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Regional carriers picking up the iPhone 5s, 5c on October 1
Demand is still huge at Apple Stores and the major carriers are reporting depleted stocks of the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, but that's not keeping nine of America's regional carriers from announcing that they'll be launching the latest iPhones on their networks on October 1. So far, those carriers include: Appalachian Wireless Bluegrass Cellular C Spire Cellcom GCI MTA Nex-Tech Wireless Ntelos Strata Other carriers have also announced that the new iPhones are on the way, but haven't yet announced a firm launch date. Apple's complete list of carriers that currently offer the iPhone can be found on this support knowledge base page.
US Cellular now letting you sample its network without signing a contract
Taking a play-before-you-pay approach, for a limited time, US Cellular is giving prospective customers the option to try its network without committing to a service agreement. This offer is available in select markets, including Eureka, CA, Klamath Falls, OR and Knoxville, TN. While this may sound similar to what most carriers offer, the differences here are that you're not required to sign a service contract and that you don't have to pay for any equipment. Instead, US Cellular provides a loaner device (the Motorola Electrify M, Samsung Chrono 2 or Samsung Galaxy Metrix) for eight days with an allotment of 500 minutes, 500 texts and 1GB of data. While this program doesn't feature the most elite handsets, it does give potential patrons a preview of the regional carrier without having to exchange any vows.
Regional carrier Strata Networks to carry iPhone 5
After earlier news today that you can move your unlocked iPhone 5 to the Solavei network for some US$49 all-you-can-eat lovin', we've heard of a new regional carrier -- Strata Networks -- that will soon carry the iPhone 5 and provide another alternative to the blue, red, yellow and magenta networks. Utah-based co-op Strata Networks provides local service in the Uintah Basin, the Western Slope of Colorado and parts of Idaho. The carrier recently lit up an LTE network covering the population centers of Utah, and provides 2G/3G service for customers across the rest of the US. At this time, Strata is just taking names for current or potential customers who wish to be notified when the iPhone 5 arrives.
Bluegrass Cellular offering homespun wisdom, iPhone 5 for $150 on November 2nd
When we think about Kentucky, we're put in mind of dusky beverages, Harland Sanders' chicken and its legendary derby. That's why it's so nice to see regional carrier Bluegrass Cellular offering the iPhone 5 on its network. The handset arrives on November 2nd, with the 16GB variant setting you back $150 on any of its plans, the cheapest offering you 200 minutes, Unlimited texts and 3GB data for $65. We've got all of the plans laid out for you after the break, so grab your twelve-string and join in.
PSA: iPhone 5 available in 22 more countries, on Cricket and US regional carriers galore
Disappointed that your country or favorite carrier missed the initial cut for the iPhone 5 launch? Odds are that you're all good now. Worldwide, 22 more countries have joined the mix as of today, including wide swaths of Europe as well as New Zealand; you'll find the full list in the release here. Americans also don't have to turn to the big carriers, as they can now opt for prepaid carrier Cricket in addition to a slew of extra providers that include C Spire as well as regionals like GCI and nTelos. In some cases, you'll even snag a discount by going with one of the smaller networks. If you bagged an iPhone in Barcelona, or caught one on Cellcom, let others know how it's going in the comments. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
C Spire, regional carriers join the iPhone 5 deluge on September 28th
Don't worry about Cricket hogging the spotlight during the second wave of the iPhone 5's US launch. C Spire, Appalachian Wireless and Alaska's GCI have also promised to carry Apple's taller smartphone on the same September 28th date. Details of the arrival will have to wait, although they're not likely to veer sharply from the prices and rates that carriers were setting back in the iPhone 4S days. There are a few gaps in the narrative versus the earlier releases: we have yet to see news from GCI's Alaskan neighbors as well as Cellcom or nTelos, for example. The plan is nonetheless a sign that Apple wants to blanket the American landscape with new iPhones as quickly as possible. [Thanks, Colby] Update: Not surprisingly, nTelos has also confirmed (PDF) that it's hopping aboard the September 28th iPhone 5 train.
iPhone about prestige for smaller carriers
GigaOM talked to Pat Riordan, CEO of regional carrier Cellcom, about the iPhone and why this small wireless provider decided to add Apple's smartphone to its lineup. Cellcom is one of seven small carriers that started carrying the iPhone earlier this year. According to Riordan, selling the iPhone is not just about numbers; it's also about prestige. The iPhone is desirable to customers, who were leaving Cellcom to get the Apple handset elsewhere. Riordan said, "We know our sales had been falling between the end of the year and April, and we think not having the iPhone was the reason." While Verizon and AT&T sell millions of iPhones each quarter, Cellcom won't disclose how many iPhones it has sold, but the CEO did confirm the handset was attracting new customers who come into stores because they see an iPhone on display.
