Skip to main content

RadioShack announces new wireless service free of contracts

RadioShack
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Detailed within the Wall Street Journal earlier today, RadioShack is partnering with Leap Wireless in order to offer a new mobile phone service called RadioShack No-Contract Wireless. Available at stores starting tomorrow, RadioShack customers that want a standard cellular phone will be able to choose between two different, no-contract wireless service plans that both offer unlimited text messaging as well as unlimited data. The main difference between the two plans is the amount of minutes offered to the user. The $25 plan offers 300 minutes for voice calls and the $35 plan offers 1000 minutes per month. In addition, anyone using RadioShack’s new service won’t have to sign up for a one-year or two-year contract. This is ideal for customers that aren’t interested in being locked into a specific carrier for an extended period of time. It’s also helpful for anyone with a poor credit history. 

Huawei Mercury IceHowever, RadioShack customers that are interested in a smartphone will have to spend more money each month. While the two service plans for smartphones both offer unlimited voice minutes as well as unlimited text messaging, there are data caps in place. At the $50-a-month service level, users have 1GB of 3G data usage before the data is throttled by Leap Wireless. Additional data at full speed can be purchased at a price of $1 per 50MB of data which translates to $20 per 1GB of data.  

Recommended Videos

At the $60-a-month price, users get to utilize 2.5GB of data each month before data throttling kicks in. In addition, users get extra features like unlimited 411 directory assistance, mobile hotspot tethering and unlimited international texts. Users at the $50 level can use 411 directory assistance and international texting, but at an extra cost.

Along with the launch of the no-contract wireless service, RadioShack will be selling the Huawei Mercury Ice and the Huawei Pillar to go with the service. At a price of $149.99, the Android-powered Huawei Mercury Ice offers a 4-inch display, a 8-megapixel camera and a 1.4-GHz processor. The less-advanced Huawei Pillar will be sold at a modest price of $39.99 and offers a built-in camera, full QWERTY keyboard and mobile Web access. RadioShack representatives are also planning on launching two more phones before the end of the month.

Leap-WirelessAccording to the Journal, RadioShack is attempting to take advantage of the large demand for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets despite the small margin of profit.

With thousands of retails locations in the United States, RadioShack management hopes to leverage the company’s visibility to attract more wireless customers. Both RadioShack and Leap Wireless are in a position where each company needs to increase profitability over the next year to appease investors.

With the RadioShack No-Contract Wireless service, RadioShack will be going up against companies like Virgin Mobile. For instance, Virgin Mobile offers more competitive pricing on no-contract smartphone plans. Customers can get unlimited data and texting with Virgin Mobile for as little as $35 per month. Even with enabling a mobile hotspot on a HTC EVO V, a Virgin Mobile customer could spend as little as $50 per month without signing up for a contract.

Topics
Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
How to use Private Space, Android 15’s best new feature
Private Space option in app library of Android 15.

Android 15 has arrived with a renewed focus on security and privacy features that offer new ways to keep your phone and your data safe.

As usual, Pixel phones are at the front of the line for the update, while others may have to wait a few weeks or even months, but once you've got Android 15, you'll be able to take advantage of features like an enhanced Lockdown Mode that blocks file access through your USB port when engaged, partial screen recording to save you from inadvertently leaking private data, and Private Space — a new feature that finally gives you a secure vault for those apps you don't want others to see.

Read more
Siri better watch out. Samsung just launched its biggest Bixby update in years
The Galaxy S24 Ultra's screen.

For the last several years, Samsung's Bixby assistant has felt like an afterthought. Especially in 2024, as Google is launching Gemini and Apple is radically improving Siri, Bixby has been sitting in the corner without any new features to compete.

However, it looks like that's finally changing. During a launch event in China for the Galaxy W25 and W25 Flip, Samsung also announced its "next-generation Bixby." This new generation of Bixby is promising a healthy dose of new AI features, many of which should put it on a much more level playing field with Gemini and Siri.

Read more
How to download Android 15 right now
The Android 15 logo on a smartphone.

Android 15 is now officially available, and users with compatible devices can install it right away. After months of testing, the update includes several new features and various improvements. Below, we’ll explore how to download it and what you can expect once it’s installed.

Read more