Wednesday, December 23, 2009
posted by bob

Decoding the Many Different Mobile Phone Plans

Decoding Mobile Phones

There are numerous cell phone providers in the world today, and that is one of the decisions you have to make when you decide you want a cell phone. All providers offer many different plans with many different options. Of course, before you can make a decision on who to use as a provider, you need to make some decisions as to exactly what you want your plan to cover.

Things to consider before buying a cell phone service:

• Voice minutes only
• Text and voice minutes
• Text, data transfer, voice minutes
• Text, data transfer, voice minutes, long distance calling
• Free Mobile to Mobile
• Free Nights and Weekend
• Rollover minutes
• Lap top cards
• Overseas calling
• Push to talk
• Plus many more

When it comes to minutes in your plan, that is also something you have to consider. Is it a single line plan or is it used for your business or family and friends? What is the cost for each additional line? How many free phones come with your plan or do you get any free phones at all? What about detailed billing for your cell phones, can you get detailed billing for each cell phone on the plan?

Who knew how difficult it was to pick out a calling plan and what features you want included? As you use your cell phone, you may find out that the plan you originally chose is not enough or, conversely, that it is too much. A question you will want to ask your provider is if you can change your plan at anytime and not be charged penalties for the changes?

Some providers lock you into a two or three year contract when you sign up and if you cancel the service before the contract is up, you are charged a fee for each phone on the plan. Those fees can range from $100.00 per phone to $200.00 per phone.

When considering a plan for your family, ask each person that is going to have a cell phone what feature is important to them. It could be texting or data transfer or free mobile to mobile minutes. Maybe there are friends that can be added on different provider plans, but be considered as part of your network or circle of friends. Someone in your family may use their cell phone as their primary mode of communication and therefore, you will want to make sure you get enough anytime minutes that you won’t be charged extra if you go over your monthly allotment.

There are many things to consider when deciding on a provider and their plans. Talk to everyone involved with the cell phone plan before you make the final decision. A plan that is too small may costs you many more dollars a month than your budget allows and a plan too large may also costs you more dollars than necessary. Do your homework and research before you make your final choice. You don’t want to be locked into a contract with a provider that is not meeting your needs.



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