How to Choose a Cell-Phone Carrier
- 1). Determine your calling needs before comparing cell-phone carriers. Once you have determined your needs, use the Internet to thoroughly compare the differences between cell- phone carriers.
- 2). Check and see if the phone carrier provides a prepaid phone plan. Prepaid phone plans allow you to remain free from a long-term service contract, so you can choose another phone carrier any time you want.
- 3). Choose a cell-phone carrier that provides coverage in the areas where you'll need service. If a carrier does not provide adequate coverage for your calling areas, you could end up paying roaming fees. Worse, you won't be able to make or receive calls when you need to. Most cell-phone carriers provide coverage maps on their website.
- 4). Compare international-coverage options between cell phone carriers. If you plan on traveling overseas, your cell-phone carrier must provide international coverage; otherwise you can wind up not being able to use the phone or, at best, paying expensive global roaming fees. Some cell-phone carriers sell special global-roaming phones specifically for use abroad.
- 5). Compare cell-phone carriers' local plans. Local plans usually cost less than regional and national plans. As the name implies, a local plan works best if you plan on only using your cell phone for mostly local use. However, charges for roaming and long-distance calls usually apply.
- 6). Compare prices and differences between regional plans. Most cell-phone carriers offer regional plans for customers who plan on using their phones in a five-state radius from their home state. Regional plans may or may not incur roaming and long-distance fees.
- 7). Find out if the cell-phone carrier provides a national plan, so you can use your phone anywhere in the country. National plans usually do not incur any roaming or long-distance fees. If you're a frequent traveler within the country, choose a national plan with flat rates and without roaming expenses.
- 8). Find out if the cell-phone carrier includes voice mail and text messaging in the plan. Some phone carriers charge extra for these features.
- 9). Determine your intended talk time, and compare minutes and packages suitable for your needs. Most cell-phone carriers charge more per month for plans providing more minutes and less for plans providing less minutes.
Source...