| Cell phones have become such an integral part of | | | | years. |
| our lives that it's hard to believe that we ever | | | | Another thing that is rapidly undergoing change is |
| lived without them. As this new industry rapidly | | | | the use of smart phones such as BlackBerrys, |
| matures, the mad scramble is on for dominance in | | | | iPhones, etc. These phones are rapidly gaining |
| the field. | | | | market share and with it comes a need for |
| Well, it looks like the dust has more-or-less | | | | mobile Internet. Therefore, mobile Internet, or |
| settled, at least for now, and we have ourselves | | | | data, is becoming more and more of a needed |
| a big four, and they are Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, | | | | item in a cell phone plan. Pricing and bundling of |
| and T-Mobile. There are other players obviously, | | | | voice, text and data is the new battlefield. |
| but these four are well ahead of the rest of the | | | | So by all means take all of this into account |
| pack. | | | | before deciding what your next cell phone plan will |
| Actually, the dust has settled as far as who the | | | | be. If you are the type of person who does very |
| leaders are, but there is still a lot of change | | | | little traveling if any, then you will be able to save |
| underway regarding service plans. While the big | | | | a lot of money by going with one of the prepaid |
| four offer mostly postpaid plans with two-year | | | | cell phone providers. This also will allow you the |
| contracts, there are other companies competing | | | | flexibility to change companies at any time you |
| in the prepaid arena. There are quite a few of | | | | wish. |
| these such as TracFone, Virgin, Metro PCS, and | | | | In this modern world where people are more |
| others. Many of these prepaid plans involve no | | | | likely to relocate than ever before, the lack of |
| contracts or credit checks, and that can be a | | | | contract could be a major consideration. Two |
| life-saver for many. However, most of these | | | | years is a long time and the penalties for breaking |
| companies are not nationwide, so be wary before | | | | contracts can be stiff. |
| signing up. | | | | With all of the above having been said, probably |
| This factor of prepaid versus | | | | the most important aspect of a cell phone service |
| postpaid-with-contract is in a period of change. | | | | is how good of a signal you get where you live |
| Whereas through the first quarter of 2010, 80% | | | | and work and play. You want to find out before |
| of Americans with cell phones were on a postpaid | | | | entering into a new cell phone deal. You can find |
| plan with a contract, the exact opposite is true in | | | | out to a degree by asking people you know, but |
| Europe, and all signs say that America is going to | | | | there are also forums online where people |
| be following Europe's lead in the next 3 to 5 | | | | exchange information about things like that. |