Washington, April 16 (RHC-Reuters) -- Boost Mobile, part of U.S. telecom giant Sprint Corp, on Thursday launched a prepaid plan for U.S. consumers calling and messaging to Cuba, taking advantage of relaxed U.S. commercial regulations, Reuters news agency reports.

Boost Mobile offers cheap, prepaid wireless service to consumers with no need for long-term subscription contracts.

The company announced a $50 monthly plan, describing it as the lowest introductory rate per minute among prepaid carriers to call Cuba and includes unlimited messaging.

Last month U.S.-based IDT Corp reached an agreement with Cuba's Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba SA (ETECSA) to provide direct international long distance service.