| Cell phones have become an integral part of the | | | | networks that are in use in the US today, and |
| daily lives of most consumers, and that means | | | | they are CDMA and GSM. If your cell phone |
| that the choice of which cell phone provider to | | | | usage requires you to make phone calls from |
| use is a very important one. After all, the cell | | | | time to time in rural areas where there is no |
| phone itself can only be as good as the network | | | | digital service, you'll want to select a service |
| it is connected to. So here are a few important | | | | provider that uses the CDMA network, because it |
| tips that you need to know about how to choose | | | | allows for analog roaming in areas where a digital |
| a cell phone service provider. | | | | signal cannot be found. |
| As far as performance and customer service are | | | | On the other hand, if you travel internationally, |
| concerned, most consumer surveys that have | | | | you may want to consider getting a cell phone on |
| been conducted in the last couple of years | | | | a GSM network instead, as this kind of network is |
| indicate that two cell phone companies seem to | | | | in wide usage internationally. What that means for |
| perform best overall, and that is Verizon and | | | | you is that if you travel outside the US, you |
| T-Mobile. Both Sprint and Cingular did not receive | | | | would be able to take your cell phone with you |
| nearly as many positive comments from cell | | | | and use it as you normally would because of its |
| phone users. | | | | compatibility with the overseas networks. Just |
| However, this alone should not be the determining | | | | check to see which kind of network is used by |
| factor in which cell phone network that you | | | | the cell phone providers in your area to decide on |
| choose to use, as both performance and service | | | | which will best fit your needs. |
| can vary dramatically from one location or area | | | | In order to protect yourself when choosing a cell |
| of the country to another. So a better way to | | | | phone service plan, it would be a good idea to |
| get a good idea of the quality of service to you | | | | only sign up for one year of service at a time. |
| can expect from a cell phone provider in your | | | | Although the cell phone companies will want to sell |
| particular area is to simply ask your family, friends | | | | you service plans that cover a longer period of |
| and acquaintances about their experiences with | | | | time and may be less expensive than the long |
| their cell phone provider. No doubt, you will get | | | | run, it still may be best to try a cell phone |
| quite an earful about their opinions, both positive | | | | provider in your area for only a year at a time to |
| and negative. These can be very useful if you | | | | begin with, allowing you to determine the quality |
| include enough people in your informal survey, as | | | | of their service and performance without being |
| usually clear patterns can begin to develop after | | | | tied to a long-term commitment. |
| you have queried enough local cell phone users. | | | | Hopefully, these tips and suggestions will help you |
| Another consideration when selecting a cell phone | | | | find the best cell phone service plan for your |
| provider is how you plan on using the phone on | | | | needs and save you money too. |
| their system. There are two major digital | | | | |