U.S. Cellular Spreads Holiday Cheer With 'All Phones Free' Sale From Dec. 17 Through Dec. 24

CHICAGO, Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Cellular, which was recently recognized in a survey by Consumer Reports as the best wireless carrier in the country, is helping holiday shoppers with last-minute gifts by offering every phone for free, including the latest Android-powered smartphones. U.S. Cellular is spreading the joy even further by offering a $100 credit to new customers purchasing a smartphone or existing customers adding a new smartphone line. Customers can stop by any U.S. Cellular store for more details and pick out their free phones while supplies last.

Shoppers can make this holiday season memorable by giving Android-powered phones like the HTC Desire, LG Optimus U or Samsung Mesmerize (a Galaxy S device), which is the highest-rated smartphone by Consumer Reports. All of U.S. Cellular's phones, including advanced smartphones like the BlackBerry Bold and Curve, are free after mail-in rebates. All devices are backed by U.S. Cellular's high-speed nationwide network and the valuable benefits of The Belief Project, which include faster phone upgrades, overage cap, discounts for autopay and paperless billing, and "no contract after the first."

"Our extensive lineup of cutting-edge phones offers something for everyone. We have devices and plans for heavy texters, businesspeople, music fans, gamers and folks who want a basic phone without the advanced features," said Edward Perez, vice president of marketing and sales operations for U.S. Cellular. "The All Phones Free sale is the perfect opportunity for customers to find the one that best fits their lifestyle."

The Android-powered Samsung Mesmerize and HTC Desire are ideal for those who want everything in a smartphone. Their large touchscreens and blazing fast 1 GHz processors are great for watching videos, playing games and zipping through business and entertainment applications.

The LG Optimus U is designed for first-time smartphone customers ready to experience the power of Android 2.2 technology. It has a virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology that allows users to input text quickly by sliding a finger over the keyboard in one continuous motion. All six of U.S. Cellular's Android-powered devices can be enhanced by the more than 100,000 applications in the Android Market, many of which are free.

The BlackBerry Bold and Curve are popular smartphones that pack lots of helpful apps for business and personal use. Both have Wi-Fi access and global travelers will like the Bold's ability to connect on wireless networks around the world.

Customers who prefer a phone for calling, texting and taking pictures can select devices like the Samsung Profile Freeform and Exec, the Motorola Grasp and LG Mystique. These feature-rich devices have expandable memory for music fans who want to take their tunes everywhere.

U.S. Cellular also offers a wide range of national bundled plans through The Belief Project. Its National Single Line and Family Belief Plans offer affordable voice, text and data packages. Customers who text, e-mail and download more than they talk may prefer the new Primary Plus Plan for $69.99 per month that comes with 5GB of data, unlimited text, picture and video messaging, free GPS navigation and free unlimited incoming calls, nights and weekends, and mobile-to-mobile calls. Customers also can opt for the Premium Plus Family Plan for $179.99, which includes two lines with unlimited minutes and messaging, 5GB of data per line, Phone Replacement and GPS navigation.

New customers who sign up for a Belief Plan and fulfill an initial two-year commitment will never have to sign another one with U.S. Cellular's "no contract after the first." Current U.S. Cellular customers who signed up for a Belief Plan and are already eligible for a phone upgrade can get promotional prices without signing another contract. Customers automatically get valuable rewards that can be used for faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 months, additional lines, phones, accessories and ringtones.

About The Belief Project  

Launched Oct. 1, The Belief Project recognizes customer loyalty with national bundled rate plans that offer customers the freedom to enjoy industry-leading benefits without signing continuous contracts – like guaranteed upgrades to the newest phones at promotional prices every 18 months.

With "no contract after the first," new customers fulfill an initial two-year commitment and never have to sign another contract again. Existing customers who switch to the new Belief Plans can simply finish the remainder of their term without extending their current contract.  

Customers automatically get valuable rewards just for being a customer that can be used for even faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 months. Rewards can also be used to get additional lines, phones, accessories and ringtones.

The Belief Project also includes the industry's only Phone Replacement program. If a customer's phone accidentally breaks or stops working, U.S. Cellular replaces it with the same or similar model at no additional cost. Customers also can save up to 5 percent on their monthly plans for setting up autopay and paperless billing.

These innovative initiatives were developed to address consumers' common frustrations with wireless, elevate the customer experience and create a human relationship, not a contractual one. For more information about The Belief Project, visit uscellular.com.

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is committed to fixing wireless one project at a time and recently unveiled The Belief Project, an array of industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier provides the best cell phone service in the country according to survey results released by Consumer Reports, which found that wireless customers are more satisfied with U.S. Cellular than every other major wireless company.  U.S. Cellular was also named one of Forbes Magazine's 2010 "Most Trustworthy Companies." The Belief Project complements U.S. Cellular's growing catalog of cutting-edge phones that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.

SOURCE U.S. Cellular