U.S. Cellular Announces 4G LTE Samsung Mobile Hotspot

In an effort to shore up its current 4G LTE lineup, U.S. Cellular has today announced a new 4G LTE mobile hotspot from Samsung which is now available online and will become available in stores starting May 21st.

The device, whose full name is the 4G LTE Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot, will allow U.S. Cellular users to connect five devices so as to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds.

Like other 4G LTE networks in the United States, U.S. Cellular’s network provides users with data speeds that can reach up to 10 times faster than normal 3G.

Those unfamiliar with 4G LTE data speeds can see just how fast it is in the video below. A Motorola Droid Bionic, powered by Verizon’s 4G LTE network, absolutely smokes a 3G iPhone 4S in a data speed test.

U.S. Cellular will be offering the device up for a mere $50 after a $50 mail-in rebate in areas that are currently covered by the carrier’s 4G LTE network and in areas where the carrier will be rolling it out later this year.

Customers who purchase the hotspot will have to choose a monthly data plan option and options include 300 MB for $10, 2 GB for $25, 5 GB for $50 and 10 GB for $90.

Earlier this year, U.S. Cellular announced a massive 4G LTE roll out that is set to take place later on this year and at least some cities that will be seeing service soon include Rockford and Peoria, Ill.; Columbia and Jefferson City, Mo.; Manchester, N.H.; Wilmington and Jacksonville, N.C.; Tulsa, Okla.; Medford, Ore.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Roanoke and Lynchburg, Va.; Yakima and the Tri-Cities, Wash.; Morgantown, W. Va. and LaCrosse and Beloit, Wis.

By the end of 2012, the carrier plans to have more than half of its customers covered by 4G LTE data.