US Mobile’s Starter Kit Comes with a GSM and Super LTE SIM Card
“Why choose a SIM and a network when you can try both and choose whatever is best?“ This was the question that triggered the launch of US Mobile’s Starter Kit.
US Mobile operates on the two best networks in the country and to access them, you need either a GSM SIM card or a Super LTE SIM Card. However, as a customer, it is difficult to know which SIM and network that will work best in your area. That’s why we decided to not make you choose, but rather send you both SIM cards so that you can try what works best for you. You get two SIM cards for the price of one, at $3.99. Feel free to do whatever you want with the SIM card you don’t choose to activate. We’ve heard that SIM cards make great gifts to friends or family members 😉
Ordering a Starter Kit at US Mobile
Getting started with us is super easy! Begin by ordering a SIM kit, containing a GSM and Super LTE SIM card. Then, you need to activate your prepaid SIM card and choose between 800+ plans. Yes – we know that’s a lot of plans to choose from but we really want you to find the plan that suits your individual needs. Finally, insert the SIM card into your phone and you’re good to go! We even include a SIM card ejector to make the switch as smooth as can be.
As always you can bring your phone, keep your number and we won’t hold you to any contracts. If you haven’t checked out our new Super LTE plans yet, we suggest you head over to our Plans page. The unlimited plans are unique on the US market since it lets you decide the data speed.
Need for (Data) Speed? Or Do You Prefer a Cheaper Data Plan?
The fastest animal in the world is the cheetah, reaching speeds of up to 61 miles per hour. (Btw this record was set by an 11-year-old cheetah called Sarah in 2012.) But faster isn’t always better, at least not when it comes to data speeds.
Faster speed = More Consumption
We’ve covered this before but the faster data speed, the more data you end up using. If you do the exact same thing, for instance, download a file with slow data vs fast data you’ll use the exact same amount. That’s, however, not the case when you use your phone in a habitual way.
By having a faster data plan, your phone will download elements faster when you’re browsing the internet or watching videos. Instead of downloading partial sites you visit, you end up automatically download all of the page, including all its widgets. Entire videos will also be buffered, even though you just watched parts of it. This means that a faster data speed equals an increased consumption of background data. In addition to automatic downloads, you might be tempted to stream at a higher quality if your data is fast. This also consumes more of your data plan.
Our Data Plans
Similar to how certain apps like Netflix and Spotify lets you adjust streaming quality, we let you adjust your data speed in our plans. As far as we’re aware, we’re the only one on the market offering unlimited plans at different data speeds. If you mostly use your phone for regular web browsing in checking mail, a Standard data plan should be sufficient. You get about 1 Mbps with the Standard plan and by not maximizing your data speed, you can save $20 per month.
Further, a typical user might enjoy watching the occasional video clip, add stories to Instagram or snaps to Snapchat. If you’re that kind of user, you might be better off going with the Fast plan. The data speed is 5 Mbps, which means that you will have a smooth experience as you go about using your phone. If you’re a data hog, on the other hand, who enjoys watching a lot of moving content, go with the Ludicrous plan. The speed is uncapped, which means you’ll reach speeds of up to 150 Mbps. That’s nothing but blazing fast!
By offering data plans at the different speeds, you get the freedom to choose what’s more important to you – maximizing speed or being frugal. It’s up to you!
Using a Mobile Hotspot
As you can see in the matrix, you also get the option to add a mobile hotspot to your plan. So what is a hotspot? If you turn on your cellular connection into a Wi-Fi connection, you’re able to access and use the data plan from other devices than your phone. This is called creating a hotspot, or a mobile hotspot to be more specific. It’s a great service if you’re not able to connect to an open Wi-Fi but you need to send an email on the go or if you’re working temporarily at a location that lacks an internet connection. When you connect your computer to your phone, it’s called tethering.
All our Super LTE Custom plans include the hotspot service.
iPhone X Offer: Get $200 Back When Joining US Mobile
On the third of November, the first lucky ones will have an iPhone X in their hands. And we want to be the carrier of choice for all you iPhone X users out there! This is why we are offering $200 back for anyone who brings their iPhone X to our new Super LTE network. Also, did we mention that we’re not locking you into a contract and you don’t even have to trade in your existing device?
US Mobile’s iPhone X Offer
Yesterday we launched our Super LTE network and plans which are perfect for the new iPhone. As our CEO and Founder Ahmed Khattak phrased it: “We have the best network and plans for the new iPhone X and we want to prove it”.
