| Like most things in life, cell phone plans come in | | | | Look at special features incorporated into the |
| various shapes and sizes. With the correct | | | | contract as well. Some sellers provide rollover |
| information, you can pick the correct one for you. | | | | minutes, per second billing etc etc. These additional |
| The following criteria will make it easier for you to | | | | features may indeed be of great value to you. |
| choose the best and most efficient plan for your | | | | Prepaid Plans |
| needs. | | | | These are designed for people with special needs |
| Ask yourself some questions before making a | | | | or circumstances. Generally they do not require a |
| commitment. | | | | credit check, or minimum monthly income as is |
| 1. When will you mostly use the phone? During | | | | the case with the monthly contracts. There are |
| the day, after hours, all the time. | | | | plans that do not incorporate a phone, enabling |
| 2. How many minutes a day will you spend talking | | | | you to use a phone that you may already own. |
| on the phone? | | | | The cost per minute is usually higher than with a |
| 3. Will the phone be used as my primary means | | | | monthly cell phone contract as well. This makes |
| of communication, or as a supplement to a fixed | | | | this type of connection really only economically |
| line? | | | | suitable for low usage callers. Prepaid cell phone |
| 4. Will you need to contact overseas numbers on | | | | plans can however save you a lot of money, if |
| a regular basis? | | | | you are a casual user only. The main advantage is |
| 5. How long are you prepared to commit to one | | | | that you are not caught up in minimum monthly |
| service provider? | | | | contract charges. Also, since there is no contract, |
| 6. Where in the country will the phone be used? | | | | you can stop paying whenever you wish, and |
| 7. What features do you need on your phone? | | | | resume when you require a phone again. The only |
| Having a clear understanding of the above, makes | | | | downfall is a probable reconnection and setting up |
| it easier to choose a plan that fits your lifestyle | | | | charge. |
| and budget. | | | | If you have a bad credit history, or a non fixed |
| Monthly Plans | | | | income, this may however be a useful option. For |
| Always verify what the time commitment is, | | | | budgeting purposes, you are also limiting your total |
| when you are comparing cell phone plans. The | | | | expenses, as you cannot go over the amount |
| majority of providers will offer a minimum 12 | | | | you have already paid. You may of course top |
| months contract, basically locking you in for that | | | | this up, and carry on using your phone. This |
| time with their service plan. | | | | feature gives you a lot more control over your |
| The choice of actual provider is best made by | | | | monthly expenditure. |
| weighing up a balance of coverage area, cost per | | | | All in all, different plans have different advantages |
| call or minute and the equipment offered. The | | | | and disadvantages. Your lifestyle, financial |
| higher cost plans are usually cheaper per call if | | | | circumstances and personal desires dictate the |
| you use the phone a lot. They also offer better | | | | precise plan ideally suited to you. |
| equipment, mostly for free to go with your plan. | | | | Take the time to evaluate your needs first. Then |
| So always first check out everything that is on | | | | look at the plans on offer. You will make a wiser |
| offer before deciding, as you will have to live with | | | | and more cost effective choice in your cell phone |
| it for a while. | | | | plan that way. |