| Buying a cell phone should be easy, right? All you | | | | expiry date. Also, make sure that you are aware |
| need to do is go to a store and buy a handset | | | | of the extra fees that you will be charged for |
| that you like. Well, it is not quite that simple. You | | | | making international calls and for activation. |
| not only have to select a handset, but also have | | | | Selecting The Phone |
| to select a provider or carrier. And with so many | | | | Once you have selected your service provider |
| choices available today, it is not that simple to buy | | | | and plan, you are ready to select your cell phone. |
| a phone. | | | | Depending on your budget and needs, you can |
| CDMA Or GSM | | | | opt for a cheap cell phone or an expensive one. |
| It is often recommended that you should first | | | | Today, most of the mobile handsets are loaded |
| select a provider and then mobile phone. This is | | | | with features. Make sure that you select the |
| important because in the United States, wireless | | | | features you need. Why should you spend extra |
| carriers operate on two different networks. One | | | | on features you are never going to use? |
| is known as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) | | | | In other words, if you need a handset for only |
| and the other is known as Global System for | | | | making calls, then select the one with basic |
| Mobile Communication (GSM). Since both these | | | | features. However, if you require a handset for |
| networks use different technology for the | | | | e-mailing, browsing, and organizing, then you need |
| transmission of voice and data, one cannot buy a | | | | to buy a high-end handset. Obviously, this will cost |
| GSM cell phone and operate it on CDMA network | | | | you more. Handsets with features, such as |
| and vice versa. | | | | camera, music player, streaming live TV, video |
| So the first thing you have to do is choose | | | | streaming, 3G, and Bluetooth, are usually |
| between CDMA and GSM. CDMA phones provide | | | | expensive. |
| good coverage, especially in the rural areas. | | | | Besides the features, you should consider the |
| However, if you are somebody who often | | | | style of the cell phone. Do you prefer a flip phone |
| remains on the move, then you should opt for | | | | or a candy bar phone? Are you more |
| GSM carrier. GSM phones are used in Europe and | | | | comfortable with slider phones? Whichever type |
| other countries. Moreover, if you opt for GSM, | | | | of handset you select, make sure that you are |
| you will have a wider choice of handsets. | | | | comfortable using it. |
| Pay Plan | | | | See how it holds against your ear. Is the text |
| Once you have selected a cell phone provider, | | | | clearly visible? Is it easy to use the keyboard? |
| you have to choose your plan. You can opt for | | | | Basically you need to test the phone before you |
| prepaid phones. This means that you have to pay | | | | buy it. |
| for the service beforehand. Once you have used | | | | Finally, do not forget to judge the performance of |
| up your service, you can recharge the same. | | | | the phone. In other words, the handset that you |
| Whether you buy prepaid or post paid plan, make | | | | select should have a good call quality, battery life, |
| sure that you read the fine prints carefully before | | | | and photo and music quality. A careful |
| you sign on the dotted lines. Make sure that you | | | | consideration of all the aforementioned factors will |
| know the cell phone rates that you will be | | | | help you buy a cell phone that you will be satisfied |
| charged. Also, find out if you have to pay extra in | | | | with in the long run. |
| the event you terminate your contract before its | | | | |