How to Decide Who Has the Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plan

Wondering who has the best unlimited cell phone plan? Here's food for thought.

In figuring out who has the best unlimited cell phone plan of all the mobile providers, USA and otherwise, you'll want to take into account service connectivity, the quality of the connection, customer service, and of course the biggie, price. Read on to see tips on comparing Verizon Wireless, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and more.

Things You'll Need

• Side-by-side unlimited minutes offers from cell phone providers in your area, to compare:
• Sprint
• AT & T Wireless
• Verizon Wireless
• T-Mobile
• Alltel
• US Cellular

Instructions

1. Compare special offers and plans of the key players of cellphone providers: Verizon Wireless, AT & T Wireless, US Cellular, T-Mobile, Sprint-Nextel, and Alltel. Check back at different times of the year when the features and incentives abound.

2. Choose a plan that requires the least commitment, especially if you're prone to changing cell phone providers, to avoid a cancellation fee that can really hurt your pocketbook.

3. Decide how important "unlimited" is--especially when you consider the best price on a cell phone plan. Do you actually need true unlimited minutes, or just on weekends or to your most frequently called and received numbers?

   Read the fine print. Determine if the unlimited plan includes two-way unlimited minutes, unlimited incoming minutes only, unlimited text messaging, unlimited Web access, a combo, or more.

   Be realistic about your usage. Truly unlimited everything may mean double the cost.

4. Determine which cell phone company excels in cell phone call quality and clarity. A bad connection just once a week may seriously affect your satisfaction with the service. Sprint may offer the best unlimited minutes (at one particular time--these things change) but do they have the best call quality and coverage? Some would say no.

5. Decide who has the best unlimited cell phone plan not just based on minutes but also on features. Networking perks such as Web access, streaming TV, and GPS service add real value to the package if--and only if--you use them. See Tips for more information.

6. Take into account your location. As of this writing, US Cellular serves mostly the midwest USA and, though renown for its customer service and is considered a top choice, may not be available in your area, and may not be the best choice for travelers.

   Quality matters, too. Verizon Wireless may have better connectivity where you are than T-Mobile, or it may be the other way around. During the trial period, if there is one, go everywhere you're likely to call from and see how the call quality compares.

7. Don't expect to get something for nothing. Expect to pay more for better quality service, more features, roaming and dependable connectivity in true unlimited plans.

Tips & Warnings

• The addition of perks like streaming television, Web use and global positioning system accuracy to cell phone technology suggests that we're moving toward a one-unit system where Internet-broadband, TV, PDA, media player, cellphone, and any mobile device are an all-in-one deal. Until then, we're at the mercy of the core technology of each cell phone provider. Some providers better accommodate the special features' technology than others.

• PC World, J.P Morgan & Associates, and Consumer reports have surveyed thousands of cellphone users and the customers have reported their reviews on Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and more. See the link to ConsumerSearch in the Resources if you would like to read detailed information on comparing cell phone plans (though not necessarily who has the best unlimited cell phone plan).

Resources

• ConsumerSearch