According to a press release, Chicago-based U.S. Cellular has lowered is pricing for those customers who are signed up for their Shared Connect Plan. Customers will see a price drop on the 1, 3, 6, 8, and 20GB data plans. If you have the 2GB plan you will get a bump to the 3GB for the same price. As the fifth-largest wireless carrier in the United States, U.S. Cellular is following in the footsteps of other major carriers such as AT&T, by attempting to give customers more value for their money. Let’s hope this trend continues.
U.S. Cellular has also extended the $30 discount on monthly connection charges to its 8GB installment pricing plan. That means if you choose at least an 8GB plan, you will be able to add a smartphone to your plan for only $10 a month. With this discount, a family of four can receive 8GB of shared data, unlimited text, and unlimited voice for around $120 a month.
To get the discounts, you must sign up for U.S. Cellular’s installment pricing. This plan is $0 down, and you only have to pay the tax on your new device when you sign up. Then for the next 20 months you will make payments on your device. That cost will be added to your wireless bill. After 12 months, you can upgrade to the latest model of your device or if you can, of course, pay off your device at any time. U.S. Cellular will also pay your early termination fees, up to $350 if you choose to switch to their company. This payoff comes in the form of a prepaid debit card after you provide proof of the early termination amount from your previous carrier.
U.S. Cellular joins most of the major carriers such as Verizon and AT&T, in reducing the cost of their data plans. This trend seems to be giving larger amounts of monthly data for roughly the same price as the consumer is currently paying. As more and more people worldwide begin to use their mobile devices for things such as watching movies or streaming music or games, the need for more data will rise. With a little hope, we will see a day when all carriers offer unlimited data services at a reasonable price. Until then we will have to just be content with enjoying the price reductions and increased data.