Samsung Galaxy S III coming to C Spire 'later this year'
And then there were six. With US Cellular breaking the barrier of regional carriers getting a flagship device at the same time as its national rivals, C Spire (formerly Cellular South) wants to join the cause by announcing that it will carry the Samsung Galaxy S III -- and we doubt it will be the last to hop on board, given that MetroPCS was listed on the US sign-up page alongside these other six carriers. The company wasn't so keen on providing exact details of pricing or availability, so all we know is that it's on track for a release "later this year" and we'll get more information in the coming weeks. If we were the gambling sort, we'd bet that C Spire is aiming to push this as its inaugural LTE device when the network is deployed this coming September. Judging by the picture alone, we're not expecting any major surprises with this particular flavor, but that shouldn't come as a shocker to anyone who has been following the GS3 news on the US front. Welcome to the party, pal. [Thanks, Fred]
iPhone comes to two more small US carriers
After landing at several smaller US carriers in April, Apple's iPhone is poised to make another round of expansion into regional markets later this month, according to MacRumors. As of the writing of this post, three wireless carriers, including Bluegrass Cellular of Kentucky, Golden State Cellular of California and Nex-Tech Wireless of Kansas, will start selling the iPhone 4S on May 18. These regional operators will offer the iPhone for US$50 off Apple's retail price with the 16 GB model selling for US$149, the 32 GB for $249 and the 64 GB for $349. The trio will also sell the iPhone 4 for $49. All prices require a two-year customer agreement.
iPhone will launch for five US regional carriers today
As noted by Cnet, the iPhone is launching on an additional five US regional carriers today. The carriers include Alaska Communications, Appalachian Wireless (Kentucky and Virgina), Cellcom (Wisconsin and Michigan), nTelos (Virginia), and GCI (Alaska). The regional carriers apparently know they'll have an uphill battle against the national carriers like AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, so they're offering the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S at $50 discounts over the nationals. With a two year contract, the 8GB iPhone 4 costs $49 and the 16, 32, and 64 GB iPhone 4S costs $149, $249, and $349 respectively.
US Cellular ships first LTE smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S Aviator
Welp, that didn't take long. Just weeks after US Cellular's first LTE device hit the shops (yeah, the Galaxy Tab 10.1), in flies the carrier's first 4G LTE smartphone. It's the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator -- otherwise known as the Droid Charge -- taking the crown, shipping today with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touchpanel, front-facing camera, Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread), an eight-megapixel rear-facing camera, an HDMI output and access to Google Play (despite the deceased 'Market' logo shown on the press imagery above). The bulk of you will be asked to pony up $199.99 on a two-year contract (and after a $100 mail-in rebate), but "select" LTE cities will be selling it for $100 less; as for LTE service, we're told that portions of Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin are being served now, while coverage is expected to expand to Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia in the latter half of the year.
Virginia-based nTelos Wireless to sell the iPhone
Virginia-based nTelos will be the latest regional carrier to start selling the iPhone, AppleInsider reports. The CDMA carrier will be undercutting other iPhone carriers across the board, offering each model for $50 less than AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, starting with the iPhone 4 for $49.99. nTelos' smartphone plan for iPhone offers unlimited voice, text and data for $99.99 per month. Sales begin at 7 a.m. on April 20. nTelos is the second regional carrier to join the ranks of iPhone resellers. C-Spire Wireless, which covers the Deep South, started selling the iPhone in October. nTelos covers Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky and North Carolina.
Is C-Spire getting the iPhone 4S? Its website says so (Update: confirmed)
Whoa, stop the presses -- we're not sure if this is officially in the pipeline or if it's just a matter of wishful thinking, but Sprint may not be the smallest carrier in the US to offer an iPhone 4S for much longer. That's right: regional carrier C-Spire (formerly known as Cellular South) has the iconic device splattered front and center on its home page, stating that it's coming soon. We're not certain if the iPhone 4 will be offered as well, and no specific availability or pricing is given yet, but you can sign up to be notified as soon as more 411 is ready. The possibility of one of the little guys getting the iPhone is an exciting prospect, since it may lead the charge for more regional service providers to get Apple'd up. We love rooting for the underdog, after all. Update: And just like that, it's official, folks! C-Spire just reached out to us to confirm that iPhone pre-registration begins today, with the device launch in "the coming weeks." Needless to say, if you're a C-Spire customer, your holiday wish list may have just grown. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
LightSquared signs roaming agreement with ClearTalk, thumbs nose at industry opposition
For a nascent LTE network beset by GPS interference troubles, LightSquared's rolling right along, snatching up new clients for its wholesale service. The Phil Falcone-backed wireless upstart's just inked a roaming agreement with Flat Wireless' ClearTalk that'll extend nationwide coverage to customers in the small operator's footprint. The deal is the latest in a string of partnerships for the LTE wholesaler that'll see its 4G network roll-out to mostly rural and underserved markets -- barring any industry-mounted obstacles. Behind-the-scenes drama aside, it looks like the company's taking a business as usual approach to its much contested launch. Full PR after the break.
