Walmart yesterday announced it is expanding sales of its low-cost, no-contract Straight Talk prepaid wireless service to more than 3,200 stores nationwide. Developed in partnership with TracFone Wireless, Walmart on October 18 will begin offering two no-contract, prepaid wireless service plans.
For $30 per month, the Straight Talk “All You Need 30-day Plan” includes 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30 Mb of mobile Web access with ‘411’ information calls at no extra charge.
The “Unlimited 30-day Plan” comes with unlimited minutes, unlimited text and unlimited mobile Web access; nationwide coverage and unlimited ‘411’ information calls at no extra charge.
According to Walmart, an average US cell phone user–who spends $78 for 1,000 minutes–stands to save more than $500 per year by switching to Straight Talk’s $30 plan.
Walmart initially launched a small-scale Straight Talk pilot program last year. “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 Walmart US Media Services, in a news release.
Walmart has steadily introduced a variety of telecom services, from broadband to VoIP to wireless. Their massive footprint across the U.S. combined with their unmatched retail sales prowess makes for a considerable competitive threat, especially with a wireless value play like Straight Talk.
