Cell Phone Plans and Coverage

With so many calling plans and options to choose from, deciding which one is best for you can be a bit overwhelming. To help you make the best choice, first answer the following questions:

1) What time of day do you plan on making most of your calls?

2) Who will you be calling the most?

3) What service features do you really plan to use?

4) What coverage is available in the area you'll be using the phone the most?

Nationwide Plans

How they work: These plans may be offered as both individual or business/corporate plans. Most carriers today do not charge extra for "long distance" and "roaming" within the U.S., and some may even include Canada and Puerto Rico.

Good option for: People who travel domestically and want the freedom to call anywhere in the U.S.

Tip: If you travel internationally, be sure to check out those offerings separately.

Family Plans

How they work: With this plan, each family member gets their own phone and phone number for a charge, but share their monthly minutes on one phone bill.

Good option for: Families. Family plans are more cost-effective than purchasing individual plans for each member of a household.

Pay-as-you-go Phones (Prepaid Phones)

How they work: Although these plans cost more per minute, you can purchase minutes as you need them instead of having a monthly bill or yearly contract.

Good option for: People who don't use their phone very often (less than 30 minutes/month) or don't want to be surprised when the bill comes.

SERVICE ADDITIONS/OPTIONS

Data Plans

How they work: Data plans provide Internet access. Although you may be able to gain access the Internet on your phone without a plan, you'll likely be charged per kilobyte of usage.

Good option for: People who check their e-mail frequently, use specific client applications and use the Internet on their cell phone. Most heavy Blackberry users generally buy unlimited data plans.

Tip: Data plans are generally for domestic use only. If you travel internationally, you'll want to look into the international data plan offerings separately. If you don't have a data plan and use the Internet on your phone internationally, the charges are likely to be much higher per kilobyte of usage.

Text Messaging (SMS or 2-Way):

How it works: Some text message plans include a certain number of messages per month, others charge per text message used.

Good option for: Heavy text message user should consider buying a monthly plan.

Tip: Some individual plans may even come with some bundled with these offerings, so be sure to check.

Multimedia Messaging (MMS, Picture Mail, Video Mail) Plans:

How it works: Some multi-media message plans include a certain number of messages per month, others charge per text message used.

Good option for: People who take like to take and share pictures or videos may want to consider buying a multimedia messaging plan.

Tip: Some individual plans may even come with some bundled with these offerings, so be sure to check.

Mobile-to-Mobile Minutes:

How it works: These minutes are used when making calls to people who use the same carrier as you. Many plans come with free mobile-to-mobile minutes.

Good option for: People who have a lot family or friends who use the same carrier may want to consider also using that carrier along with a plan that offers mobile-to-mobile minutes.

Tip: Some individual plans may even come with some bundled with these offerings, so be sure to check.

Free Incoming and Anytime Minutes:

How it works: Both of these features include a certain amount of minutes per month and are generally bound by time constraints.

Tip: Although this is typically a basic calling plan, you may be able to buy additional buckets of anytime minutes.

International Calling:

How it works: Most carriers allow calls from the U.S. to another country or offer discounts on calls to certain countries for a monthly fee.

Good option for: Frequent international callers

Tip: Check with your carrier to discuss these options.

International Roaming:

How it works: International roaming calls are calls made to the U.S. or another country while outside the U.S.. If you want to use your phone in foreign countries, you must check to make sure that your phone will work in the country that you are traveling to, and that your carrier provides service to that country.

Options: If your phone or service doesn't work in the country you're traveling to you can look for cell phone rentals at the airport or pre-paid SIM chips domestic to the your international destination and compatible with your phone (this can be done before traveling or once you're in the country). The SIM chips provide local service while in that country and make the phone calls cheaper. The downside -- your friends will not be able to contact you on your regular number.

Coverage:

How it works: Most carriers can provide their network coverage information down to a street address level, which shows if their signal in that area is poor, average, good, or great.

Tip: Call the carrier customer service number or check their Web site to find out more about coverage information in your area. If you're concerned about their international coverage area for particular countries you travel to often, you may want to ask about that separately.