RadioShack Wireless is finally official, arrives on September 5th

We’ve known for a while that RadioShack is planning to announce its own Cricket-powered No Contract Wireless service. Now, it’s finally official. RadioShack will launch the service on September 5th. Again, we aren’t surprised, but it’s nice to have official confirmation.

Initially, RadioShack Wireless will only carry one feature phone and one Android smartphone. The feature phone is the Huawei Pillar QWERTY for $39.99. As for the Android device, we’re looking at low-end Huawei Mercury Ice will cost $149.99.

What do you get for that $150? A rather basic smartphone with a 1.4GHz processor, 4-inch FWVGA display and Android 2.3. This isn’t exactly a killer smartphone, but with no contract to subsidize the price, it’s really not that bad of a price tag.

Were you hoping for a wider range of choices from RadioShack? The company says they do plan unveil more devices, with two other phones rolling out by the end of the month. Whether this upcoming phones are both feature phones, smartphones or one of each, we’re yet to find out.

Phones aside, what about the actual service? The cheapest plan is just $25 for feature phones and $50 for smartphones. All plans include unlimited text messaging, caller ID, visual voicemail, and at least some data. As for smartphone users, you can choose between a $50 or $60 monthly plan.

The $50 plan includes unlimited calling and 1GB of 3G data. As for the $60 smartphone plan, you’ll also get tethering, and 2.5GB of unthrottled data. Both plans come with Cricket’s Muve Music.

Sign-ups start tomorrow at your local RadioShack store.

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This strategic collaboration represents a new choice in mobility and illustrates how both RadioShack and Cricket are dedicated to providing the right phones, the right features and the right plans to meet their consumers’ needs. It brings together the convenience and mobility expertise that RadioShack is known for, with the great value and best-in-class wireless services that Cricket delivers. With a choice of plans that feature nationwide coverage with no contracts, the new RadioShack No-Contract Wireless powered by Cricket gives consumers yet another option for staying connected wherever they go.

RadioShack No-Contract Wireless Phones

The RadioShack No-Contract Wireless line-up will include some of the hottest smartphones on the market as well as a well-equipped feature phone, offering all the connectivity, productivity and entertainment consumers are looking for in a mobile device.

Two phones – the Huawei Mercury Ice and the Huawei Pillar – are available in-store starting this week, with two additional phones expected to be available by the end of September.

• The Huawei Mercury Ice is available tomorrow and is exclusive to RadioShack for the next 30 days. At $149.99, it’s a serious multitasker with a fun side. The Android 2.3 phone is powered by a 1.4 GHz processor, and its scratch-resistant 4-inch FWVGA screen displays crystal clear pictures and videos shot with the 8MP camera or camcorder. With Muve Music® included in the $50 a month unlimited data plan, the phone delivers unlimited song downloads, ringtones and ringback tones.
• Value priced at $39.99 with service plans that start at only $25 a month, the Huawei Pillar is the ideal feature phone for consumers who find themselves texting to stay in touch. The Pillar is a compact device with a full QWERTY keyboard and mobile Web access to keep consumers connected while on the go. And with the phone’s built-in camera, consumers can snap and share pics of where they are and what they’re doing anytime.

“Mobility is about choices at RadioShack, and we are pleased to announce our newest choices with RadioShack No-Contract Wireless powered by Cricket,” said Allen McClard, vice president of mobility for RadioShack Corp. “As a leader in the mobility category, RadioShack knows that each consumer is looking for something different when it comes to their mobile phone, and RadioShack No-Contract Wireless is part of our promise to continue to evolve in the wireless space to meet those needs.”

Get Your Muve Music on With RadioShack No-Contract Wireless

Available on all RadioShack No-Contract Wireless smartphones is Cricket’s Muve Music, the only music service designed specifically for mobile phones. Muve Music offers unlimited full song downloads from a catalog of millions of songs – all included in the wireless plan at no additional cost. The unique music service features fast downloads and high-quality audio for listening to your favorite music on your no-contract smartphone.

RadioShack No-Contract Wireless smartphones are the only Muve Music phones that come bundled with an 8GB SanDisk memory card, allowing consumers to store up to 6,000 songs, as well as pictures and videos, on their device.

“We’re pleased to join with RadioShack to deliver high-quality, no-contract wireless services including our award-winning Muve Music service,” said Robert Young, executive vice president, field operations for Cricket. “Now RadioShack customers can experience Muve Music and the unlimited music platform it provides on their phone. Wireless customers are looking for top-quality devices, service plans that fit their needs and entertainment, all at a great value, and we’re pleased to help bring these products to RadioShack customers.”

Service Plans Powered by Cricket

RadioShack No-Contract Wireless will offer a selection of service plans for its feature phone and smartphones, giving consumers options and choices on the phone and service plan that best meet their needs. Feature phone plans start at $25 a month for 300 minutes plus unlimited messaging and Web access. For customers looking to increase their voice minutes, the$35 a month service plan offers 1,000 minutes plus unlimited messaging and Web access.

Smartphone plans start at $50 a month and include unlimited data (1GB at full-speed), unlimited minutes and domestic text messaging plus unlimited music with Muve Music. For users needing even more data flexibility, a second service plan offers unlimited data (2.5GB at full-speed), with unlimited minutes and international text messaging plus unlimited music with Muve Music, for $60 a month.

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