 The Best Cell Phone Plans
and the Best Cell Phone Service
Change Is In the Air
Your Phone Call Travels on a Cell Phone Network
A cell phone is a little portable radio telephone. Radio waves are used to transfer signals to and from the cell phone. The area where you live is divided into cell sites with a transmitting tower in each. Each cell site has a range of 3 to 5 miles and overlaps other cell sites. All of the cell sites are connected to cellular switching exchanges which can detect the strength of the signal received from the telephone. As the telephone user moves from one cell area to another, the exchange automatically hands the call to the cell site with the strongest signal.
Cell phones use radio wavelengths in the band of 1mm to 300mm, which are called microwaves. Microwave ovens use the same frequencies to cook food, but at much higher power. Cell phones have antennas to send electromagnetic microwaves from base station to base station. When you drive down the road you often see the high towers with the satellite dishes. These are microwave towers for wireless cell phone communications.
Features of the Best Cell Phone Plans
Cell phones provide exciting and useful functions. Depending on the cell-phone model, you can:
- Talk to others;
- Send and receive e-mails
- Send and receive text messages
- Send and receive photos
- Send and receive music
- Send and receive videos
- Browse the Internet for information, news, entertainment, or stock quotes
- Take photos and videos
- Store contact information
- Make task or to-do lists
- Keep track of appointments
- Set reminders with the built-in alarm
- Use the calculator for simple math
- Play games
- Watch TV
- Integrate other devices such as PDAs, MP3 players and GPS receivers
Best New Cell Phone Networks
Cell phone networks are classified by their technology and speed. First generation analog networks have been phased out. Digital networks, also known as second generation technologies, are clearer, more secure and can handle more callers in a cell. The most widely used digital network is GSM, Global System for Mobile communication, in use around the world. Other networks are based on CDMA , Code-Division Multiple Access, or on TDMA, Time Division Multiple Access. Each carrier chooses which technology it will offer. All these networks are available in the United States.
The newer digital service is not yet available in some rural areas, which still rely on analog service. If you travel to these rural areas, make sure your phone will handle both analog and digital service.
Third Generation Data Networks
Traditional wireless networks create a physical path between receiving and sending devices, much like traditional telephone networks. But the third generation data networks use packet switching, the same approach used for the Internet. IP, the Internet Protocol, breaks data into small pieces called packets. The best new phones with 3G Third Generation built in are proprietary to the service provider.
Third generation technology is intended for the smart phone, the true multimedia cell phone. The technologies, EVDO, Evolution Data Optimized, and UMTS, Universal Mobile Communication System, offer more bandwidth and faster transfer rates to accommodate Web-based applications and audio and video files.
The data technology is described separately from the voice technology. For example, GSM/GPRS uses General Packet Radio Signal mobile data technology in the GSM phone.
If you need to buy a phone today go for a CDMA/EVDO or GSM/UMTS phone. When the newest standard, HSDPA, High Speed Downlink Packet Access, is available in your area, choose it for the best download rate of all.
Who Are the Major Cell Phone Service Providers?
Major Service Providers with broad areas of coverage are
Alltel Wireless, Verizon, T Mobile, AT&T and Sprint. Where you live ultimately determines which service provider you choose. Cellular phone service offerings vary a lot from region to region. Coverage is the most important criteria when you choose a service provider.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Which Service Plan Is Best?
Most carriers offer plans with local, regional or national calling areas. If a plan offers a large calling area, the rate per minute will be higher. It is up to you to decide which plan will be least expensive, based on how much you travel, and where you call. If you get the local coverage plan and travel to another area of the state, expect to pay expensive roaming and long distance fees every time you use your cell phone.
Service plans that are limited to your home usage area are the least expensive, as long as you stay in that area.
If you make frequent calls, you need a plan with a lot of minutes and flexibility.
If you only make a few personal calls, the basic plan may be right for you.
If you’ll only use your cell phone for emergencies, say 20 minutes or less a month, you can save money with a prepaid wireless service. The rate will be higher, say $.25 per minute, but your total cost will be less. There’s no need to pay for service you’re not going to use.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Is There a Free Trial Period for Cell Phone Service?
Do you have a free trial period so I can evaluate the service provider? Take advantage of the free trial period offered, often two weeks to one month. During this period you can cancel service without a penalty. Check for good audio and voice quality. Check the signal strength out on the street where you’ll be making most calls. Most carriers provide a map of their coverage areas, if you ask for it.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Is There an Early Termination Penalty?
If I cancel before the contract is up, will I have to pay an early termination fee? How much is it? $150 to $200 is typical. Will the company prorate the early termination fee on a month-by-month basis, if I must cancel the contract early? If the fee is prorated, it is reduced for every month you are signed up. Early termination fees, which have no cost basis, discourage customers from changing services. If you want to terminate the service contract early because of poor reception, or because the company has merged, request that the early termination fee be waived for cause.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Automatic Contract Extensions
If I make changes to my service, will the company require that I extend my contract longer? And will the company disclose to me that the contract is being extended? Some carriers will require that you extend your contract when you want to make changes to your service plan. And when you renew your contract, early-termination fees will be included in the contract again. This may happen when you order batteries, or make a small change to your phone plan. That’s how they can offer those free sexy new phones.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Customer Service Problems
Are your friends satisfied with this company? Fewer than half of cell phone owners are very satisfied. Cell service is low rated by users. Verizon and Alltel score better than others on customer surveys. There are customer complaints about early-termination fees, calculation of airtime, the requirement to arbitrate disputes rather than sue, rebates and class-action prohibition. Poor coverage also requires users to switch carriers. Some networks have static and some are famous for circuits-full problems, service failures and dropped calls. Others have a reputation for billing errors, failing to credit rebates to your account and poor customer service. One carrier even terminated 1,000 customers when they complained frequently about the service. Just don’t expect too much.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Special Calling Plans for Faves?
