US Cellular Prepaid (USCellular)

US Cellular Prepaid plans start a $10 per month plus 10 cents per minute with unlimited incoming text, picture and video messages. For $30 a month you can add 200 voice minutes and unlimited outgoing messages as well. There is a relatively high activation fee of $50.

Coverage

But first lets look at their coverage. This Illinois-based company has its own network with pretty good coverage in the United States. However, they only offer service if a limited number of area. For example, their coverage map shows pretty good coverage in Virginia, however, if you live in Virginia, you can't sign up to be a customer.

Plans

$10 Per Month Plan

The cheapest plan costs $10 per month to maintain service. Each voice minute costs an additional 10 cents per month. Outgoing messages cost 25 cents each. However, you apparently get free incoming messages.

This plan's structure is similar to the base plan from Consumer Cellular (except for the messaging).

$30 and Higher Plans

For $30 per month you get 200 anytime minutes and unlimited incoming and outgoing messaging. Additional minutes cost 25 cents per minute.

For $40 per month, you get 450 anytime minutes and 200 MB data.

For $50 per month you get unlimited voice minutes and messages, but no data.

For $60 per month you get 450 minutes voice, messages and 2 GB data.

For $70 per month you get unlimited voice, messages and 2 GB data.

As you can see, the costs go up pretty quickly. So while, it's nice that these plans have no contract, you can expect to pay quite a bit per month if you have any significant cell phone usage.

Roaming

One drawback of US Cellular prepaid plans is that you can pay roaming charges. Their coverage map states that it's possible you may have to pay roaming charges even at the borders of the covered areas.

Phones

US Cellular offers phones ranging from $19.99 to just under $250. You can get inexpensive flip phones like the Samsung Chrono and LG Envoy. A good option is a touchscreen phone with slide-out QWERTY keyboard like the Samsung Character or LG Attune for $59.99 and %69.99 respectively. The Huawei Ascend II and the Samsung Repp for $139.99 are the least expensive Android phones (data plan required). Three HTC Android phone round out the top end at over $200 each.

easyEdge Apps and Games

All these phones, even the least expensive one are compatible with US Cellular's easyEdge system that gives you access to games, apps, songs and other downloads.

Get US Cellular?

Due to their cost, the US Cellular prepaid plans are a good way of trying out their service without committing to a contract. If you're satisfied with their service, it may make more sense to move to one of their contract plans - perhaps one of their Belief plans which allow you to earn reward points.

Your US Cellular Review

Tell us about your experience with this plan!

Enter Your Story Title

Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

U.S. Cellular Prepaid Success Story Not rated yet
U.S. Cellular prepaid has done a lot to improve their prepaid options. I wouldn't advise getting their pay as you go option as it is very expensive. But ...

US Cellular Belief Project and new Prepaid Plans Not rated yet
I just received some info from LaTrina Shepherd about the US Cellular Belief Project as well as about their updated prepaid plans. The Belief Project is ...

SBI!