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denim · 06-09-2003, 11:52 AM

Okay, you've decided you need a cell phone.

Step one: determine your requirements.

For what do you need this phone? (determines minutes/month to buy)
What sort of coverage do you need?
What kind of money can you afford to pay?

If you just need a phone for emergencies, you can get by with a minimal service, from whichever company you decide to go with. Don't, in this case, let them sell you more than you need! They tend to want to get you for around $50/month.

Coverage and price plans are highly volatile. What was true last month may no longer be.

Whatever you do, try to get the shortest contract you can, if you have to have a contract. I got my phone a year ago last April, and avoided a 2-year contract in favor of a 1-year contract by paying for more of the phone out-of-pocket. The difference for me was that I comitted to pay them $600 ($50/month for one year), plus around $100 for the phone. This was better than $1200 ($50/month for two years), plus something like $60 for the phone.

My contract requires them to give me free roaming and long distance. They don't offer that any more. But you may not need it if you don't tend to travel off-network. If you're always in your carrier's coverage, you'll not pay "roaming", so coverage is important.

Ask about where they're going with their network. What standards are they planning on adding/removing over the duration of whatever contract you consider. Will you need to replace your phone soon to keep up with the network changes which are coming? If so, that adds to your cost.

Also, do the phones they offer have features you require? Different carriers offer different phones, due to the phones' capabilities and the carrier's own networks abilities.

Confused yet? Ask questions. Not just here, but of a number of carriers. Sprint, AT&T, Cingular (my carrier), others. Ask 'em all. It's just time on the web and the phone.

Also, note that, as I understand it, an outgoing call to 911 has to be honored even if you don't have an active account. I don't know that I'd rely on that, though. Usually, it's important to be able to receive calls in case your rescuer needs to return your call "WHERE did you say you were??" and such.

06-09-2003, 11:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
denim Banned Location: Massachusetts, USA	Okay, you've decided you need a cell phone. Step one: determine your requirements. For what do you need this phone? (determines minutes/month to buy) What sort of coverage do you need? What kind of money can you afford to pay? If you just need a phone for emergencies, you can get by with a minimal service, from whichever company you decide to go with. Don't, in this case, let them sell you more than you need! They tend to want to get you for around $50/month. Coverage and price plans are highly volatile. What was true last month may no longer be. Whatever you do, try to get the shortest contract you can, if you have to have a contract. I got my phone a year ago last April, and avoided a 2-year contract in favor of a 1-year contract by paying for more of the phone out-of-pocket. The difference for me was that I comitted to pay them $600 ($50/month for one year), plus around $100 for the phone. This was better than $1200 ($50/month for two years), plus something like $60 for the phone. My contract requires them to give me free roaming and long distance. They don't offer that any more. But you may not need it if you don't tend to travel off-network. If you're always in your carrier's coverage, you'll not pay "roaming", so coverage is important. Ask about where they're going with their network. What standards are they planning on adding/removing over the duration of whatever contract you consider. Will you need to replace your phone soon to keep up with the network changes which are coming? If so, that adds to your cost. Also, do the phones they offer have features you require? Different carriers offer different phones, due to the phones' capabilities and the carrier's own networks abilities. Confused yet? Ask questions. Not just here, but of a number of carriers. Sprint, AT&T, Cingular (my carrier), others. Ask 'em all. It's just time on the web and the phone. Also, note that, as I understand it, an outgoing call to 911 has to be honored even if you don't have an active account. I don't know that I'd rely on that, though. Usually, it's important to be able to receive calls in case your rescuer needs to return your call "WHERE did you say you were??" and such.