| Cell phones can be very convenient, but before | | | | want digital service, make sure your cellular |
| you sign a contract for wireless phone service, be | | | | company has a "roaming" agreement that lets |
| sure to ask a number of questions: | | | | your phone work on an analog system when you |
| Where can you make and receive calls? Most | | | | are outside digital range. But beware: roaming can |
| providers now promote their plans as local, | | | | be expensive, and it requires a "dual mode" phone. |
| regional or national. A local plan offers a low-cost | | | | Is there a trial period during which you can test |
| option if most of your calls are near home. | | | | the service? Everyone has experienced dead |
| Regional plans generally offer a much larger | | | | spots where their cell phone doesn't work. A trial |
| geographic area, sometimes several states. If you | | | | period lets you test your service in places where |
| call outside the area covered by these plans, you | | | | you will be using it--the office, your house, your |
| will pay long distance and roaming charges in | | | | car, and the roads you travel-so you don't get |
| addition to the airtime used. National plans are the | | | | surprised by these dead spots. |
| most expensive, but they let you use your phone | | | | Are there any fees or limits on changing your |
| anywhere in the country for a single per-minute | | | | plan? Some providers charge a fee if you want to |
| price. Roaming and long distance charges are | | | | downsize or upgrade your plan. Others limit how |
| replaced by a single, predictable flat rate. | | | | often you can make changes. Moreover, what |
| How frequently will you use the phone? If you | | | | happens if you want to cancel your service? Most |
| just want a phone for emergencies, an economy | | | | providers have a penalty, which can be a concern |
| plan with a few minutes a month might be all that | | | | if you have to move out of the area covered by |
| you need. On the other hand, if you are going to | | | | your plan. |
| be a heavy user, a plan with several free hours | | | | Finally, there are 'Pay-As-You-Go Plans.' If you |
| and the lowest airtime charge is a wiser choice. | | | | want cell phone service only for emergencies or |
| Is a family plan option available? Instead of | | | | aren't sure how much you will actually use a cell |
| individual cell phone plans for each member of the | | | | phone once you get it, you may want to consider |
| family, you can share one cellular service plan | | | | a prepaid cell phone before you commit to a |
| among several phones. Everyone shares the | | | | long-term wireless contract. With a prepaid cell |
| same pool of monthly minutes, and the monthly | | | | phone, there is no contract to sign and no |
| cost of additional minutes is usually less than if | | | | monthly bill to worry about. You will know exactly |
| you purchased individual accounts. | | | | how much you spend. The down side of prepaid |
| Is the technology digital or analog? Digital service | | | | plans is that you pay more per minute, and if you |
| is clearer and more secure than analog, but | | | | don't use the phone for an extended period of |
| coverage can be spotty. Analog networks have | | | | time, you could lose the money in your account. |
| greater coverage, especially in rural areas. If you | | | | |