| The answer to the question asked in the title is, | | | | of minutes you don't use at the end of the |
| yes. But only if it makes sense. It will make sense | | | | month. |
| for some people to use prepaid cell phones. For | | | | As you can see, there are many well known |
| others it will make sense to stay on the contract | | | | companies that you can find prepaid cell phone |
| model, especially if there are several people on | | | | plans with. The company you choose completely |
| one plan. | | | | depends on what you want out of your mobile |
| Many of the large cell phone service companies | | | | phone. |
| now offer prepaid cell phone plans--when | | | | The beauty of the prepaid model as opposed to |
| formerly, all they offered were the standard | | | | the contract model is that there is no |
| contract model, for which you sign up for two | | | | commitment (other than what you spend on the |
| years and get stuck in the cycle of upgrading to a | | | | actual phone) so it is fairly painless to move from |
| new phone and of course signing another | | | | one service to another if you are dissatisfied with |
| contract. | | | | the service. |
| There are a lot of different routes to take when | | | | All companies that offer prepaid cell phone plans |
| you are looking for alternatives to the traditional | | | | require you to use a phone that works with their |
| contract model. Prepaid cell phones or | | | | service. The cell phone itself may be pricey, but |
| pay-as-you-go options may just be the way for | | | | generally there are many different models to |
| you to go in terms of your mobile | | | | choose from. |
| communications. | | | | Using a prepaid cell phone means that you do not |
| AT&T merged with Cingular and they now bill | | | | have to undergo a credit check from the |
| themselves as having the largest network in the | | | | company or sign a long term contract--but this |
| United States. This may be true. Whatever the | | | | doesn't mean it's the right option for you. |
| case may be, there are also several other | | | | People who are on a shared plan and have a lot |
| competitors that you can look at to try to find | | | | of minutes each month or carryover minutes |
| the best deal for you and your family. | | | | often find the best deal by signing a contract and |
| Boost mobile is definitely a contender for your | | | | using that model of service. Another perk to this |
| business as is the Alltel network. Virgin Mobile also | | | | type of service is you are often offered a free |
| operates on a pay-as-you-go cell phone model, so | | | | cell phone or a discounted newer model when you |
| this may be a viable option for you as well. | | | | sign up for a new contract. |
| Boost Mobile offers one great feature, which is | | | | You want to take out your cell phone bills over |
| the free walkie-talkie service from one user to | | | | the past several months and see how many |
| another. This is included in all plans. Virgin Mobile is | | | | minutes you use consistently, and take into |
| the British company owned by Richard Branson. It | | | | account things like mobile to mobile free usage, |
| is a very youth oriented company, as is Boost | | | | how many carryover minutes you get, the cost |
| Mobile, and has some good options for younger | | | | of a new phone, and the other costs and fees |
| cell phone users. | | | | involved. |
| The truth is you can sort of customize your cell | | | | If it makes sense, make the switch to prepaid. |
| phone plan to be close to how you actually use it. | | | | You can always sign another contract later! |
| You don't have to get stuck with a whole bunch | | | | |