- Average user rating from 42 users 7.0/10 Very good Read user opinions >>
U.S. Cellular is a regional carrier covering much of the Midwest.
CNET editors' take
- Reviewed on: 06/06/2007
Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.
Based in Chicago, U.S. Cellular is a regional CDMA carrier serving 26 states in the Midwest, the Southeast, and the Northwest. Service is nationwide, but native coverage is only in the carrier's home area. In other places, you'll be roaming on
Things you should know:
- This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
- As a CDMA carrier, international coverage is limited.
- Most plans include free incoming calls from any phone number at any time.
- Offers both regional (aka "Wide Area") and national plans.
- Carries mostly LG, Motorola and Samsung handsets and BlackBerry smart phones.
- Roaming outside the carrier's native coverage network may cost extra, but you can buy prepaid roaming minutes at a discount.
- For an extra fee, you can get free mobile-to-mobile minutes with other U.S. Cellular subscribers.
- Live Verizon Wireless uses BREW instead of Java for gaming and other applications, which can limit the number of choices available to consumers.
Fast facts:
- Subscribers: 6.1 million
- Coverage: U.S. Cellular's native coverage is limited to 26 states. As with all carriers, reception will vary due to location.
- Technology: CDMA; 1xRTT
- 3G network: No
- Streaming video service: No
- Music download service: No
- Push-to-talk: Yes
- Analog roaming: Yes
- Prepay plans: Yes
- Family plans: Yes
| AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint Nextel | Verizon Wireless | |
| Coverage map | AT&T coverage map | Sprint Nextel coverage map | Verizon Wireless coverage map | |
| Technology | GSM; GPRS; EDGE | GSM; GPRS: EDGE | CDMA; 1xRTT; iDEN | CDMA; 1xRTT |
| 3G network | Yes, UMTS, EV-DO | No (coming in 2007) | Yes, EV-DO | Yes, EV-DO |
| Data plans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming video network | Yes, AT&T Video | No | Yes, Sprint Power Vision | Yes, Verizon V Cast |
| Music download service | Yes, AT&T Music | No | Yes, Sprint Music Store | Yes, V Cast Wireless Music |
| Push-to-Talk | Available, depending on phone model | No | Available, depending on phone model | Available, depending on phone model |
| Analog roaming | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Prepay plans | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Family plans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| U.S. Cellular | Alltel | MetroPCS | |
| Coverage map | U.S. Cellular coverage map | Alltel coverage map | MetroPCS coverage map |
| Technology | CDMA; 1xRTT | CDMA; 1xRTT | CDMA; 1xRTT |
| 3G network | No | Yes, EV-DO | No |
| Data plans | Yes | Yes | No |
| Streaming video network | No | Yes | No |
| Music download service | No | No | No |
| Push-to-Talk | Available, depending on phone model | Available, depending on phone model | No |
| Analog roaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prepay plans | Yes | Yes | No |
| Family plans | Yes | Yes | No |
- See more CNET content tagged:
- U.S. Cellular,
- CDMA company,
- EVDO,
- CDMA,
- coverage
User opinions
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?
-
6/10 Good June 13, 2007
"Great regional coverage; no frills service" Read more >>
-
10/10 Perfect February 23, 2008
"I LOVE THIS SERVICE!" Read more >>
-
9/10 Spectacular January 23, 2008
"Beats Verizon hands down in west central Illinois." Read more >>
- WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEWSee all 42 user opinions >>
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