CHICAGO -- U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) has launched new No Contract plans for customers with unlimited data, voice and messaging on the latest phones starting at $40 per month. These new offerings, called Simple Connect plans, are ideal for customers who want unlimited usage on the latest devices and the freedom and simplicity of a no contract plan. A variety of 4G LTE and 3G Android and Apple devices are available with these plans, and currently nearly 90 percent of U.S. Cellular customers are covered by a 4G LTE network.

In addition, U.S. Cellular is allowing customers to purchase a new device for $0 down on Simple Connect plans as well as the company's Shared Data plans, now named Shared Connect plans. Customers then make monthly payments towards the cost of the device on their wireless bill.

For $50 per month on a Simple Connect plan, smartphone customers get unlimited voice, messaging and data with 500MB of the data being high-speed. Data is slowed after the 500MB are used but remains unlimited. For $60 per month, customers get unlimited voice, messaging and data with 2GB of the data being high-speed. Customers looking for a basic phone can pay $40 per month for unlimited voice, messaging and data. Simple Connect plan customers can choose to pay up front for their device and month to month services, or finance their device and receive a bill for financing and service.

With the new Retail Installment Contract option, U.S. Cellular customers on Shared Connect or Simple Connect plans can now pay tax on the device at the point of sale ($0 down payment), and then make 24 monthly device payments that are conveniently added to their wireless bill. Customers can also pay off the full balance of their new device anytime they want.

To help kick off the launch of these new offerings, for a limited time, U.S. Cellular is paying off customers' old contracts, up to $350 per line, when they switch to a Shared Connect plan and choose the Retail Installment Contract. Anyone who ports their number from another carrier and sends in their final bill with the early termination fee on it will receive a prepaid debit card for that amount.

U.S. Cellular Corp. (NYSE: USM)