Free Newsletter
Cellular South selling HTC Hero for $99
Free newsletter via e-mail
Tools
Cellular South is taking pre-orders for its first phone based on Google's Android platform, the HTC Hero, and announced that it will sell the device for $99, making it the cheapest Android phone on the market. The regional carrier also introduced a new, monthly smartphone data and calling plan for $80. 
The carrier will sell the Hero for $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. By contrast, Sprint Nextel, which is launching the phone Oct. 11, is selling the Hero for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Cellular South spokesman Dave Miller did not disclose when the company would officially launch the smartphone, but told FierceWireless that a launch was "imminent." Cellular South also plans to launch several other Android devices in the near future.
The Hero is widely considered by analysts to be one of the best Android devices on the market, and the fact that two carriers are supporting it may help broaden its appeal.
In conjunction with the impending Hero launch, Cellular South introduced a new rate plan called the Smartphone Unlimited Plan. The plan includes unlimited voice, texting, Web access and email for $80 per month. For each $80 plan, customers can add a second smartphone plan for $40 per month.
"We actually believe that the HTC Hero--with the Android mobile operating system--really is the next big thing in wireless as far as the ability to personalize and customize your device," Miller said. Correspondingly, there "has to be a plan that takes full advantage of the capabilities of that device."
The key differentiator to the Hero is HTC's Sense UI, which sports several features including putting a contact's photo alongside their text messages, emails and call history in a single view. Similar to the Push Internet feature that HTC unveiled at Mobile World Congress, Sense also will allow users to have customizable, push-based widgets such as weather, Twitter and email.
For more:
- see this release
Related Articles:
Cellular South to launch Android-based HTC Hero
Sprint to launch its first Android phone, the HTC Hero
Cellular South will launch an Android phone this year
Google: 18 Android phones coming this year
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | October 6, 2009 - 2:19pm
This is the best news I have hear for smart phones. I can have 2 unlimited phones for only $120. That is cheaper than just one iPhone. I can't wait to get my hands on the Hero!
Posted by Anonymous | October 6, 2009 - 2:19pm
It looks like the iPhone has met its match. Look out world here comes the Hero.
Posted by Anonymous | October 6, 2009 - 2:23pm
I'm going to be the first in line on the day the Hero comes out. My current bill is more than $200 a month. This is going to save me a bundle.
Posted by jake&thefatman | October 6, 2009 - 2:28pm
What a perfect phone for this new plan. Cellular South is going to be everyone's "Hero".
Posted by wonderbread | October 6, 2009 - 3:36pm
I am going to switch my business over to Cellular South. With this new pan, I am going to save thousands of dollars a year and have better service.
Posted by Elk | October 6, 2009 - 5:39pm
Seeing as it's a shame I don't have Cellular South in my area, I'm still happy to hear more benefits for the Hero and Android in general. I will be getting the HTC Hero with a Sprint account this coming weekend.
Congratulations to the lucky people who have Cellular South :)
Posted by WilliamC | October 6, 2009 - 7:10pm
Help your carriers out. BUY A SERVICE OR PRODUCT TODAY!!! We want healthy and robust competition. Some carriers are paying hefty subsidies to get and keep their customers. Let's thank them by doing something in return. GO TO YOUR CARRIERS WEBSITE AND EXPLORE THEIR OFFERINGS AND MAYBE MAKE A PURCHASE....
Posted by adamschiller | October 7, 2009 - 1:17pm
I live in Dallas, TX...can I get service with Cellular South? I see that I'm in their coverage area, but no stores in my area? This would save me a ton.
Thank you.
Posted by gospel gangsta | October 19, 2009 - 3:04pm
well looks like the rest of the companies cant touch the south.
Posted by Anonymous | October 19, 2009 - 8:45pm
You can purchase it online.. Cellular South doesn't have to be near you.. You can basically do everything online..
Posted by blackandwhite | October 29, 2009 - 3:23pm
My wife and I are switching from AT&T as soon as this comes out. We are paying $130 a month and I don't have text or web on my phone, plus we are sharing 700 minutes. This would give us more benefits for less money. This is a no brainer.
Posted by Robin | November 4, 2009 - 1:12pm
I have had Cellular South as a carrier for over 8 years and the service has been great the entire time. The customer service has been great as well. Glad it's getting more recongition.
Comments (12) | Post a comment