AT&T, Verizon Drop Pricing

Let the race to zero begin? Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc., within mere hours of each other, have both announced unlimited calling plans for under $100.

Verizon announced that its flat-rate, $99.99 plan will include unlimited calling, including all roaming and long-distance charges. It can be combined with any data plan.

About five hours later on Tuesday, AT&T announced an almost identical pricing structure for all devices. Existing customers can choose unlimited calling without extending their contract. New customers have the option of a month-to-month, 12 or 24 month contract.

Analysts say that No. 3 provider Sprint Nextel will be pressured to make a similar move.