U.S. Cellular today announced the latest addition to its 4G LTE device lineup, the Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot. The device is available now from U.S. Cellular's website for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, though U.S. Cellular notes that that's a limited time price that's only available to customers that are located in an area that already has 4G LTE coverage or will before 2012 is up. For those of us not in a U.S. Cellular LTE market, the SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot is priced at $199.99 after $50 mail-in rebate and two-year contract. The device will be available in U.S. Cellular stores on May 21st. The SCH-LC11 supports connections for up to five Wi-Fi devices and has a 1,500mAh battery.
As far as plans go, the Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot has a handful of different options available to it. Customers can select a 2GB/month plan for $25, 5GB/month for $50 or 10GB/month for $90. Those plans also include a fee of $10 for each extra gigabyte used after the consumer exceeds their monthly allotment.
U.S. Cellular already has the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy S Aviator as part of its LTE roster, so it's good to see the carrier add a mobile hotspot device to that stable as well. So far, U.S. Cellular's LTE network is live in "select cities" in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin, and coverage is expected to expand to markets in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia in the second half of this year. U.S. Cellular's full announcement of the SCH-LC11 is available below.
U.S. CELLULAR LAUNCHES 4G LTE MOBILE HOTSPOT
Instant Internet access at 4G LTE speeds for up to 5 Wi-Fi devices
CHICAGO (May 17, 2012) – U.S. Cellular is expanding its 4G LTE device line-up with the launch of the Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot. This lightweight device gives you high-speed connectivity and is available on uscellular.com now and will be in stores by May 21. When on the 4G LTE network, the Samsung Mobile Hotspot allows users to simultaneously connect up to five Wi-Fi devices to the Internet at speeds up to ten times faster than 3G. It's easy to connect to laptops, tablets, home computers and smartphones so customers can access news, weather, email, entertainment and social networks whenever they need it. For a limited time, the hotspot will be available for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate in select markets covered by the 4G LTE network and in those scheduled to be covered by the end of 2012. Visit uscellular.com for detailed pricing.
The Samsung Mobile Hotspot is a great device for businesses, students, families and anyone who needs high-speed Internet connectivity at home or on-the-go. Business travelers can get more done during airport layovers and taxi rides. Study groups can have a meeting in the park and connect to the Internet, and family car rides are more fun when everyone can get the entertainment they want.
"Customers can depend on the 4G LTE Samsung Mobile Hotspot for fast and reliable Internet connectivity wherever they are," said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. "This pocket-sized device can help simplify and organize your life and provides multiple devices with one speedy Internet connection."
The 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier's high-quality nationwide network. The Samsung Mobile Hotspot is available to all U.S. Cellular customers and runs on the 4G LTE network in markets where it is available and on U.S. Cellular's nationwide 3G network in all other areas.
U.S. Cellular customers enjoy unique benefits, such as new devices faster without resigning contracts, free Overage Protection and free Battery Swap. U.S. Cellular also offers customers the only points-based rewards program in the industry, which rewards customers for simple things, such as paying bills on-time, adding a line or referring friends and family. Points may be used for faster phone upgrades, additional lines, devices, accessories and ringtones.
U.S. Cellular, in partnership with King Street Wireless, currently offers 4G LTE service in select cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. In the second half of this year, 4G LTE coverage will expand to cover select cities in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. By the end of 2012, 54 percent of U.S. Cellular customers will enjoy faster 4G LTE speeds. For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G.
For a limited time, the hotspot will be available for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate in select markets covered by the 4G LTE network and in those scheduled to be covered by the end of 2012. The Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot is available for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate in all other markets. Visit uscellular.com for detailed pricing. Purchase of a data plan is required and a new two-year agreement and activation fee may apply for new customers. Additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply.
LTE is a trademark of ETSI.
About King Street Wireless, L.P.
King Street Wireless, L.P. currently holds 700 MHz wireless spectrum in 27 states and is partnering with Chicago-based U.S. Cellular to deliver high-speed 4G LTE service to U.S. Cellular's customers in several of the carrier's markets. King Street Wireless is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia where it is recognized for its involvement in its community both through its economic development and philanthropic efforts. To learn more about King Street Wireless, visit www.kingstreetwireless.com.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. Currently, 25 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds and 54 percent will have access by the end of 2012. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Champion in 2012 for the second year in a row. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
