Consumers got a good look at the new iPhone 5S from Apple last week and now it sounds like at least one regional carrier will be offering the new device and a new data plan could come along with it, according to reports. US Cellular, is the fifth largest mobile carrier in the United States and offers some of the higher end smartphones to those in about 39 states throughout the Midwestern region of the country. The company recently started rolling out 4G LTE coverage and is slowly becoming a mobile carrier worth checking out.
One thing that US Cellular has never really offered was truly unlimited data for customers that were willing to pay for it, but that could change with the arrival of the new iPhone 5S. According to reports back in May, US Cellular promised that it would be selling the iPhone later this year and now that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C have been announced officially by Apple, more information is becoming available. Apple did not mention the US Cellular network as one of the options for the new handset and the US Cellular website does not have anything that indicates the same.
Apple might be requiring US Cellular to hold off on the official announcement until after the iPhone 5S is released, or it could be partly due to rumored supply issues that Apple is running into and offering it in one more place would make it harder to get since the demand is high as always. According to a note from US Cellular sent to one online source, the company said, “as previously announced, U.S. Cellular will soon be carrying iPhone products. We are looking forward to iPhone fans coming to the high-quality U.S. Cellular network and experiencing our industry-leading rewards program.”
Another source claimed to have talked to a US Cellular employee that said, “we currently have the technology on our hands, so our staff can get a feel for the device before further sales.” Even though the exact iPhone products are not mentioned by the employees, it can be easily assumed they are talking about the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. The 4G LTE unlimited rumor also came from the same employee that said the company might offer the plan along with a shared data plan for customers. Sprint is the only carrier that offers unlimited data at this time.
September 20, 2013 at 10:34 am
T-Mobile has an Unlimited Data Plan… although they all throttle at some level. i.e. Sprint 2.5GB, T-Mobile 5GB
September 20, 2013 at 12:09 pm
How can I pre-order a iphone???
September 20, 2013 at 2:09 pm
US Cellular has been a reputable cellular company for several years. They aren’t known for having the latest and greatest phones when the other major carriers release them, but offer bullet-proof service and reception.
That’s all changed since they “updated” their operations software at the end of July. This system updated has caused more problems for the company that for any other cell phone company I’ve ever seen.
They have “lost” customer payments, entire accounts, and had billing problems in which customers simply don’t get their bills. Once a customer actually does get their bill, they are past due within a few days, as no payment has been made to their account. Why? US Cellular never sent a bill in the first place!
Imagine walking into a store, waiting forever to see an associate, then shelling out a couple hundred dollars to pay your bill. Days later, your service is suspended…and stays that way for over a week, because they can’t find your payment. Good thing the re-connection fees are only $25/line. Please note my sarcasm in the previous statement.
The sales associates still offer great customer service, but the frustration can be seen on their faces. They are beyond exhausted from dealing with unruly customers day after day, and being used as human punching bags by the same customers. Imagine the movie Groundhog Day – going to work day after day with the same crap over and over and over again. Your happiness and satisfaction as a US Cellular employee ceases to exist. The only thing that keeps them going is the 1% chance of a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel – that one day, maybe just one day things will get better again… like the good ‘ole US Cellular days.
On any given day, the “new” system is down or experiencing technical difficulties more that half of the time, which doesn’t allow customers to do anything with their accounts – pay bills, upgrade, add additional lines, change features, NOTHING.
When their systems are down in the stores, the sales associates call into their customer service centers for support, as customer service uses a different version of the “new” system. The associates are then forced to wait on hold – sometimes for more than an hour at a time. Once they do finally get someone on the phone, they tend to offer no solution and/or time frame for when the system will be working. You can see the fear and hesitation in the employee’s eyes before he/she tells you nothing can be done and that you’ve just wasted over an hour of your day in the store.
Want to change carriers because you’re sick and tired of dealing the BS US Cellular offers, but don’t have your account number? Good luck – chances are the system is down and they can’t get that info for you. Don’t worry… they’re “working on it.”
RIP US Cellular, you will be missed.
September 20, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Please email when the iPhone will be available in Augusta and Gardiner maine
September 20, 2013 at 7:37 pm
turka dur, did you not get the letter in the mail a while back explaining the billing problem and then this email this afternoon?
–
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 12:00:04
From: “U.S. Cellular”
At U.S. Cellular®, we truly value each and every customer and strive to deliver the best possible service at all times.
