| The thing about unlocked cellular phones is that | | | | next step is to figure out what business rate plan |
| the process can get really frustrating. It does not | | | | is the most economical for your needs. |
| have to be complicated, you know. | | | | Most providers offer different plans based around |
| Assuming you are not looking for the latest | | | | buckets of minutes that are allocated between |
| unlocked cellular phone, the following three steps | | | | different time periods in a day or week. |
| are all you need to help you pick the cell phone | | | | If you are going to be using the phone primarily |
| that is right for your business. | | | | during the day, you will need a plan that will give |
| Step One: Figure out the cell phone coverage you | | | | you the maximum number of minutes when the |
| need. | | | | sun is up. |
| Step one involves figuring out where you are | | | | On the other hand, if you are going to be using |
| going to be using your new unlocked cell phone. | | | | your new cell phone primarily on the weekends, |
| Do you work in the city or the country? Also, do | | | | you need a plan that gives you the maximum |
| you often travel aboard and intend to use your | | | | number of minutes on Saturday and Sunday. |
| phone around the world? | | | | Those are the two extremes. Other plans offer |
| If you work primarily in US metropolitan areas, | | | | some combination of weekday daytime, evenings |
| you do not have to worry about whether you | | | | and weekend minutes. |
| need a GSM, CDMA or TDMA phone. They all | | | | If you are unsure of your calling patterns, take |
| work pretty well. | | | | advantage of the free first-month promotions |
| On the other hand, if you work in rural, remote | | | | offered by many providers to figure out when |
| or undeveloped areas, your best bet is a CDMA | | | | you make your calls and then switch your plan |
| or TDMA phone since these providers have the | | | | accordingly if necessary. Many phone companies |
| best coverage in rural or undeveloped areas. | | | | will analyze your cell phone usage if asked to and |
| If you intend to use your cell phone while abroad, | | | | will recommend a plan that minimizes your |
| GSM is the communications standard used outside | | | | monthly cost. |
| of North America. | | | | Step Three: Buy your new cell phone. |
| If you purchase a GSM phone so that you can | | | | If you are going to be buying a GSM phone |
| use it abroad, you need to make sure the phone | | | | because you intend to travel and use the phone |
| is purchase an unlocked cellular phone. | | | | abroad, stick to tri-band/tri-mode phones. These |
| With an unlocked GSM cellular phone, you can | | | | phones can operate on a multitude of frequencies |
| easily swap out the SIM card within the local | | | | that various operators abroad may use. |
| country and buy prepaid SIM cards to avoid | | | | Otherwise, do not worry about whether the |
| expensive roaming charges. These local country | | | | phone is tri-band/tri-mode or dual-mode. |
| SIM cards are often available in corner stores in | | | | Other than that one consideration, choosing an |
| most countries. | | | | unlocked cellular phone is all a matter of taste. |
| Step Two: Figure out the cell phone rate plan you | | | | Be aware about the factors that make up your |
| need. | | | | unlocked cellular phones. They might make a lot |
| Once you have figured out where you are going | | | | of difference. Ones that you did not put much |
| to be primarily using your new cell phone, the | | | | attention on. |