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Jan. 8, 2010

Metro PCS says that it's getting ready for the rollout of some new wireless service plans beginning Monday, according to store managers for independent authorized PCS dealers.

Overall, most dealers declined to give specific details of the new service plans, but some did acknowledge that there are some changes coming for the prepaid wireless carrier.

As an example, a Waco, Texas dealer who specifically asked not to be identified called the new PCS service plans "positive news," and dealers in Pennsylvania and Florida said the new plans would be released by PCS Monday.

The fact that all dealers are so quiet about it might have something to do with this week's CES Show in Vegas, however. Maybe they are also under PCS' rules not to disclose any information at the risk of loosing their dealership. At any rate, it is almost total silence, least for now...

A company spokesman did confirm that Metro PCS would have an announcement "sometime next week" but strongly declined to provide specifics.

More details may emerge during a sell-side analyst meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Some are now saying that MetroPCS might include taxes in its $40 per month service plans. Such a move would help the wireless carrier better compete with Boost Mobile's all-inclusive, flat-rate plans, which include all taxes and fees.

This assertion is based on interviews held with MetroPCS independent dealers, and some think that PCS would no longer be offering a free first month of service to customers.

Instead, the fee for the first month reportedly will go to dealers as a commission.

Additionally, there are also reports that all MetroPCS locations, including dealers, would be able to handle customers' technical needs such as adding lines and changing plans. This would be a first for Metro PCS.

Another MetroPCS dealer that asked not to be identified has suggested that the company may be getting ready to add postpaid-type service plans to some of its offerings.

He hinted that MetroPCS is considering plans to begin offering one-year contracts in the first or second quarter of this year.

PCS users who sign up for the one-year contracts would get a new, low-end phone every year. It is not clear if MetroPCS will adopt the new services plans, which would be a major strategic departure for the no-contract mobile carrier.

After Metro PCS has officially made its plans public by Dec. 12, it will be interesting to see its rivals reactions to the news and what they might intend to do about PCS' latest marketing initiatives.

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Source: TMNA.