$149 iPhone 5 now available from Strata Networks

iPhone 5 (two-up, front, back, flat, thumbnail)

As promised last week, Strata Networks, a regional U.S. wireless carrier, finally landed the iPhone 5 today. And, in emulating fellow rural telcos, Strata is offering Apple’s device with a $50 discount compared to the asking prices at Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. Specifically, the iPhone 5 is available for $149 for the 16GB model, $249 for the 32GB model and $349 for the high-end model with 64 gigabytes of storage. The iPhone 5 is available in all Strata stores in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.

They don’t mention web sales, though Strata did update its web site this morning to reflect the devices’ availability. The carrier is also selling the iPhone 4S for $49 and the iPhone 4 for free, with a qualifying contract. Would-be subscribers should be pleased to know that the iPhone 5 is compatible with Strata’s 4G LTE network that the company started deploying ahead of Christmas 2012…

I called Strata HQ this morning and they confirmed the iPhone 5 is now available in their stores.

The Roosevelt, Utah telco has 50,000 customers and operates a CDMA network so buyers will require an LTE SIM. Strata’s LTE covers local markets in Colorado and Idaho, including several counties in Utah and the Uintah Basin in Duchesne County.

Plans stat at eighty bucks per month for 600 voice minutes, unlimited texting to any network and one gigabyte of data. For five bucks a month more, you get unlimited voice minutes and text messages.

Strata iPhone 5 plans

Additional data plans are available ranging from 300MB to 20GB.

All prices entail a new 24-month contract.