According to research firm Current Analysis, Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) has discontinued its Unlimited Any Mobile offering, which was available in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and select markets in Texas, Tennessee and Florida.
Verizon's Unlimited Any Mobile service provided unlimited voice calling and texting to any mobile number in the United States, regardless of service provider. The carrier introduced the service in August 2010 in Texas and Louisiana, and then expanded the service to cover a number of additional markets. The service offered unlimited talk and text to any mobile number, plus 450 anytime minutes, for $64.99 per month.
"This move makes sense given that the new Share Everything plans include unlimited calling and messaging," wrote Current Analysis' Jamie Huff. "In addition, it can be assumed that Verizon determined the new Share Everything plans are more attractive than the Unlimited Any Mobile plans so why complicate its plan structure with a regional offer when the industry is clearly moving towards shared data."
Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney said that customers currently signed up for Verizon's Unlimited Any Mobile plans will be able to keep the plans, but that the plans are no longer available to new Verizon customers.
Interestingly, Current Analysis confirmed Verizon will continue to offer the 65 Plus, Nation Plus Canada and Nation Plus Mexico plans with the same messaging and data options that were previously offered.
Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) kicked off the market for unlimited calling to any mobile number in September 2009 with its introduction of "Any Mobile, Anytime." AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) subsequently joined the game in February 2011 with its "Mobile to Any Mobile" offering. AT&T and Sprint's offerings are nationwide.
Verizon's new "Share Everything" plans launched June 28. All of the plans include unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text, video and picture messaging and a single data allowance that can be shared among up to 10 Verizon devices. In addition, the carrier's Mobile Hotspot service on all the devices is included in the Share Everything Plans at no additional charge. Customers are free to keep their existing plans, but there is no fee or contract extension to move to the new Share Everything plans.
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Article updated July 5 with comment from Verizon.