The US Cellular is among the major US carriers that operate using its own cellular towers. However, US Cellular works on the US Cellular network, so you’ll experience the same access as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile to the nationwide 4G LTE coverage and 5G where it’s available. This article addresses US Cellular GSM or CDMA, among other helpful information concerning this carrier. Stay tuned in.
Most importantly, US Cellular is the fourth-largest wireless network in the USA, offering services in 23 states, and it is also a carrier partner for Google’s Project Fi. However, US Cellular’s 4G network spread less of the United States than Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, with only 10.27% nationwide coverage. Thus, it offers nationwide coverage through roaming agreements with several giant carrier partner networks when it’s off-network.
US Cellular coverage reaches five million customers in over 400 markets. Besides, this carrier allows users to switch over provided they have US Cellular compatible phones. This company utilizes the CDMA 3G technology and LTE 4G technology. Moreover, the most CDMA coverage is cellular-band (850 MHz), with some areas having PCS (1900 MHz). LTE 4G services get offered in the 700 MHz and 1700 MHz (AWS) bands but target the 850 and 1900 MHz bands soon.
Is US Cellular GSM or CDMA
Commonly, CDMA and GSM are the two technologies applicable in cell phones that help in the absence of 4G. However, modern phones from many manufacturers are likely to be compatible with the two technologies making it easy to switch carriers.
However, US Cellular uses CDMA technology, but if you are unsure if your phone is compatible with US cellular, you can check using your IMEI number. Additionally, both CDMA and GSM convert data from your cell phone into radio waves, and nowadays, they substitute the increasingly deprecated 2G and 3G systems depending on competing technologies.
On the other hand, since these two systems have existed for some years, it’s worth knowing what they represent and the difference between them. Most importantly, if you are an international traveler, you should note the differences to prevent getting stuck with a phone that does not function in the place you want to be, especially when 4G LTE or 5G does not exist.
Benefits Of US Cellular
US Cellular can provide many benefits to their customers compared to plans from the three major networks. Some of the advantages include:
i) Lower prices
US Cellular doesn’t have hundreds of physical stores and sales staff; thus, they can pass on the operation costs to you with savings close to $600 a year.
ii) Flexible plans
You can pick the plan you want based on your needs. Besides, you won’t have to pay for features you don’t use, so you can customize your plan to match you.
iii) Keep your phone and number
If you want to switch to this carrier, you can keep the savings from not upgrading to the latest device and bringing your own phone. Additionally, you can also easily port your number across from another carrier.
iv) Easy to switch
If you are a new customer eying US cellular services, you can decide to keep your own phone. However, the switching process is simple, and you’ll be all good to go within a few days.
v) No commitment
This carrier offers no contracts, so you pay as you go for the cell phone plan that you need. If you’re not satisfied or you want to amend your plan, you can do this at will, any time.
Difference Between CDMA and GSM
CDMA and GSM should not bother you in your purchasing decisions in 2021 since you should be going for a 4G LTE or 5G phone now. However, in the last past decades, there have been notable differences between the technologies. It was much easier to swap phones with a GSM network since GSM carriers provide for a removable SIM card.
You are required to pull the card out, insert it in a different phone, and the new phone bears your number. GSM carriers had to accept any GSM-compatible phone, thus no freedom for using any phone type. SIM cards are one of the critical features of GSM networks.
In the US, CDMA carriers utilize network-based technology to verify their subscribers. Therefore, you can only switch phones with your carrier’s consent, and the carrier doesn’t have to allow any particular phone onto its network.
However, all US cell phones now have SIM cards, but that isn’t because of CDMA. The SIM cards are only available for 4G LTE networks since the LTE standard also operates with SIM cards. CDMA cell phone doesn’t have a physical SIM but has an eSIM because each phone is specifically built to operate on that carrier’s network.
CDMA or GSM – The Better One
CDMA and GSM are both global standards used for cell phone communication, and none is better than the other. However, CDMA phones with no SIM slots are locked to their carriers and cannot transfer to other networks. Interestingly, you can still get ways to have your carrier unlock your phone when you’re done with their contract.
On the other hand, GSM phones are easy to unlock, and you can switch between networks. Many third-party manufacturers sell phones designed for GSM networks, for they don’t need access to specific carrier bands. Better still, GSM cell phones can even function in countries with compatible GSM networks and provide more expansive international roaming. GSM also is available to more rural areas compared to CDMA in the US.
Moreover, CDMA networks provide for more users, translating to a greater capacity than GSM networks. CDMA is the technology on which all 3G networks are found for both GSM and CDMA carriers. Meantime, the next invention to provide further improvements is 5G, which is currently rolling out. Therefore, as mobile network technology evolves, the CDMA and GSM split becomes less relevant.
US Cellular Phone Selection
US Cellular has plenty of US cellular prepaid phones for sale and provides the most extensive list of best available phones in the market. However, you will get plenty of flagships, as well as mid-range or budget options. Luckily, if you still have a phone you love and want to switch to US cellular, you can bring your own device, which adds plenty of flexibility.
Moreover, this carrier provides a large volume of discounted refurbished cell phones and new accessories. Interestingly, all the phones sold at US cellular will work with your current carrier.
This carrier has everything from the classic, durable Samsung phones to the newest smartphones and iPhones and everything in between. You need to swap out your sim card for the unlocked GSM phones, and your new cell phone is good to use instantly.
On the other hand, for CDMA phones that work with Verizon and US Cellular service, you need to call your carrier with the pre-owned phone’s ESN number, and you are good to go. US cellular has the most significant, cheapest selection of discounted cell phones and cell phone accessories.
Final Thought
US Cellular is a CDMA technology-powered carrier that uses its own US Cellular network to offer data, talk, and text service. However, you don’t have to have a CDMA-compatible phone to use US cellular network, and all the universal phones are also compatible with this carrier.
Besides, you can bring your own device to US Cellular if you don’t want to upgrade to a new device. There is a diverse selection of prepaid cell phones and cheap plans with this carrier. You can buy a new device or switch using your current device and enjoy affordable services from the best US carrier.