Cell Phone Plans - Choices Abound!

The Future Is Flexibleis best for you. There are numerous websites
Gone are the days when the only way you couldthat provide ratings and reviews of what is
afford a cell phone was to buy into a lengthy cellcurrently available. Surf the web and research
phone plan. In those early days, a cell phone planVerizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Nextel, Cricket and
included a seemingly ironclad contract that lasted aCingular.
minimum of three years. There simply were noThe most popular plans these days are shared
choices. If you wanted a cell phone you had toplans or family plans. Family plans are useful to the
buy the phone and commit to being tied to asmall business because each employee can have a
contract; like it or lump it.cell phone and the company receives just one
Thankfully those days are over and todayinvoice. This is a good way of keeping track of
because of the number of service providers,communication expenses. This applies to a small
choices abound! Today's cell phone plans arebusiness but one invoice is a good way to monitor
designed with the consumer and their multitude offamily budgets as well.
choices in mind. The wireless customer canPrepaid Cell Phones...Diamonds & Dust
choose an affordable cell phone with manyDiamonds
choices and combinations of cell phone plans.* Prepaid minutes can be less expensive than
That's the good news! There is bad news though,contract minutes.
with the large volume of information available* No Credit checks, no hassles!
today, where does a person start to look and* No monthly bill, you've paid upfront.
how do they decide what to choose?* No service fees.
Choices, Choices, ChoicesDust
That's the reason for this article. My goal is to* Extras costs more, long distance and roaming
help guide you through the myriad of choices thatfees can be very expensive.
are available and to introduce you to the world of* Not all services are included, you may not be
prepaid cell phones, family plans and shared plansable to surf the web.
for multiple cell phones. I'll be giving you some* Your phone only works in analog areas (quite
suggestions on how to match the best cell phonecommon in more remote areas).
plan for you and your lifestyle. I'll also be giving* Prepaid minutes can be more expensive on a
you an idea where to find some ratings andminute by minute basis. Read the fine print.
reviews.Contracts - Bundles Of Bargains
There are a few things to consider when makingThe most attractive feature about cell phone
a decision. Once that's done you can look into thecontracts is the bundle concept. There are
various reviews on what's currently available.numerous cell phone plans to make it easy for
Some internet sites provide ratings for the cellyou to adhere to a contract and get a bundle of
phone plans they advertise and are alwaysgreat deals. You can get special "add ons" like
striving to inform the customer about theirthree way calling and call display. You can
newest offerings and hottest deals.purchase a relatively nice cell phone at a
Decision Helpersreasonable price. As mentioned above contracts
* Hardware & Software.are not the iron clad document they used to be.
* What's Available?If need be you can get released from them and
* The prepaid cell phone - Diamonds & Dust.you do get nicer phones!
* Contracts - Bundles of Bargains.Companies You Can Count On
* Companies you can count on.Tried & True
* What's your style?There are so many cell phone companies and
Hardware And Softwareservice providers these days, who can you, count
The Hardwareon? For the best hardware (the phone) and the
When it all comes down to it, isn't it all about thebest software (airtime and air quality), you could
phone? This is primarily one of the first of thechoose cell phone companies that have been in
decision making factors because it determinesthe communication business for a long time.
what kind of phone you'll get. This is especiallyVerizon is one of these companies. They have a
true when you are looking at what can be a verylong standing tradition of superior customer
expensive purchase.service and product dependability. AT&T is
Almost every cell phone company provides thealso a long established communications company
most simple or the most complex cell phoneswith impeccable standards.
with their prepaid cell phone packages. CompaniesUp & Coming
such as Verizon, Cricket, and Nextel all offer easyThere are also some new cell phone companies
consumer friendly "pay as you go" options.and service providers who are making a good
If you chose a contract, there seems to be aname for themselves because of the attention to
formula but some companies have very enticingquality as well. Check out new companies such as
offers especially if you are changing serviceNextel (a proud sponsor of NASCAR), T-Mobile,
providers. The basic rule of thumb seems to be:Cingular and Cricket.
1. $50.00 price reduction for a one year contract.There are reviews you can read about the latest
2. $100.00 price reduction for a two yearand newest technology about all of the above
contract.companies so go to each company's websites and
3. $150.00 price reduction for a three yearcheck out how their phones rate against each
contract.other.
As mentioned above some service providersWhat's Your Style?
offer up to a 75% discounted price for a top ofTruly today, it is all about you and your unique
the line cell phone in exchange for a three yearlifestyle. This is the most important decision
contract. As a particularly good salesman told memaking factor of all. You know what you need in
"you can always get out of a contract thesea cell phone plan. The key is finding the best one
days, you just have to pay it out". Because thethat will serve your needs best. Don't be
cell phones offered by most service providers areintimidated or overwhelmed by the number of
top of the line items from Motorola and Nokia andchoices out there. Just keep in mind; it's all about
the contract is so consumer friendly it will be easyyour unique communication needs. Read these
for you to stick with a contract for three years.two short scenarios. They will help to show you
The Softwarewhat could be right for you.
The service provider is the most importantYour job takes you all over the world. Your
software factor when choosing between afriends have a hard time keeping track of you
prepaid cell phone and cell phone plan contract.because you are always on the move. You pay
This is an important issue because even the bestyour bills on the internet and phone your family
phone is only as good as its signal.periodically just to let them know you're "OK".
Buyers beware however; some service providers'OR
piggyback on top of more established lines. If it'sYou're still in school and living at home. Your
a case of first come; first serve and your serviceparents want you to keep in touch but you're sick
provider piggybacks, you could be the first oneof pay phones. Borrowing your friend's cell phone
off. This results in dropped calls and unreliable airis getting old but you still need to check in.
space. Not a good outcome to your purchase. SoThe first scenario indicates that a prepaid cell
do your research diligently.phone would suit your lifestyle well. Make sure
What's Available?you prepay your minutes and avoid those pricey
Because it's all about the phone, ask yourself theextra airtime costs. Use an international company
following questions. What kind of phone do yousuch as AT&T so that you receive global
want? Do you want one that is bare bones orcoverage.
one that has it all? Does the cell phone companyThe second scenario indicates that your family
or service provider offer a phone that comesneeds a shared plan like the family plans currently
with family or shared plans? If you chose a familyavailable. Surf the web and research companies
plan, are both phones equally efficient? Do youlike Verizon and AT&T.
want a cell phone that doubles as a palm pilot orThe Bottom Line - Choices Do Abound!
camera?So there you have it, the future is flexible and
All these questions will determine where you wantchoices do abound. I hope you have found this
to look when making your choice between aarticle helpful as you make that choice between a
contract and a prepaid cell phone plan. There mayprepaid cell phone and a cell phone contract. Keep
be some features that you can live without.in touch!
Knowing this upfront will help you determine what