US Cellular joins the ranks of carriers with unlimited calling plans
By Michael Hatamoto | Published February 22, 2008, 5:39 PM
US Cellular is the latest mobile phone service provider to introduce an unlimited national calling plan, as the company officially introduced a $99 plan that will soon be available to its six million users in 26 states.
In addition to the $99 unlimited national calling plan, US Cellular also announced a $14.95 unlimited text messaging plan as well as a $9.95 unlimited data package plan.
The phone provider already has a $69.94 per month plan that offers 900 anytime minutes, unlimited "easyedge" wireless data access, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited nights and weekend minutes that start at 7 pm, incoming text and picture messages for free, along with free activation.
But US Cellular may not offer unlimited data and phone minutes together, so just how many customers may be excited by this new offer is uncertain. The carrier says it will provide further details on the new plan soon.
Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile also introduced unlimited calling plans earlier in the week, igniting a new discount battle. AT&T's unlimited calling plan has officially taken effect, while similar plans from Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile will go into effect soon. Sprint offers an unlimited package that bundles voice, text, and data for $119 per month, but hasn't offered the promotion to many of its markets.
Now that users have similar unlimited domestic calling plans to choose from, they're paying more attention to the speed of the carriers' networks and their data coverage options, rather than just their voice minutes options alone.
I pay about $70 a month for unlimited minutes, web, text, MM messaging. This is a Cellular One contract though, which is now owned by ATT, so I don't know how long I will be able to keep it. Hopefully these companies will get a little more competitive with their pricing.
Score: 0
|Cricket is half of that AND includes unlimited texting... no contract required either.
Score: 0
|I pay $140 a month..
For TWO PHONE ACCOUNTS (Suncom). Both with unlimited calling, web, and SMS. One for me, for business. The other for a 14 year old daughter who won't shut up. :P
Been with them on an unlimited plan for more than 5 years on my main account!!! It's about time the rest of the industry felt some pressure to change.
Score: 0
|Their motto should be: SUNcom, our waves won't burn your neck any redder than it already is!
(Coverage area: North Carolina, South Carolina, portions of Tennessee & Georgia, plus Puerto Rico)
and Cricket hasn't gotten to metro NY....
Score: 0
|Shouldn't have a phone at 14. Not till 16 and driving possibly No one younger than 16 should have one in my opinion.
I survived so can they.
Score: 0
|So now the choose is between AT&T and Verizon since the others have horrible coverage through out the states.
www.talkprice.net
Score: 0
|I called ATT and asked how this worked with those of us who are on the "family plan". I have 5 phones (4 kids and the MRS.[all cap's] on ATT right now and was hoping for a miracle. They told me that the first phone would be $199.00 per month and each additional phone would be $99.00 each! NO S**t!!! I wonder where competition went.
Stuck in the vortex and I hate it.
Score: 0
|Well actually who ever you were talking to is wrong its $199 for the first TWO phones and $99 there after.
www.talkprice.net
Score: 0
|VERIZON!!!!!
We wouldn't want AT&T making a comeback now, would we?
Score: 0
|*beeeep*
add that to what I said just above here...
Score: 0
|either way, holy crap!!
Score: 0
|