| How To Choose The Best Plan For You | | | | to use "leftover" minutes from month to month. |
| There are a plethora of cell phone plans in | | | | Not all plans offer this option, so if you think your |
| existence, so how do you pick which plan is best | | | | monthly usage will vary, ask the sales |
| for you and your personal situation? There are | | | | representative if the company offers such a |
| numerous cell phone companies offering numerous | | | | option. |
| cell phone plans. In order to choose the best plan | | | | Long Distance Vs. Roaming: |
| of all of the cell phone plans, you should consider | | | | The cell phone term known as roaming can be |
| some basic things. As you consider your needs, | | | | defined as calling from your cell phone when you |
| think about pre-paid cell phone plans, as well as | | | | are physically outside of your coverage area. The |
| post-paid (billed) plans; how many minutes will you | | | | term long distance means you are calling from |
| need?; when will you be using your phone the | | | | inside your coverage area to a location outside of |
| most (what time of day)?; where will you be | | | | this area. Some plans will charge for these |
| using the phone?; and what extra charges and/or | | | | services, so if you are a traveler or will be using |
| penalties are there that may not be specified with | | | | your phone in remote places, you should ask the |
| the original, advertised sign on rate? | | | | price per minute on various cell phone plans. |
| Pre-Paid Plans Vs. Post-Paid: | | | | Local Coverage Vs. Nationwide: |
| A pre-paid plan for your cell phone is a plan where | | | | Cell phone plans will always have a coverage or |
| you pay in advance for a specific number of | | | | network area. Nationwide coverage allows you to |
| minutes. Once these pre-paid minutes run out, | | | | make a call to anywhere in the United States |
| you have the option to purchase more. This type | | | | where your carrier reaches. Local coverage, on |
| of plan will generally not have a contract for you | | | | the other hand, covers your local area only. |
| to sign. Make sure you look at the details and/or | | | | Different providers offer different coverage |
| ask about how the minutes are calculated, and | | | | areas, so check their maps to see what the |
| how long distance charges are accounted for. | | | | network coverage area is. |
| Sometimes with pre-paid cell phone plans, you will | | | | Contracts |
| have to add a certain amount of money to your | | | | Most likely, if you purchase a post-paid plan for |
| account every month or the months you use the | | | | your cell phone, you will have to sign a contract. |
| plan. | | | | This contract means that you agree to stay with |
| Post-paid cell phone plans are bill-like, where you | | | | that specific provider and phone plan for a |
| pay after you have used the minutes. Many | | | | pre-specified amount of time. Typically contracts |
| post-paid cell phone plans offer the customer | | | | are for one or two years. If for any reason you |
| unlimited minutes, whether all the time or only on | | | | decide to cancel your service, you will have |
| nights and weekends. Many people find post-paid | | | | repercussions, such as a fee to pay per phone |
| cell phone plans appealing, since the individual may | | | | cancelled. This termination fee can be up to $200 |
| use the cell phone at various times of the day, | | | | or more. Make sure you choose a plan you like |
| and have an inconsistent number of minutes | | | | and feel comfortable sticking too. |
| month to month. | | | | If you spend time to shop carefully for the ideal |
| Rollover Cell Phone Plans: | | | | plan and phone, you will find more satisfaction |
| This type of plan allows the cell phone customer | | | | with your purchase. |