| nd! | | | | and a prepaid cell phone plan. There may be some |
| The Future Is Flexible | | | | features that you can live without. Knowing this |
| Gone are the days when the only way you could | | | | upfront will help you determine what is best for you. |
| afford a cell phone was to buy into a lengthy cell | | | | There are numerous websites that provide ratings |
| phone plan. In those early days, a cell phone plan | | | | and reviews of what is currently available. Surf the |
| included a seemingly ironclad contract that lasted a | | | | web and research Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Nextel, |
| minimum of three years. There simply were no | | | | Cricket and Cingular. |
| choices. If you wanted a cell phone you had to buy | | | | The most popular plans these days are shared plans |
| the phone and commit to being tied to a contract; | | | | or family plans. Family plans are useful to the small |
| like it or lump it. | | | | business because each employee can have a cell |
| Thankfully those days are over and today because | | | | phone and the company receives just one invoice. |
| of the number of service providers, choices abound! | | | | This is a good way of keeping track of |
| Today’s cell phone plans are designed with | | | | communication expenses. This applies to a small |
| the consumer and their multitude of choices in mind. | | | | business but one invoice is a good way to monitor |
| The wireless customer can choose an affordable cell | | | | family budgets as well. |
| phone with many choices and combinations of cell | | | | Prepaid Cell Phones
Diamonds & Dust |
| phone plans. That’s the good news! There is | | | | Diamonds |
| bad news though, with the large volume of | | | | - Prepaid minutes can be less expensive than |
| information available today, where does a person | | | | contract minutes. |
| start to look and how do they decide what to | | | | - No Credit checks, no hassles! |
| choose? | | | | - No monthly bill, you’ve paid upfront. |
| Choices, Choices, Choices | | | | - No service fees. |
| That’s the reason for this article. My goal is to | | | | Dust |
| help guide you through the myriad of choices that | | | | - Extras costs more, long distance and roaming fees |
| are available and to introduce you to the world of | | | | can be very expensive. |
| prepaid cell phones, family plans and shared plans for | | | | - Not all services are included, you may not be able |
| multiple cell phones. I’ll be giving you some | | | | to surf the web. |
| suggestions on how to match the best cell phone | | | | - Your phone only works in analog areas (quite |
| plan for you and your lifestyle. I’ll also be | | | | common in more remote areas). |
| giving you an idea where to find some ratings and | | | | - Prepaid minutes can be more expensive on a |
| reviews. | | | | minute by minute basis. Read the fine print. |
| There are a few things to consider when making a | | | | Contracts — Bundles Of Bargains |
| decision. Once that’s done you can look into | | | | The most attractive feature about cell phone |
| the various reviews on what’s currently | | | | contracts is the bundle concept. There are numerous |
| available. Some internet sites provide ratings for the | | | | cell phone plans to make it easy for you to adhere |
| cell phone plans they advertise and are always | | | | to a contract and get a bundle of great deals. You |
| striving to inform the customer about their newest | | | | can get special add ons like three way calling |
| offerings and hottest deals. | | | | and call display. You can purchase a relatively nice cell |
| Decision Helpers | | | | phone at a reasonable price. As mentioned above |
| - Hardware & Software. | | | | contracts are not the iron clad document they used |
| - What’s Available? | | | | to be. If need be you can get released from them |
| - The prepaid cell phone — Diamonds & Dust. | | | | and you do get nicer phones! |
| - Contracts — Bundles of Bargains. | | | | Companies You Can Count On |
| - Companies you can count on. | | | | Tried & True |
| - What’s your style? | | | | There are so many cell phone companies and service |
| Hardware And Software | | | | providers these days, who can you, count on? For |
| The Hardware | | | | the best hardware (the phone) and the best |
| When it all comes down to it, isn’t it all about | | | | software (airtime and air quality), you could choose |
| the phone? This is primarily one of the first of the | | | | cell phone companies that have been in the |
| decision making factors because it determines what | | | | communication business for a long time. Verizon is |
| kind of phone you’ll get. This is especially true | | | | one of these companies. They have a long standing |
| when you are looking at what can be a very | | | | tradition of superior customer service and product |