Therefore, all iPhone X users, who join our new network will get $200 back. No strings attached. The $200 will be divided over the first 6 months of service with US Mobile. Meaning, $33.34 will be refunded on each month’s service plan (not including taxes, fees, or top-ups). So for example, a customer with a $40/month plan will receive a refund of $33.34 after the plan purchase is processed. Nevertheless, customers who are on a lower plan than $33.34, have gaps in service or leave US Mobile will forfeit their ability to claim the remainder of the refund. No cash back will be granted. The offer is limited to one per person, and it’s only available in the US.
To claim this offer, the only thing you need to do is to get a prepaid LTE SIM and activate it. Then fill out this simple form. We’ll take care of the rest! Unfortunately, this offer is now expired.
Buying the iPhone X
We don’t currently sell the iPhone X in our shop. But you can pre-order it from other stores, e.g. Apple store, and bring it to US Mobile for wireless service on the new Super LTE network. To be compatible with our network, you should bring an iPhone X that was sold with either Verizon or Sprint bands.
The overall response after testing the iPhone X is positive. According to various reviews, the Face ID is easy to set up and works well, even in pitch black and in weird angels. Another appreciated feature is the Apple Pay, which works very smoothly on the new phone. Basically, you just double tap the power button while looking at the phone. Then, you hold it up to the payment terminal and pay. According to testers, it’s much easier than older generation phones. Colorwise, it comes in a space gray and silver finish. The band around the phone is made of surgical-grade stainless steel for durability and sleek look. Finally, the price is $999 (without any type of discount).
Image Source: Apple and The Verge
Super LTE with Unlimited Plans and Special iPhone X Offer
GSM SIM Card & Super LTE SIM Card
We’re beyond excited to not just launch our second network (which happens to be America’s biggest LTE network) but also Unlimited Plans and an exclusive iPhone X offer! It’s a good day to be a US Mobile customer, or become one 😉
The New 4G LTE Network
This summer we announced that we’ll be launching on a second network and we’re so happy that the day has finally come! We will, of course, keep our GSM network. By having both, customers will be able to choose which network that is the optimal for them depending on where they live, user habits etc. To separate them, we’re calling the new network “Super LTE”, and the GSM network will simply be “GSM”. This will also be reflected in the new LTE SIM card.
Unlimited Plans
As if a new network wasn’t enough, we also decided to launch a number of unlimited plans. We want to be able to serve any kind of user, no matter device, user habits or geographical area. If you’re a data hogs, you’ll enjoy several options of unlimited data plans:
- Limited text and talk: Unlimited data + 100 min + 100 min, starting at just $35/month.
- Unlimited everything: Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Unlimited plus hotspot: Unlimited talk, text, and data including hotspot. Unlike many other hotspots, this will be uncapped like the data speed.
All plans come in three different speeds being Standard (1 Mbps), Fast (5 Mbps), and Ludicrous (up to 150 Mbps). That way you can choose if a blazingly fast data speed is more important to you than saving a few bucks every month.
If you don’t need unlimited data plans, we’ll also offer a plans matrix similar to the one we offer on the GSM network. The Super LTE customizable plans will have a welcome addition of a small bucket containing 40 minutes, for just $2.50 per month and 1GB will only cost $11 per month.
Super LTE and GSM Coverage
The Super LTE network is the biggest network in the country, which will be reflected in the coverage. In addition, the GSM network works best in urban areas with network ultra-fast data speeds in most cities. As always, coverage depends on where you are, and that’s why we have partnered with the two best networks in the US. So, no matter where you are you’ll get the best possible coverage with US Mobile.
New Features
The new network will share many of the features of the GSM network, like auto-pay and snooze functionality. Two new additions will be international calling and visual voicemail. The latter means, a voicemail with a visual interface. So instead of listening to your voicemails, you’ll able to read them and you can jump between different messages instead of sequential listening.
A third feature will be the ability to control data speeds as described above in the plans. By lower data speeds, the total data usage will be lower. Want to know more about how? Head over to Is Faster and Better Quality Network Eating More Data?
Compatibility
Compatible devices include all the mainstream Apple and Android phones, but less popular devices are not necessarily supported. Furthermore, the GSM network is compatible with the most devices of any network in the country. In order to find out if your device is compatible or not you can test your phone in our IMEI checker.
iPhone X Exclusive Offer
US Mobile wants to be the carrier of choice for all iPhone X users. Ahmed Khattak, CEO and Founder: “The iPhone X is the most anticipated phone in a decade, and that’s why we are offering $200 back for anyone who brings their iPhone X to our new Super LTE network and we won’t ask you to trade in your existing device. We have the best network and plans for the new iPhone X and we want to prove it”, said Khattak.
