Author Topic: Cheaper Cell Running on US Cellular Towers?  (Read 2652 times)

Scubanewbie

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Cheaper Cell Running on US Cellular Towers?
« on: January 20, 2015, 02:51:27 PM »
I promise I did some searching and checked the Communications & Tech Discussion Threads but can't seem to find if anyone has found a cheaper cell alternative running on US Cellular towers.  My DH refuses to switch away from them, has heard horror stories of the terrible reception out in our (admittedly rural) area and especially in the state park he uses for biking on an admittedly infrequent basis. 

We're not under contract and have been dragging our heels forever.  We both have dumb flip phones and don't even text though we'd love to have the option to as we are regularly hassled by friends/family but have been too cheap to do it so far as our bill is still $84.05 a month (2 lines, voice only).  And we haven't upgraded our phones in about 8 years.  So clearly we're suckers.  But every time I try to shop around, the inability to move carriers combined with DH's lack of drive makes me give up shortly after.

Add to this that I'm confused that MMM site recommends Republic Wireless + others while the sticky in "Share you Badassity" says not to and I'm hopelessly lost. 

My only requirements are:
  • 2 Lines
  • US Cellular
  • Talk & Text (data is completely optional)
I'm only by WiFi 30% of the time as my work doesn't offer it and commute is 30 minutes/way but I'm a very EXTREMELY low phone user - think maybe 2-3 calls/week?

I am open to pay-as-you-go (given my low usage) but haven't ever done it before and would just as soon get my bill <$60/mo for 2 lines with talk/text and call it good.  Can anyone help?!?

Daley

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Re: Cheaper Cell Running on US Cellular Towers?
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2015, 03:23:40 PM »
My only requirements are:
  • 2 Lines
  • US Cellular
  • Talk & Text (data is completely optional)

(snip)

Can anyone help?!?

Nope. Your US Cellular requirement leaves you stranded with.... US Cellular. $75-80/month is probably the cheapest you're ever going to get out of them for two lines. Knowing this opens an opportunity, however...

US Cellular has prepaid plans (unlimited talk and text with data) starting at $40/month for feature phones. If you're stuck paying around $80/month to them anyway and you're okay with feature phone functionality for the most part, switch to prepaid on your handsets as you'll get more for the money (do ask about any additional taxes, however). It also opens up the option for you to try another carrier while leaving his carrier safety net intact so you can either show him it might not be so bad to leave or his concern can be established without leaving himself. As for which carrier would be the best for your area? I'll help do map analysis for you, but I would suggest you PM me your location details instead of posting a ZIP code publicly if you care about privacy.

I also want to remind you that so long as there's a compatible cell tower, even if you don't have service on the native network... 911 calls can and will go through. This means that if you did happen to leave for a Verizon or Sprint MVNO and an emergency happened in that particular state park you speak of, that phone could still reach the local PSAP through the US Cellular network as both the phones and the functional network are all CDMA. You wouldn't necessarily be able to make personal calls, but...

Regarding your confusion between recommendations on certain providers, don't be. Pick the expert that seems to know what they're talking about and that you trust and listen to them.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2015, 03:25:31 PM by I.P. Daley »

Scubanewbie

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Re: Cheaper Cell Running on US Cellular Towers?
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2015, 08:09:31 PM »
As for which carrier would be the best for your area? I'll help do map analysis for you, but I would suggest you PM me your location details instead of posting a ZIP code publicly if you care about privacy.

Thanks so much I.P. Daley, I PM'd you.