What is US Cellular & is it worth it?
Pros
Unlimited data plans
Family plans
Bill credit if you don't go over 3 GB of data
Offers both postpaid & prepaid
Cons
Activation fee
Pricier than MVNOs
U.S. Cellular, which is home to over 5 million subscribers as of Q3 2016, is the fifth largest available wireless provider, offering a wide range of prepaid plans.
U.S. Cellular is currently only available in 23 states so be sure to check and see if service is available in your area.
Curious to see how the fifth-largest wireless network works? Read our complete U.S. Cellular review to see how they hold up against the big (and small) guys.
US Cellular Prepaid Plans
| Plan | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Cellular 25GB | 25GB | US Cellular | $65/mo |
| US Cellular 50GB | 50GB | US Cellular | $70/mo |
U.S. Cellular has three plans available. All of which gives you unlimited talk and text but the difference is among how much data you get. The data sizes include 2GB, unlimited, or unlimited plus.
With those big plans, however, comes big prices. In fact, their prices are most similar to the big three than any MVNO.
So if you're wanting an MVNO that's going to save you big bucks, check out our cheapest MVNO plans. Otherwise, you can still save over a hundred dollars a year by switching to this network.
You will, however, find better savings if you sign up with a family plan or small business plan through U.S. Cellular in which they discount you per line that you add.
US Cellular Savings
Verizon vs US Cellular comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $180 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| US Cellular | Verizon 4G & 5G | 25GB | $65/mo | $780/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $15/mo | $180/yr | |
US Cellular Coverage
U.S. Cellular is limited in LTE coverage, but for in-home areas, the LTE coverage and reliability are strong. That being said, if you're not in the carrier's area, you could suffer greatly from reduced data speeds.
U.S. Cellular is able to provide the customer with a strong rural LTE network. If you're in a rural cellular network and U.S. Cellular is available in your location, you may want to consider the wireless service.
US Cellular Cell Phone Plans
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
25GB
4G/5G data
$65/mo
Powered by: US Cellular
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
50GB
4G/5G data
$70/mo
Powered by: US Cellular
US Cellular Phone Deals
Like the big three and most MVNOs, U.S. Cellular gives you three different phone options:
- Bring your own phone – U.S. Cellular operates on a CDMA network, so they're already compatible with both Sprint or Verizon phones. You may have to change the APN settings (not a big deal) and be sure your device is unlocked.
- Buy a new phone – U.S. Cellular offers a wide selection of phones with some of the newest devices. However, it's worth noting that if you choose to make monthly payments on your device your bill will go up.
- Buy a refurbished phone - You'll save the most money - up to 50% off retail - by shopping for refurbished phones compatible with U.S. Cellular. Compare prices and features on all your favorite Android and Apple devices from reputable sellers.
Once you have your device be sure to order your U.S. Cellular SIM card online.
Key Considerations
Here are some key, general information you'll want on hand when deciding if U.S. Cellular is right for you:
- Do you live in one of the 23 states that U.S. Cellular covers?
- Do you need unlimited data?
- Are you going to bring your own phone (BYOP) or will you need one?
- Do you need a single-line plan or a family plan?
Recap
U.S. Cellular offers you coverage from the fifth-largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States. Compare their offers against other cheap cell phone plans to ensure you get the best deal.
Find out what real customers are saying with our U.S. Cellular user reviews.
You can save more money by purchasing a refurbished phone compatible with U.S. Cellular instead of a brand new device.
If you choose to buy refurbished, it's well worth selling your old device for some extra change!
