf on the nation’s fastest 3G network.

“With more than twice the number of smartphone customers as our nearest competitor, we are committed to offering great value and choice for customers who want to talk, text and surf on the nation’s fastest 3G network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Our new plans reflect customers’ continuing desire to do more with their phones – including talking and browsing the Web at the same time.  Plus these new plans make it even more attractive to choose AT&T which already offers customers the best 3G experience and the industry’s most popular and innovative devices.”

The new plans, which will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 18, can be ordered at AT&T’s 2,200 company-owned retail stores and kiosks, through convenient online service at www.att.com, or at one of the thousands of authorized AT&T retail locations.

• Feature Phone customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99. Family Talk customers (prices assume two lines) may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month.  Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals and $30 for Family Talk plans.

• Quick Messaging Device customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99 and Family Talk plans may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month (for two lines). These plans require a minimum of $20 per month for individual plans and $30 per month for Family Talk plans in texting and/or Web browsing packages for new and upgrading customers.

• All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99.  For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Beginning Monday, existing AT&T customers can change to any of the new plans without penalty or contract extension with the online account management tool at www.att.com/wireless.