Life is not easy for regional carriers these days. With the biggest carriers in America starting to compete more on price, the little guy could see more and more customers defecting. All they can do is keep their prices in line and try to fight back. U.S. Cellular is trying that, as they introduced new unlimited calling plan in an attempt to combat the recent changes by both Verizon and AT&T. The price appears to be in line with the two bigger carriers, and for smarphone users it might come out slightly cheaper. The individual unlimited plan is almost exactly the same, checking in at $69.99. U.S. Cellular also offers unlimited messaging for $20, furthering the similarities. Yet there’s one difference Both AT&T and Verizon have a $30 BlackBerry package which includes email and Web. U.S. Cellular undercuts that by $5 per month. So while the basic talk and text features are the same, U.S. Cellular’s data pricing does come in a bit under. It’s not significant, but certainly something to consider. Customers can save even more by signing up for a lower text messaging plan and taking advantage of U.S. Cellular’s free incoming text messages. Families can also take advantage of the unlimited plans. A two-line plan costs $120, with unlimited voice for both, and additional lines cost $50. So, for a family of five, all with unlimited plans, the bill would be $370 per month. Add in text messaging plans and it’s hefty, but probably worth it for heavy talkers. No one wants to get into overage charges. Those run 25 to 50 cents per minute on U.S. Cellular. Despite being a regional carrier, U.S. Cellular does offer nationwide roaming included in every plan. That gives it a leg up on other regional carriers, though it seems like those carriers have been expanding roaming areas over the past few years.
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I’m sorry but that is not even competitive, especially when you compare it to my Straight Talk unlimited everything plan, that’s unlimited talk, texts and data for only $45 per month. And Straight Talk runs on Verizon’s network nationwide which is the superior network according to Consumer Reports. I’ve got a really groovy qwerty phone, am I giving away my age here by saying ‘groovy’, anyway the phone’s really great so I don’t need the BlackBerry or smartphones.
I have been a customer of US Cellular for 10 years and I would absolutely hate to see them pushed out by the “big guys” their pricing has always been competitive and, given that you get free incoming minutes and free mobile to mobile (and I pay $10 extra to have nights and weekends which start at 7pm. not 9pm like Verizon) it is quite a bit cheaper in the long run. I have good coverage, I can use my phone at work and Verizon customers stand outside to get a signal. I drive from NH to Bangor, ME and never lose my signal. Their customer service is excellent! The only issues I have had is with their rebate department but, customer service always takes care of it. I know in some areas of the country Verizon and At&t have good service but, in the North East, US Cellular offers very good service for a very good price.