Regional CDMA operator U.S. Cellular has rebranded its No-Contract Plans as "Simple Connect". The plan line up and pricing have changed and there's a new device financing plan. Highlights of the plan changes include:
- The $10/month pay as you go and $35/month 400 minute feature phone plans have been replaced by a $40 plan that includes unlimited talk, text and web for feature phone users.
- All plans now include unlimited talk, text and data.
- The price of the top plan has been cut from $65 to $60 per month.
- There's now a $35 activation fee on all Simple Connect plans.
Old pre-April 7, 2014 U.S. Cellular No-Contract Plans
Monthly Cost | Activation Fee | Voice | SMS | MMS | Data |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$10 (PayGo) 1 | $50 | 10¢/min | 25¢ 2 | None | None |
$35 1 | $20 | 400, overage 25¢/min | 400 2 | 400 | None |
$50 | 0 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | Unlimited (throttled after 500 MB) |
$50 | 0 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | 1 GB |
$65 | 0 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | 2 GB |
2 Incoming texts are free
New Simple Connect plans effective April 7, 2014
Monthly Cost | Activation Fee | Voice | SMS | MMS | Data |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$40 1 | $35 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
$50 | $35 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited (throttled after 500 MB) |
$60 | $35 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited (throttled after 2 GB) |
The new financing plan lets Simple Connect customers with qualifying credit get a new phone for $0 down (customer must pay tax on the full phone price at time of purchase), and then pay for the phone over 24 monthsl. Customers can pay off the full balance of their new device anytime they want.
U.S. Cellular offers a selection of Simple Connect feature phones and smartphones including current flagships like the iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S4. U.S. Cellular postpaid phones can also be activated on Simple Connect.
There are no changes to U.S. Cellular's U-Prepaid brand, which is sold exclusively at Walmart and Sam's Club stores.
Related: Prepaid Operator Profile - U.S. Cellular

Looks a lot like the Simple Choice plans from T-Mobile. Now U.S. Cellular has a hybrid option as well as contract and prepaid plans. More choice is always good, right?
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought the same thing. They're trying to piggy back on T-Mobile's marketing strategy but ultimately it won't work unless the customer lives in an area where T-Mobile's coverage is iffy.
DeleteOnly Partner coverage in NJ
ReplyDeleteWhy pay $35 activation fee and $50 for 500mb of data? Are they nuts?
ReplyDeletePrepay plans at att mvno are for $27 autopay and 500mb.
There are places where U.S. Cellular is the only operator.
DeleteThe activation fee is nuts, yes. The price of the plans themselves are OK since US Cellular provides excellent coverage in more rural areas. If you are in a big city and don't travel much, it doesn't make sense to use them.
DeleteUsed US Cellular phones are among the cheapest out there. I think it used to be the case that you could only use certain phones on their prepaid; since this is no longer the case, it may be a good deal for some. Do these plans allow use of LTE?
ReplyDeleteLTE is available on the $50 and $60 plans.
DeleteI know this is an old post but I want everyone to know you can buy a postpaid phone as long as the ESN is clean and put it on say the $60 plan like I did and the sppds are awesome. I got a Galaxy Note 2 for $150 on a Yard sale group on Facebook for my area and I'm a very happy camper. Best experience with PrePaid in Ne, NC. Not only that but Web Only you can get a Moto G LTE for $49 on Prepaid. So they do have some nice phones and options if you have coverage in places where you travel. Me its NC and VA and I have coverage all over Elizabeth City, Hartford, and even way out places in Ne, NC.
ReplyDelete