| expensive purchase. | | | | dependability. AT&T is also a long established |
| Almost every cell phone company provides the most | | | | communications company with impeccable standards. |
| simple or the most complex cell phones with their | | | | Up & Coming |
| prepaid cell phone packages. Companies such as | | | | There are also some new cell phone companies and |
| Verizon, Cricket, and Nextel all offer easy consumer | | | | service providers who are making a good name for |
| friendly pay as you go options. | | | | themselves because of the attention to quality as |
| If you chose a contract, there seems to be a | | | | well. Check out new companies such as Nextel (a |
| formula but some companies have very enticing | | | | proud sponsor of NASCAR), T-Mobile, Cingular and |
| offers especially if you are changing service providers. | | | | Cricket. |
| The basic rule of thumb seems to be: | | | | There are reviews you can read about the latest and |
| - $50.00 price reduction for a one year contract. | | | | newest technology about all of the above companies |
| - $100.00 price reduction for a two year contract. | | | | so go to each company’s websites and check |
| - $150.00 price reduction for a three year contract. | | | | out how their phones rate against each other. |
| As mentioned above some service providers offer | | | | What’s Your Style? |
| up to a 75% discounted price for a top of the line | | | | Truly today, it is all about you and your unique |
| cell phone in exchange for a three year contract. As | | | | lifestyle. This is the most important decision making |
| a particularly good salesman told me you can | | | | factor of all. You know what you need in a cell phone |
| always get out of a contract these days, you just | | | | plan. The key is finding the best one that will serve |
| have to pay it out. Because the cell phones | | | | your needs best. Don’t be intimidated or |
| offered by most service providers are top of the line | | | | overwhelmed by the number of choices out there. |
| items from Motorola and Nokia and the contract is so | | | | Just keep in mind; it’s all about your unique |
| consumer friendly it will be easy for you to stick with | | | | communication needs. Read these two short |
| a contract for three years. | | | | scenarios. They will help to show you what could be |
| The Software | | | | right for you. |
| The service provider is the most important software | | | | Your job takes you all over the world. Your friends |
| factor when choosing between a prepaid cell phone | | | | have a hard time keeping track of you because you |
| and cell phone plan contract. This is an important | | | | are always on the move. You pay your bills on the |
| issue because even the best phone is only as good | | | | internet and phone your family periodically just to let |
| as its signal. | | | | them know you’re OK. |
| Buyers beware however; some service | | | | OR |
| providers’ piggyback on top of more | | | | You’re still in school and living at home. Your |
| established lines. If it’s a case of first come; | | | | parents want you to keep in touch but you’re |
| first serve and your service provider piggybacks, you | | | | sick of pay phones. Borrowing your friend’s |
| could be the first one off. This results in dropped calls | | | | cell phone is getting old but you still need to check in. |
| and unreliable air space. Not a good outcome to your | | | | The first scenario indicates that a prepaid cell phone |
| purchase. So do your research diligently. | | | | would suit your lifestyle well. Make sure you prepay |
| What’s Available? | | | | your minutes and avoid those pricey extra airtime |
| Because it’s all about the phone, ask yourself | | | | costs. Use an international company such as AT&T |
| the following questions. What kind of phone do you | | | | so that you receive global coverage. |
| want? Do you want one that is bare bones or one | | | | The second scenario indicates that your family needs |
| that has it all? Does the cell phone company or | | | | a shared plan like the family plans currently available. |
| service provider offer a phone that comes with | | | | Surf the web and research companies like Verizon |
| family or shared plans? If you chose a family plan, | | | | and AT&T. |
| are both phones equally efficient? Do you want a cell | | | | The Bottom Line — Choices Do Abound! |
| phone that doubles as a palm pilot or perhaps you | | | | So there you have it, the future is flexible and |
| want a cell phone camera? | | | | choices do abound. I hope you have found this article |
| All these questions will determine where you want to | | | | helpful as you make that choice between a prepaid |
| look when making your choice between a contract | | | | cell phone and a cell phone contract. Keep in touch! |