Consumer Information on Cell Phones
The United Nations estimated by the end of 2008 there would be more than 4 billion cellphone subscribers. Cellphones have become so important and prevalent in modern society that they are now considered to be more of a necessity than a simple accessory.
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Types of Cellphones
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There are two main types of cellphones: GSM and CDMA-compatible. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. GSM phones need a SIM (subscriber identity module) card to communicate with the network to send and receive calls and messages. It is easier to switch between GSM phones under the same service, because all you need to do is switch the SIM card. On the same token, if the SIM card is lost all of the user's data is gone too.
CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. This type of phone has a built-in chip that sends signals to the network. CDMA cell phone service tends to be stronger than GSM. However, there aren't as many phone choices available as compared with GSM. You cannot use a GSM-compatible phone with a CDMA service provider and vice versa.
Service Providers
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There are four main cell phone providers in the United States: Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint. These companies have cell phones specifically designed by the manufacturer to be compatible with the service. Some cell phone brands, like the iPhone, are exclusive to one service provider--at least for a period of time. Smaller providers, like MetroPCS and Cricket, offer specialized, low-cost plans for cell phone users.
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Calling Features
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When making a decision about a cell phone, the user must consider the reliability and availability of certain calling features. For instance, many modern cell phones are equipped with speaker phones, voice dialing and one-touch dialing. If the user will be doing a lot of driving with the cell phone, bluetooth capability, which allows him to talk using a wireless earpiece, is important as well. The user should also find out how many contacts can be stored in the phone.
Texting and Data
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Because text messaging has become so popular, the user must examine the texting features on a cell phone before buying. For instance, some phones are only able to process plain text messages, while others can send multimedia messages with video and picture attachments. The keyboard is also important---if the user has to text frequently a full "QWERTY" keyboard, with an individual key for each letter or number, is ideal.
3G phones have faster Internet download speeds and are more conducive to Internet browsing. Many modern PDA-style phones, such as Blackberrys, allow the user to sync an email address to deliver mail directly to the handset. This is a significant feature for business users.
Other Considerations
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Additional features that matter to cell phone consumers include the battery life of the phone (how many hours does it last without a charge), the style (flat or flip), and the presence of special tools like an MP3 and video player, camera, and video and sound recorder. Many consumers are also concerned with call quality and performance of the phone. This is dependent on the reliability and strength of the phone's receiver and antenna and is best gauged by reviews of the cell phone from other users (see Resources).
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