In July, we switched to a new billing system, and the transition temporarily affected our ability to provide the level of service you deserve. You may have noticed that your recent U.S. Cellular bills arrived later than they typically do. We are working to resume normal billing. However, these billing delays may cause you to receive multiple bills in a shorter period of time over the next few months. We have changed your due dates to allow you additional time to pay. Upon receipt of each bill, please note your due date closely.
You can also log in to My Account to check your new due date and current balance. If you are not registered for My Account, you can instantly sign up at uscellular.com/myaccount and click on “Begin Registration.”
Because you may receive your next bill before your previous bill is due, you may see a past due balance. Rest assured, as long as you pay each bill by the due date listed, you will not have any service interruptions or late charges.
Our new system will soon allow us to provide world-class service and a new suite of products. In the meantime, we sincerely apologize for this inconvenience, and appreciate your loyalty and patience as we remedy the situation.
Sincerely,
Please accept our apology for these upgrade issues.
Kenneth R. Meyers
President and Chief Executive Officer
September 21, 2013 at 10:04 am
Previous comments by turka dur is right on. Just lived it all in the past week! Was on auto pay they took the payment on 9/9. Then they emailed me on 9/13 my payment is overdue! Then they were going to take a double payment on 9/28!!!! I’m all done with auto pay forever thanks to this experience. Had to call customer service numerous times since I don’t have 15-30 minutes to rot on hold, and still can’t take of it. I’ve been with us cellular for 18+ years. Deciding if its worth the wait for I phone or ditch us cellular once and for all.
September 22, 2013 at 10:48 pm
“turka dur
September 20, 2013 at 2:09 pm
US Cellular has been a reputable cellular company for several years. They aren’t known for having the latest and greatest phones when the other major carriers release them, but offer bullet-proof service and reception.
That’s all changed since they “updated” their operations software at the end of July. This system updated has caused more problems for the company that for any other cell phone company I’ve ever seen.
They have “lost” customer payments, entire accounts, and had billing problems in which customers simply don’t get their bills. Once a customer actually does get their bill, they are past due within a few days, as no payment has been made to their account. Why? US Cellular never sent a bill in the first place!
Imagine walking into a store, waiting forever to see an associate, then shelling out a couple hundred dollars to pay your bill. Days later, your service is suspended…and stays that way for over a week, because they can’t find your payment. Good thing the re-connection fees are only $25/line. Please note my sarcasm in the previous statement.
The sales associates still offer great customer service, but the frustration can be seen on their faces. They are beyond exhausted from dealing with unruly customers day after day, and being used as human punching bags by the same customers. Imagine the movie Groundhog Day – going to work day after day with the same crap over and over and over again. Your happiness and satisfaction as a US Cellular employee ceases to exist. The only thing that keeps them going is the 1% chance of a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel – that one day, maybe just one day things will get better again… like the good ‘ole US Cellular days.
On any given day, the “new” system is down or experiencing technical difficulties more that half of the time, which doesn’t allow customers to do anything with their accounts – pay bills, upgrade, add additional lines, change features, NOTHING.
When their systems are down in the stores, the sales associates call into their customer service centers for support, as customer service uses a different version of the “new” system. The associates are then forced to wait on hold – sometimes for more than an hour at a time. Once they do finally get someone on the phone, they tend to offer no solution and/or time frame for when the system will be working. You can see the fear and hesitation in the employee’s eyes before he/she tells you nothing can be done and that you’ve just wasted over an hour of your day in the store.
Want to change carriers because you’re sick and tired of dealing the BS US Cellular offers, but don’t have your account number? Good luck – chances are the system is down and they can’t get that info for you. Don’t worry… they’re “working on it.”
RIP US Cellular, you will be missed.”
Wow dude! There are some tough times indeed there – I hope that you are right that the “US Cellular dayrs” are over. I really do….. Or will be coming to a resolution soon…..
I want to know how many US Cellular customers HAVE NOT had any billing problems?
As loyal as I am it is dangerously close to shambles – so will just have to wait it out and see,…… Announcing some sort of iPhone realse date would help……. To be to late on that US Cellular!
September 22, 2013 at 11:41 pm
I ment dark days… Like dark gas not that us cellular go away…. Just to be clear…
And my indent did not work -M Comment starts with “Wow” dude….