How to Choose a Cellular Phone Service Provider

There are many different cell phone plans, and figuring them out can be confusing. Try to estimate your calling needs before you start investigating plans, and then find one that most closely matches how you think you'll use the phone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cellular Phone Accessories
• Cellular Phones
• Cellular Phone Headsets
• Cellular Phone Handsfree Car Kits
• Cellular Phone Services

1. Estimate how much you're willing to pay (in both up-front fees and monthly fees) for wireless phone service.

2. Decide how much geographic coverage you need. Will you mostly be using your phone locally or will you also use it a lot when you travel?

3. Choose between digital and analog service. Digital service has more features (such as text paging and eavesdropping protection) than analog service, but it also usually costs more up front. However, digital could save you money if you use your phone extensively.

4. Search the yellow pages and Web listings for wireless-service providers. Review various pricing plans, paying particular attention to charges for 'roaming' (use outside the local area) and calling during peak hours.

5. Once you've found a plan that suits your price and needs, contact the company and follow its instructions about activating your service.

Tips & Warnings

• Digital service has more features (such as text paging and eavesdrop protection) than analog service.
• Digital service generally costs more up front than analog service. However, if you use your phone extensively, you could save $10 to $30 per month using digital service.
• It is often helpful to purchase a cell phone and choose a service provider simultaneously. Sometimes services providers offer free phones or great deals on phones when you sign up for a plan.
• Service providers sometimes offer deals including free phones or great discounts when you sign up for their plans. Look around for those.
• Review the terms of the contract to see if there are early-cancellation fees.

[jrnation88]

on 7/30/2009 What I would recommend is sit down at the computer and load up Verizonwireless.com, Sprint.com, Att.com and Tmobile.com. Find a plan that fits your needs, and price it at each company, find all the pro's and con's of each. I suggest making a list of company and pro's and con's. Check if any providers are having promotions at that time maybe for free phones? A Month free Etc?. Also look for early termination fee. The biggest one, reception each website i listed above has reception maps and you can find EXACT reception in your area. If a cell company has limited or no reception in your area chances are you do not want that company. Another thing I no is some have special perks after being a customer for more then a year or 2. Hope this helps!

[fabiosekoff]

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on 11/22/2005 Some wireless providers offer a month to try the service before the cancellation fee applies. If you start with such a deal, you can get out without the cancellation fee if the coverage is poor or you don't like something else. Look for it!

on 11/22/2005 Also, if you switch rate plans, your one year starts over. The $150 cancel fee is not prorated either! Chose a provider that prorates the term fee and charges a reasonable amount for the phone! (ATTWS, Verizon, Sprint)

on 11/22/2005 Be careful of "free phone" deals. Most GSM providers will lock the phone to their system . I have 2 Pac Bell phones that after using the service for the 1 year, are "sim locked". PBW wants to charge me to unlock them. These phone were free.