How to Manage Cellular Service Providers
Cell phones are necessities nowadays. Many people have given up their landlines due to lack of use, and even kids in kindergarten sport cells so that working parents can get in touch with them. Some businesses even use cell phones as their main contact numbers. With so many different applications, managing providers is critical. You must make sure you have a mobile device that meets your needs and a plan that gives you the options you need at the lowest cost possible. Fortunately, learning how to manage cell phone providers is not difficult at all with a little research.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy of your current cell phone contract, if you have one
- Copy of your current cell phone bill
- URLs or customer service phone numbers for cell phone providers in your area
- Software to create a spreadsheet
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Determine which cell phone providers have good coverage in your area. Use the interactive map on the Cell Reception website to see the providers that are rated best by locality. Make a list of possible providers.
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2
Decide whether a prepaid phone or a contract is better for you. People with poor credit or limited income may prefer prepaid phones because when you apply for a contract, the provider will run a credit check and may demand a large deposit. However, contracts are usually less expensive over the long run. They also provide benefits like free phones and exclusive availability of new smart phones.
Check the websites for your list of potential providers to see if they have the option you chose, or call their customer service numbers to ask. Most carriers now offer both options, but if they don't, cross them off your list.
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3
Make a list of all the features you need in your plan. Consider whether you want unlimited texting, web surfing, family calling, free nights and weekends, etc. Create a spreadsheet that lists provider names on the left side and options on top. (If you already have a cell contract in place, include your current provider on this spreadsheet.) Put a check mark in the cell that corresponds to whether or not a provider offers that option so that you can choose easily with visuals. Leave a column at the end for cost.
Management
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4
Refer to the websites of the providers on your list if you have decided upon a prepaid phone. Find out what the cost is, what features they offer, and where you can obtain a prepaid phone for each provider. Select a provider based on the criteria of cost, coverage in your area, and having the features you need. Purchase a prepaid phone at a convenience store, drugstore or supermarket if you need it immediately.
If you have chosen a prepaid phone, you can now skip to Section 3. Read Step 2 if you have chosen a contract.
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5
Refer to the spreadsheet you created in Section 1, Step 4. Choose a provider based on which plan suits your needs best at lowest cost.
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Make sure that the provider you chose supports your current phone if you have one. If it does not, decide whether to get a new phone or choose a second or third-place provider that does support your phone. Remember that some contracts provide new phones for free.
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Sign up with your preferred provider if you do not already have a contract. If you do have a contract but have determined a different provider is preferable, check your contract to find out how much time is left on it and what the penalties are for ending it early. Decide whether it is better to ride it out or end the contract early based on the answers to these questions.
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Revisit these instructions periodically. If you move or make a major life change such as getting married or getting divorced, a new plan may suit you better eventually.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with your provider periodically to find out if they have changed any terms of your contract. If they are offering enticements to get people to sign up, you may qualify for them even if you're an existing customer, but they will not tell you about them unless you ask.
Go to a brick-and-mortar store operated by your preferred cell phone provider to get additional benefits. Sometimes the salespeople have quotas they need to make and will throw in free accessories or upgrade your phone in exchange for signing a contract.
References
Resources
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