| Years ago, cell phone plan rates were simple to compare. A customer comparing wireless plans simply looked at the cell phone rates for per minute calls, roaming charges, and long distance calls. Phones were all the same; they were used to make phone calls only. The only thing that came with the phone was a car charger and a manual.
As technology driving cellular phones has become more complicated, so has the customer’s ability to compare cell phone plans. Cellular rate plans are no longer based on three simple things. Now, to accurately compare cellular rate plans, a customer needs to look at the amount of minutes they plan on using, the type of phone, and the type of features they wish to add. Three areas to look at, but within each area are a host of other choices.
The first step to compare wireless plans should begin with the customer knowing how plans are broken up. If the customer is the only one who will be on the plan, then an individual cell phone plan will be the choice. If there are others who will be having cell phones, then a family plan is a better choice. Family plans allow for the addition of up to five lines and the minutes purchased are shared among those who are on that plan.
Having decided the type of plan, the customer needs to know how many minutes a month they will be using. Cell phone plans all have a base monthly charge based on the number of minutes purchased. Any calls made during peak hours are then deducted from the monthly minute allotment. Minutes that are not used are often lost to the customer that is unless their plan offers a carry over feature that allows them to store up unused minutes for later use. Plans also can offer free nights and weekends, unlimited in network calls, and free long distance. Again, all points to take into consideration when looking to compare wireless plans.
The type of phone is another aspect of comparing cell phone plans. Different service providers work with different phone manufacturers. Phones are also capable of much more nowadays. Phones can take pictures, record video, and can access the Internet. Phones can be used to send text messages and users can download custom graphics for the phone’s wallpaper and custom ringtones. The technology in the cell phone can allow for a Bluetooth wireless headset or for voice activated dialing to comply with laws banning cell phone use in the car. Of course, if the only thing your phone will be used for is making calls some of these features won’t matter. In any event, weeding out features you will not use, and highlighting features you find important will help make your wireless phone comparison much more effective.
Features that are offered by the wireless provider differ from features offered by the phone. The features different providers offer to their customers can be; free roaming, free long distance, unlimited text messaging, unlimited Internet, the ability to carry over unused minutes, voice mail, call waiting, three-way calling, and others. These features reflect things that most cell phone users have become accustomed to so the lack of them should be reason to look towards another provider.
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