U.S. Cellular introduces shared data plans, eliminates unlimited data for new subscribers

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Like AT&T and Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular is making the move to shared data plans. Its prices are similar to those carriers, and this is a good move for getting multiple family members to sign up and start using additional devices. But on the other hand, this means new users will no longer be eligible to sign up for a plan with unlimited data.

U.S. Cellular’s shared data plans included unlimited text messages and voice minutes, like AT&T and Verizon. Consumer plans support up to 10 devices, and business plans will connect up to 25. Each smartphone line costs $40 per month. Feature phones cost $30, modems cost $20 and tablets cost $10. From there, all users share data from a single bucket, which starts at 300MB per month for $40 and goes as high as 75GB for $560 per month. The table below shows a sample of shared data plan prices you can choose from:
 

In addition to the new shared plans, U.S. Cellular offers data-only plans for tablets, modems and hotspots starting at $10 per month for 1GB of data. And the carrier is offering talk-and-text-only plans that include 450 minutes and unlimited messaging for $50 for individual users. A family plans gets you 1,000 minutes and unlimited messaging for 2 lines for $100 and each additional line costs $20.

These rates are fairly similar to what you’ll find at AT&T or Verizon. Also like those carriers, this means that U.S. Cellular is doing away with unlimited data. The carrier says that all existing users can keep their grandfathered unlimited plans, but that option won’t be available to new subscribers. This leaves Sprint and T-Mobile as the only major U.S. wireless U.S. to offer unlimited data.