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US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative

Whether you’re researching US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

US Cellular
Price: $49.99 - $69.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 100 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (15)

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Highland Telephone Cooperative
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (5)

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US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative compete directly in approximately 0.13% of their service areas, with US Cellular covering 28,344,249 people nationwide and Highland Telephone Cooperative serving 64,746. US Cellular primarily delivers internet through a fixed wireless connection; Highland Telephone Cooperative specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Pros & Cons

US Cellular Logo

Pros:

  • Offers discounted intro pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required
  • Compatible with standard Wi-Fi devices

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Some plans may have data caps
  • Limited download speeds

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Highland Telephone Cooperative Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Service available in rural areas
  • Highly rated by customers
  • Extensive fiber network

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Speeds fluctuate during peak usage hours
  • May require credit check for service activation

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US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Availability

US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | US Cellular Available | Highland Telephone Cooperative Available | No Coverage

US Cellular currently offers internet service in 10,031 cities and 686 counties across 24 states, reaching approximately 28,344,249 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Milwaukee, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; and Tulsa, OK. By comparison, Highland Telephone Cooperative serves 64,746 residents in 93 cities and 9 counties in 3 states, with a presence in population centers such as Knoxville, TN; Oneida, TN; and Wartburg, TN.

US Cellular has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 36 indicates they primarily serves urban areas, though still maintaining moderate rural availability..

Highland Telephone Cooperative is prominent in State with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 98, Highland Telephone Cooperative has a strong emphasis on rural communities, providing extensive coverage in less densely populated areas.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative at your location, use our address search tool:

US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Speeds & Technology

US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

Across their service areas, US Cellular primarily delivers internet through fixed wireless, available to 100.0% of their customers. Highland Telephone Cooperative relies on fiber technology, which comprises 100.0% of their network, with DSL available in less than 1% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Highland Telephone Cooperative offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,000 Mbps compared to US Cellular’s average speed of 33 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Highland Telephone Cooperative delivers faster speeds in 0.00% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.00%, and slower speeds in 100.00%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. US Cellular’s premium fixed wireless service reaches 100.0% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Highland Telephone Cooperative’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

US Cellular Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Home Internet Basic$40.0025 Mbps5 MbpsFixed Wireless
Home Internet Standard$60.00100 Mbps20 MbpsFixed Wireless
Home Internet Premium$80.00300 Mbps50 MbpsFixed Wireless

Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified June 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

US Cellular Plans

Highland Telephone Cooperative Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
By the Gig$29.99200 Mbps10 MbpsFixed Wireless
Unlimited$39.99200 Mbps10 MbpsFixed Wireless
Unlimited Max$49.99200 Mbps10 MbpsFixed Wireless

Sourced directly from Highland Telephone Cooperative's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

Highland Telephone Cooperative Plans

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Customer Ratings & Reviews

Compare how real customers rate US Cellular and Highland Telephone Cooperative based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, US Cellular earns an overall rating of 3.33 / 5 stars from 18 customer reviews, while Highland Telephone Cooperative maintains a 4.40 / 5 rating from 5 reviews. Highland Telephone Cooperative outperforms US Cellular by 1.1 points in overall satisfaction. US Cellular’s best-rated service is their Fixed Wireless offering at 3.33 / 5 stars, compared to Highland Telephone Cooperative’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.40 / 5 stars.

US Cellular Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.33 of 5 stars

(18)

US Cellular has an overall rating of 3.33 out of 5, with a total of 18 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into US Cellular’s ratings, their Fixed Wireless service (100% of reviews) averages 3.33 / 5 stars, equal to their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our US Cellular Internet Reviews page.

Highland Telephone Cooperative Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.40 of 5 stars

(5)

Highland Telephone Cooperative has an overall rating of 4.40 out of 5, with a total of 5 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Highland Telephone Cooperative’s ratings, their Fiber service (100% of reviews) averages 4.40 / 5 stars, equal to their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Highland Telephone Cooperative Internet Reviews page.

US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Fees & Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

US Cellular Service

Fee

Not Provided by US Cellular

Highland Telephone Cooperative Service

Fee

activation fee

$25.00

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

US Cellular vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative | Top Cities

US Cellular serves 10,031 cities while Highland Telephone Cooperative is available in 93 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

US Cellular Cities

Milwaukee, WI
  • Availability: 99.09%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 62 Mbps
Oklahoma City, OK
  • Availability: 94.46%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 14 Mbps
Tulsa, OK
  • Availability: 95.40%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 18 Mbps
Omaha, NE
  • Availability: 96.48%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 18 Mbps
Knoxville, TN
  • Availability: 94.06%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 24 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Knoxville, TN
  • US Cellular Avg. Speed: 24 Mbps
  • Highland Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Oneida, TN
  • US Cellular Avg. Speed: 13 Mbps
  • Highland Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Wartburg, TN
  • US Cellular Avg. Speed: 17 Mbps
  • Highland Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Helenwood, TN
  • US Cellular Avg. Speed: 21 Mbps
  • Highland Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Lancing, TN
  • US Cellular Avg. Speed: 12 Mbps
  • Highland Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps

Highland Telephone Cooperative Cities

Knoxville, TN
  • Availability: 2.71%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Oneida, TN
  • Availability: 99.73%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Wartburg, TN
  • Availability: 71.69%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Helenwood, TN
  • Availability: 100.00%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Pine Knot, KY
  • Availability: 99.66%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps