On the heels of this weeks news that T-Mobile and Aio Wireless will soon tangle in court, it seems they will also start tangling in a nationwide battle for customers. Aio Wireless announced yesterday afternoon that they would begin their nationwide rollout of prepaid service beginning in mid-September.

As it stands today, Aio is available to customers in markets in Florida, Texas and the Metro-Atlanta area through over 200 dealer-owned Aio stores and through the Aio website.  Also customers in the Chicago area can currently activate Aio service online.

A cursory glance at the rate plans shows comparable pricing to T-Mobile’s Monthly4G rate plans, save for the $70 plan on T-Mobile being unlimited against Aio’s 7GB cap. It appears by most accounts T-Mobile remains the better value and that’s a good thing, since Aio has T-Mobile in their sights and I assume we’ll see marketing in the near future that pits the two against each other.

The biggest takeaway I get from AT&T’s launch of Aio is that T-Mobile’s pricing, marketing and general moves in the wireless business are having an impact. There was a time, maybe as little as six months ago that T-Mobile was an afterthought for AT&T and Verizon. Now, T-Mobile’s making moves and forcing the rest of the industry to react and that’s a great thing.

Aio Wireless

Starting mid-September all U.S. customers will be able to purchase first-class, no-contract wireless from Aio online

Plus, new Aio customers who activate service by Sept. 29, 2013, can get their third month of service free**

Alpharetta, GA – August 29, 2013 – Aio Wireless’ first-class service with no annual contract is scheduled to be available online (www.aiowireless.com) to all U.S. customers starting in mid-September.  Aio is currently available to customers in markets in Florida, Texas and the Metro-Atlanta area through over 200 dealer-owned Aio stores and through the Aio website.   Also customers in the Chicago area can currently activate Aio service online.

Additionally, new customers who activate service in stores or online by September 29, 2013 will be able to participate in Aio’s special Fall promotion and get their third month of service free (conditions apply**).

“We invite customers across the country to switch to Aio and experience our first class service with no annual contracts,” said Jennifer Van Buskirk, president of Aio Wireless. “We want to make it easy for consumers almost anywhere in the US to get great value in their wireless service, with the network coverage and experience they deserve, and devices they can be proud to own.”

Aio makes wireless easy with a friendly in-store and online experience and three simple plans to choose from. All three plans include unlimited talk, text, and data-with a pre-established amount of high-speed access, including 4G LTE.  Plans range from $40 to $70 per month, with taxes and fees included.

Aio customers may choose from a selection of smartphones, tablets, and feature phones from Samsung, Nokia, ZTE, and others. Customers may also bring a device they love to an Aio store for activation on the Aio network or activate online at www.aiowireless.com.  Or, they may bring a qualifying wireless phone to an Aio store to trade-in for a credit* towards an upgraded phone or accessory.

For more information visit www.aiowireless.com, www.facebook.com/aiowireless and www.twitter.com/aiowireless.

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About Aio Wireless

Aio Wireless (pronounced A-O) was created for today’s value-conscious connected consumers who want it all.  We created a new class of service for individuals who expect a first class wireless service at a value price – one with no-annual contract, friendly service, uncomplicated plans and the mobile phones and tablets you love.   All of Aio’s phone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, with taxes and fees included – the price you see is the price you pay. Aio Wireless is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) Visit www.aiowireless.com to find out more.