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Overview

US Cellular is a big name cell phone carrier serving 26 states that also entered the prepaid cell phone market with the launch of Talk Tracker.

US Cellular was founded in 1983 and is based in Chicago Illinois.

Pros: Since Talk Tracker is provided by US Cellular, calls occur on their national network.  The service supports modern features and you can activate any compatible cell phone; you do not need to purchase their phones.

Cons: US Cellular is a regional provider, so they don't have service in all areask.

Detailed Provider Information

Plans: U.S. Cellular offers both monthly and pay-as-you-go plans. All of the monthly plans include free incoming calls and free night minutes starting at 9 p.m. The 45 dollar plan comes with 350 anytime minutes, and overage minutes are 15 cents each. The 60 dollar plan comes with 600 minutes plus unlimited weekend minutes, and overage minutes are 10 cents each. Finally, the 80 dollar plan comes with 1,000 anytime minutes plus unlimited weekend minutes, and overage minutes are 10 cents each. There are two pay-as-you-go plans. The first has a monthly access charge of 6 dollars and costs 15 cents per minute. The second has a monthly access charge of 10 dollars and costs 10 cents per minute.


Customer Service: Customer care is available airtime free from your cell phone, via email or by calling their toll free customer service number.


Credit Check: None


Contract: None


Payment Options: You can refill your account at US Cellular retail stores (there is a 5 dollar minimum on refills). You can also automatically refill your account from credit card, debit card or checking account by calling customer service. Refills can also be done via Western Union stores.


Text and Picture Messaging: Incoming text messages are free for both the monthly plans and pay-as-you-go plans. A la carte outgoing text messages are 25 cents each. There are also three text messaging packages: $4.95 for 250 messages, $9.95 for 750 messages, and $14.95 for unlimited messages. Picture messaging is not available.


Data Plans: US Cellular does not offer mobile web access at this time.



Downloadables: Downloadable ringtones available only on the Kyocera KX-9b phone.


International Calling: U.S. Cellular does offer international calling capabilities. Calls to Mexico and Canada are charged at 50 cents per minute. Calls to other international destinations start at $1.25 per minute. You'll want to call customer service to find out the rates to the destination country you plan to call before placing calls.


Roaming Charges: Calls made from outside your service plan area are charged at 69 cents per minute.


Calling Features: Voicemail, caller ID, 3 way calling and call waiting are offered with all of US Cellular's prepaid plans.


Activation Fee: There is a 30 dollar one time fee to activate your U.S. Cellular prepaid service.  This fee is included in their starter packages (which vary in price and depending on your area). You can also activate US Cellular service on any cell phone compatible with the US Cellular network for the 30 dollar activation fee.


Nationwide Long Distance: All US Cellular prepaid plans include nationwide long distance. Calls made to destinations within the United States are treated as regular calls.


411 Calls: Directory assistance is available for a cost of $1.50 per call.


Earliest Minute Expiration: There are no pay by the minute plans with US Cellular. All minutes expire at the end of the monthly billing cycle for your chosen plan. Unused minutes do not rollover.


911 Calls: Yes


Phones: It appears that U.S. Cellular has many phone models listed under their prepaid section. Most are very basic models which are best used for just talking and texting. They do have a number of higher end phones for their postpaid service, which can be purchased at full price and activated on a prepaid plan. However, full retail price can get very expensive, which may deter some cost-conscious shoppers.


Some Available Cell Models:

Motorola Grasp (shown)
LG Mystique
Samsung Profile
Motorola Quantico


Coverage Map: US Cellular Talk Tracker Prepaid Coverage Map

Latest News: News about U.S. Cellular prepaid.

Shop for deals on US Cellular Prepaid phones and plans

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