The offer is limited and only available in the United States. Maximum one per person when switching to US Mobile Super LTE. No contracts or credit checks required.
Q&A Prepaid Phone Plans – Reddit Asked and We Answered
Since the very beginning, US Mobile has offered prepaid phone plans. We believe that’s what gives our customer the most freedom and bang for their bucks. Still, there are a lot of questions lingering on what it is, if it’s better and how it works. That’s why we set out to do a Q&A on the topic.
In order to compile the most frequent questions, we did a thorough search on Reddit and here’s what Redditors want to know.
Is prepaid and Pay as You Go the same thing?
Not really, although they’re often used interchangeably. With prepaid plans, you pay in advance and once you’ve used up your plan you get disconnected from the service until you’ve bought another plan. If you Pay as You Go, you don’t buy a plan but rather minutes, texts, and data. Once you’ve used them, you can add more with physical or electronic refill cards.
Can I keep my number if I switch from postpaid to prepaid?
Yes, it doesn’t matter. You can port your number to the new provider.
My usage varies greatly – is postpaid or prepaid better?
This depends on whether you’re able to predict the variations or not. If you know when you that the next period will be lower, you can usually adjust prepaid plans in advance since you can regulate your plan month-to-month. If you have already paid for a larger plan in advance, and it turns out that your usage will be low, you can’t get that money back. Then it might be safer to buy a smaller plan, and top-up later in the month if needed. Postpaid, on the other hand, can be good if you don’t know how your usage will vary since you pay for what you have used. In order for this to work though, you shouldn’t be on an expensive base plan (like unlimited plans). Then it doesn’t matter how much you’ve used or not.
Postpaid, on the other hand, can be good if you don’t know how your usage will vary since you pay for what you have used. In order for this to work though, you shouldn’t be on an expensive base plan (like unlimited plans). Then it doesn’t matter how much you’ve used or not.
Do I need a Social Security number to get a prepaid phone plan?
No, no credit check or social security number is needed when signing up for a prepaid plan. Since you’re not in a contract, and you prepay for all your future usage, there is no reason for the carrier to get your background information. That’s also why prepaid plans are common for temporary or disposable phones.
Is it easy to cancel prepaid plans?
Having a prepaid phone plan means that you’re not under contract. That makes it easy to cancel at any time. What you need to keep in mind is how long you have prepaid for your plan before switching to another plan. Sometimes you prepay for 1 month, 3 months or even 12 months and once you’ve paid for a period, it tends to be hard to get out of. If you’re on a month-to-month plan, you have more flexibility. Just be mindful of the timing of the switch.
Can I get a discount on my device if I choose prepaid?
In rare occasions, you can get a discount on a device when joining a prepaid carrier. However, it’s a lot more common when you’re in a contract. The reason why postpaid carriers can give you discounted phones is that they know you’ll be a customer for at least 24 months, and they can earn the discounted amount back on the monthly service payments. That’s also one of the reasons why postpaid plans is usually more expensive than prepaid plans.
Can data rollover if you’re on a prepaid plan?
Rollover means that data, talk and/or text roll over from one billing cycle to the next if it hasn’t been used. And the answer is that it doesn’t matter if you’re paying for your plan in advance or at the end of the cycle. Every carrier chooses if they want to allow rollover or not. At US Mobile, all addons rollover for a separate cycle of 30 days, not following the base plan’s cycle.
Do I get the same downloading speeds as when I’m in a contract?
Throttling, which means intentionally slowing down data speeds, is a sensitive topic among carriers. Most carriers clearly state that they’ll start deprioritizing a user’s data speeds after they’ve used a certain amount of data in one billing cycle. The cap is usually between 20 Gb and 50 Gb. Now, some carriers do offer prepaid plans at a lower data speed than their postpaid plan. However, unless it’s clearly stated, the prepaid plans should have the same downloading speeds as postpaid plans. Head over to Rootmetrics if you want to learn more about individual carrier’s speeds.
How Do eSIMs work for prepaid carriers?
eSIM is a fairly new phenomenon and not implemented across the industry. eSIM is a standardized SIM chip open to multiple mobile carriers, instead of one specific carrier. To begin with, only selected carriers will support eSIM. It will also probably take a long time before all phone manufacturers will scrap the traditional SIM card slot. Prepaid or postpaid won’t matter in this sense, as it will be carrier-related if eSIM will be supported or not.
Do you need help on deciding which plan that suits your needs the best? Head over to Choosing the Best Prepaid Phone Plan for You. Let us know in the comments if you have other questions we should add to this Q&A.
