Doesn't MetroPCS offer unlimited calling and texting for 40 bucks?
MetroPCS.com says "Our cellular plans from MetroPCS offers talk-all-you-want service in five basic cellular plans priced at $30, $35, $40, $45 or $50 - options and services vary depending on the level of service you choose. MetroPCS has more than 6 million subscribers and offers customers flat rate cellular plans with unlimited minutes, no signed contracts, no activation fees and your first month of service FREE! "
The plans are a little confusing so I won't try to make sense of them. Seems like at the max, Metro is $50/month though, so I don't see how the charge could apply to them.
Since all the major carriers compete with each other, it makes sense that their plans would all be about the same. They're probably all in agreement with each other not to go below a certain price because that would bring them all down in the end. They want to keep up their racket for as long as possible.