Don’t like dealing with the four largest carriers in US? Well, you may be in luck. A recent report by MacRumors tells us that nine regional carriers will start offering the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on their networks. When the two iPhones were announced earlier this month, there was no mention of the two devices reaching any regional carriers, only knowing that the phones would be offered on the four major carriers, as expected.
The regional carriers have announced that starting October 1, they will start offering the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c to their customers.
The following regional telcos will start offering the iPhone starting October 1:
- Appalachian Wireless
- Bluegrass Cellular
- C Spire
- Cellcom
- GCI
- MTA
- Nex-Tech Wireless
- Ntelos
- Strata
As far as pricing goes, the only carrier to announce pricing in Appalachian Wireless. The telco said that the iPhone 5c 16GB model will cost $49.99 and the 32GB model will cost $149.99. As for the iPhone 5s, it will be priced at 16GB model for $149.99, 32GB model for $249.99, and 64GB model for $349.99. As always, these prices are for customers who sign a 2-year contract agreement.
Now before you decide to jump to one of the regional carriers, be sure to check out their coverage map. Regional carriers operate in certain area, as opposed to not being available nationwide.
It doesn’t seem that long ago when AT&T use to be the sole exclusive partner with Apple to carry the iPhone. Verizon started to offer the iPhone next in 2011, then came along Sprint, and finally, T-Mobile jumped on the bandwagon earlier this year.
Will you be jumping onto one of the regional carriers?