Special calling plans can save you money. For example, Alltel Wireless offers unlimited free calls to 10 designated phone numbers, wireless or landline on any network. T Mobile offers myFaves plans with unlimited free calls to five people on any network.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Does the Plan Rollover Unused Minutes
Does the company rollover your unused minutes from month to month? If so, how long is it before rollover minutes expire? One year is typical.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ What is the Charge for Long-Distance Calls?
Are you calling long distance from your home area? If so, your plan will charge a long-distance rate. If you are calling from outside your home area, your long-distance rates may vary depending on whose cellular system you are on at that moment, what long-distance carrier it uses, and any agreements it may have with your carrier. If this sounds complex, you're right. To save money, request a plan with a fixed long distance rate.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Do I Have to Pay Roaming Charges?
Your rate plan defines an area called your home area, which can be a city, state, region or the whole country. If you use your phone outside this home area, you are said to be roaming. All phones have some visual display to let you know that you're no longer in your home area.
Roaming airtime rates are usually much higher than your plan rate, and you may even be getting your service from a different carrier. In addition to your roaming rate, long-distance charges and other usage fees may apply as well.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Do I Have to Sign a Contract?
Perhaps you want to avoid signing a contract, and thus avoid an early termination fee. If you pay full price for your phone, typically $100-$200, you can get a monthly service plan with the carrier. Some carriers will ask you to prepay for service if you don’t sign a contract.
If you are not a heavy talker, there are prepaid service plans offered by TracFone or Virgin Mobile which do not require a contract. Check out the per minute rate, the per-day fees and whether or not the minutes expire.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ When Does Unlimited Calling Start
Typically, unlimited calling starts at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. The minutes are not charged to your account for calls made during this period.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Will My Phone Be Locked?
Will my phone be locked, so that I can't use it if I switch to a different service provider? Verizon and Sprint, both CDMA carriers, have agreed to provide the software code to unlock cellphones after customers have completed their original contract. Other carriers will not unlock your phone.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Can I Keep My Phone Number?
Yes, it is now possible to switch between U.S. cell phone services and keep your phone number. This process is called Wireless Number Portability. You can initiate a number portability request at any time by filling out an application request with your carrier. You should sign up with your new wireless carrier and complete the number porting process BEFORE canceling your current service. Canceling your current service before the porting process is complete will cause you to lose the ability to keep your current phone number.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Can I Replace My Land Line With a Cell Phone?
With a land line, the 911 emergency service can automatically determine your location and send help. New cell phones are required to have a chip for GPS, Global Positioning System. This allows the 911 operator to locate your phone and dispatch emergency services to you. Older cell phones lack this feature.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Can I Transfer My Home Phone Number to My Cell Phone?
Yes. You can transfer your home or office phone number to your cell phone, as long as the wireless carrier you switch to provides coverage in the location of your land line.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ How Is the Dropped Call Credit Applied?
Is the credit for a dropped call applied to my account automatically? Or must I call the service provider to request the credit. If so, how user friendly is the voice menu?
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ What About a Walkie-Talkie Network?
Do you need a walkie-talkie network? Only Sprint has the push-to-talk network , which is a walkie talkie service using the IDEN technology. It is a half-duplex network, which means that only one person can talk at a time. Workers in many occupations rely on walkie-talkie communication. Over and out, good buddy.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ What Other Fees Will Be Charged?
In your plan, there may be a separate cost for text messages.
Do you want Web access from your phone? There will be an additional monthly fee for Web access.
There may be a separate charge for multimedia messages, like photos, videos and other files.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Is There a High-Speed Wireless Data Network?
Ask if the service offers a high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading. If at all possible, try to choose a phone that has WiFi built in or available as a SD card. This will save on your data charges if your service provider does not offer an unlimited data plan.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Do I Have Service When I Travel Abroad?
Do you travel often to other countries? To work in another country, your phone must use its system. Most other countries use the GSM system. A few countries use the CDMA system. T-Mobile and AT&T networks use GSM and are more likely to provide coverage for you overseas.
Best Cell Phone Plans ~ Do I Need a Phone With Wi-Fi Capability?
Several new phones have Wi-Fi capability. They can switch from the carrier’s cell network to use VOIP, Voice Over Internet Protocol, if wireless Internet access is available. You won’t even notice the phone switching back and forth. However, you probably won’t save any money with this feature, unless you are a very heavy phone user.
If you want Wi-Fi phone access for your laptop computer, in addition to your handset, a separate plan is required.
Would you like to receive live TV on your phone? Verizon offers one with a few cable and broadcast channels.
Do you want to use the new Apple iPhone? You’ll need a contract with AT&T, the exclusive cell carrier for the iPhone.
I hope life brings you much success. I wish you a very happy day.
----- Surfer Sam
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