U.S. Cellular is getting into the bucket business with the announcement of its new shared data plans. The company has confirmed the plans for both consumers and business customers.
The consumer plans all start with a $40 flat rate for each smartphone, $30 for each feature phone, $20 for each hotspot and $10 for each tablet, all including unlimited voice and text. Up to 10 devices can be added to a single shared data plan. From there the shared data starts at $40 for 300 MB and jumps all the way up to $560 for 75 GB. It’s far more likely U.S. Cellular customers will opt for the $50 shared 1 GB, $60 shared 2 GB, or $70 shared 4 GB. The carrier is including tethering with all plans.
The plans are very similar to AT&T’s Mobile Share plans but the price per phone doesn’t adjust according to data amounts—$40 is the median price per device on AT&T’s plans.
In the press release it issued detailing the new shared plans, U.S. Cellular made sure to say that existing customers will not be required to move to the shared data plans.
U.S. Cellular’s shared plans for businesses allow for up to 25 devices and shake out around $750 for 100 GB. The carrier is also offering data only plans for tablets and hotspots that charge $10 for 1 GB.
U.S. Cellular’s move to shared data plans comes just days after AT&T signaled its push to move all new customers onto mobile share plans.