Forget about counting minutes. In an strange synchronicity, three major carriers — AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile — announced Tuesday unlimited wireless plans for voice.

The plans are targeted at heavy users, such as business customers. Verizon Wireless told news media that third-party research has indicated as many as 15 percent of wireless customers in the U.S. would be interested in unlimited plans.

Flat Rate of $99.99

Verizon’s Nationwide Unlimited Anytime Minute Plans, available immediately, allow subscribers to shout anyone at anytime for a flat rate of $99.99 monthly. Its new BroadBandAccess Plans, available March 2, offer two options for documents — 50MB for $39.99 per month and a five-gigabyte option for $59.99, with average download speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 megabits.

AT&T’s unlimited calling plan is additionally $99.99, with no domestic roaming or long-distance charges, and is available beginning Friday. It said existing customers can choose unlimited calling without extending their contract, and new customers have

the option of a month-to-month, 12-month or 24-month contract.

For notes, AT&T offers a variety of plans, including $5 monthly for 200 text, picture, video and instant messages, and $35 monthly for unlimited messaging and Media Net access. The company said these plans are for “standard wireless phones,” not smartphones, PDAs or Apple’s iPhone.

T-Mobile USA’s plan offers unlimited nationwide wireless calling and unlimited messaging for $99.99 monthly, beginning Thursday. that includes not only voice, but text messaging, picture messaging and IM. Its MyFaves plans, which it described as “affordable unlimited calling plans suited for a majority” of the company’s customers, start at $39.99 monthly for unlimited calls to “your five favorite humans.”

‘Highly Competitive Market’

In making the announcement, AT&T Mobility president and CEO Ralph de la Vega said that “this is a highly competitive market and we’re committed to moving fast to meet customer needs.”

Competition is…

Orginal post by Top Tech News