| If you live in a rural or mountainous area, often | | | | different people what service provider they use, |
| travel outside of the city limits, or perhaps just | | | | and call the provider who's name is repeated the |
| live where cell phone reception is inadequate, then | | | | most. You may be surprised with the answers |
| there are several things you need to be aware of | | | | that come back to you! |
| before purchasing your new or used cell phone. | | | | Questions are Your Friend |
| Poor cell phone reception is one of the most | | | | Once you have chosen a cell phone service |
| frequent complaints made by those who live in | | | | provider, don't be afraid to ask the representative |
| the country or adjacent to a body of water, as | | | | as many questions as needed to ensure you have |
| the natural terrain or lack of cell towers affect | | | | chosen the right company. For example, if you |
| reception quality. So before you purchase a | | | | purchased a refurbished Blackberry and plan on |
| refurbished cell phone and sign up with a carrier, | | | | subscribing to the optional Blackberry services, |
| here are a few things to keep in mind to make | | | | ask the representative if they have coverage for |
| sure you get the most out of your cell phone | | | | that service. Just because you can use your |
| service. | | | | Blackberry to make phone calls does not mean |
| Avoid PCS Service Providers | | | | that all the services are covered. Ask them if |
| Many are not aware, but most cell phone service | | | | there are any long-term subscribers in your area, |
| providers work on two different frequencies: 800 | | | | or what model of cell phone they would |
| mhz and 1900 mhz. In a nutshell, 800 mhz has | | | | recommend with excellent reception (usually those |
| literally double the range and power of a 1900 | | | | with the largest internal or external antennas). |
| mhz frequency. If you stay within an urban | | | | While the account representative can be very |
| location, then it should not concern you what | | | | helpful, even they are not 100% certain of the |
| frequency your cell phone runs on. The 1900 mhz | | | | reception power your new or used cell phone |
| (more commonly known as “PCS” | | | | may have at your home, as reception can vary |
| service) was introduced as a less expensive | | | | street-to-street, or even house-to-house. |
| service alternative for city-dwellers, so you may | | | | Nowadays, most cell phone service providers |
| actually be saving money with the provider you | | | | have a trial period (30 days usually) , where you |
| now have. Sprint and T-Mobile are examples of | | | | can try their services for a limited time. If you |
| companies that use the less-powerful PCS 1900 | | | | are unsatisfied with the reception or overall |
| frequency, however as a trade-off they also | | | | performance, you can return the phone (if |
| offer more competitive cell phone service plans. | | | | purchased from your service provider) and be |
| Regardless, if you require coverage in rural | | | | released from the contract with no penalty. In |
| locations, you will want a service provider that | | | | most cases, they will even refund you for any |
| runs on the more powerful 800 mhz frequency | | | | service fees paid. Make sure you inquire about |
| instead at the more economical PCS 1900 mhz. | | | | their policy regarding a trial period, and try to find |
| Ask the Locals | | | | a company that has one to ensure you do not |
| There is nothing more reliable than the unbiased | | | | sign your used cell phone into a one year (or |
| opinion of your neighbors to go on. Think about | | | | longer) contract with unsatisfactory service. |
| who you know in a profession that travels to all | | | | With cell phone technology becoming more |
| areas in your community and requires good cell | | | | advanced everyday, there are more options than |
| phone service. You can contact your local sheriff | | | | ever that allow you to have great cell phone |
| or police department (by using the | | | | service even in the most remote locations. Spend |
| non-emergency number only) and ask what cell | | | | a few days to do some basic research and ask |
| phone service their officers use. Alternatively, | | | | many questions to ensure you get the best and |
| perhaps you know of a local real estate agent or | | | | most versatile reception possible. A few questions |
| service man who frequently makes trips to all | | | | now can save you a lot of headaches in the |
| kinds of remote locations. Ask at least five | | | | future! |