US Cellular, who is one of the larger yet regional carriers in the US, have just updated their Shared Connect Plans. They actually took a page out of Verizon’s handbook. They have increased the prices on their plans, but also increased the data limits on each plan. As you’d expect, these plans all come with unlimited talk and text. The company also notes that customers are free to change their plan whenever they want. US Cellular is touting that these new plans are simplified to make things easier for the customer.
Their smallest plan now offers 2GB for $30, that’s up from 1GB for $25. Next up is 4GB for $45, up from 3GB for $40. Then there is 8GB for $60, 16GB for $80, and 24GB for $100. US Cellular is also giving unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada for free on plans of 16GB of higher. Those that choose the 8GB or lower plans will get that option, but it won’t be free. In fact it’ll be a $10/month add-on. Additionally, those on the 16GB of higher plans get data usage controls. This allows you to limit how much of the data pool each user gets to use. To keep your teenagers from using all of your data on Snapchat or Instagram. If you’re on a smaller plan, it’ll cost you $4.99/month.
These plans are available now, and those that are current customers at US Cellular, can switch to them pretty easily. However, you’ll want to be sure you really want to switch, as the older plans will no longer be available. US Cellular is also allowing customers to port their number over to their network and switch, and they will cover the fees to switch. As is typical with these types of offers, you won’t get your prepaid card to cover the fees until well after your current carrier wants the money for the fees associated with leaving them.
US Cellular does also charge a $20/line access fee for smartphones and it’s $10/line for tablets. So those looking to bring over multiple lines will need to be wary of that, when factoring in how much they’ll be charged.