Best Cell Phone Service Plans - Choosing The Best Wireless Service Plans

Once upon a time, decisions about telephone service were easy - you either wanted it or you didn't. Those fairy-tale days are gone for good since the advent of the cell phone. Now, we not only have to figure out what type of mobile phone we'd like to have, but also what features we need, whether or not we want a contract or simply prefer to purchase pre-paid minutes without such a commitment, what accessories we think we might like and what type of plan will best meet our individual or family needs.

By the time we've cut through the red tape and have gotten down to the business of choosing a specific cell phone service plan, we're often either too overwhelmed by the lengthy decision-making process, or we're just looking to get the whole thing over and done with, so that we can finally start using the not-always-so-convenient little device. As a result, many people overlook some of the finer points of selecting the best plan for their money. The best thing to do, then, is to take a deep breath and give yourself a bit of time to clear your head before jumping into such a major undertaking. Once ready, it's a matter of doing a good deal of research and narrowing down your options, until the right one presents itself.

Defining Your Needs Profile

In order to ensure that you'll be opting for the best plan that matches your needs, it's important to define what those needs are, point by point. Without the creation of such a profile, you're far more likely to overlook some critical considerations when it comes time to choose a specific cell phone service plan.

• Track Your Time - Accurately determining the number of minutes that you'll need to comfortably use your cellular phone service without disruption is the most significant piece of the puzzle. A miscalculation could mean the difference between the ability to use your cell phone freely and losing service altogether. Before you go shopping for mobile phone service, then, keep track of the number of minutes that you use the phone each day - and be realistic, or you'll end up cutting yourself short in the end. Once that's been determined over the span of at least a week, you should then be able to forecast your monthly usage. That, however, won't be your target number; you'll need to add about 20% extra time onto your figure in order to have a comfortable safety net so that you won't eat up your minutes too quickly and possibly lose service.
• Consider Long Distance Needs - A good plan for long distance phone service is essential if you find that you're using a significant number of minutes outside of your calling area. Geographical distance isn't always the determining factor when pricing comes into play, so don't assume that you'll need less just because the calls that you make are within ten miles of home - even though they're out of your calling range. With many plans, the charge will be the same whether you're calling someone ten miles away or 1,000 miles away. In addition, many cell phone companies levy fees against you for roaming, which completely destroys the goal of cheap long distance calls.
• Choose Your Service Type - Although it seems realistic to expect that all wireless phone service will - one day - be digital, that isn't yet the case. When you factor that into the equation, you'll understand that it's important to make sure that your cell phone service plan includes both analog and digital service. If not, you're going to find that you'll be missing out on a fairly large cell phone coverage area.
• Be Careful About Rounding - Some cell phone providers try to gouge the pricing of your phone service by rounding out the amount of time that you talk to the next minute. That means that, if you talk for 5 minutes and 4 seconds, you'll end up being charged for a 6 minute conversation. The better choice is to find a company that rounds to the nearest second so that - when making the same 5 minute and 4 second call, you'll only pay for 5 minutes and 5 seconds. While these increments may not seem like much on an individual basis, they can eat up your time allotment very quickly.
• Analyze the Rate Schedule - Many carriers offer a special rate for nights and weekends, which seems great if you look at it on the surface. If, however, you don't know exactly which hours these rates encompass, then you might think that you're making a free call when, in fact, you're chewing up your minutes at a high rate.
• Look for Discounted Plans - If you're planning to provide phone service for several members of your family, be sure to find a provider that gives the best cell phone coverage options. For instance, many of them will have a discounted family plan and - in some cases - will even provide free phones to a limited number of family members. Don't automatically assume that you'll be placed under the family plan umbrella, though - take the time to ask about such a plan and, if it matches your needs, make arrangements to have it put into place.
• Assess Your Internet Needs - Since some companies also provide internet phone service, make a realistic assessment of your online usage to see if it's worth paying the extra amount that will be required for that feature. If you tend to use the internet even as much as an hour a day, however, you'll end up losing thousands of minutes each month as a result.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for cell phone service, cell phone providers and cell phone coverage.

Target Mobile cell phone store launched Mobile Burn Today Target announced three new electronics services that it will begin offering, including Target Mobile, Target Electronics, and 1-877-myTGTech. ... and more »

CNET (blog)

Ask Maggie: On buggy Android upgrades CNET (blog) I recently was looking for a new cell phone carrier, and while looking, something struck me as odd with T-Mobile's cell phone plans. ... and more »

Bristol Township Police Reports - Sept. 2 Bucks Local News T-Mobile cell phone taken from counter. Approximate value $300. -Copperbeach Lane, 8:20 am on Aug. 20. Unknown subjects broke a double- pane glass in the ... and more »

How the Cloud, Mobile Devices Affect Application Strategy Computerworld Cloudy With a Likelihood of Mobile Cell phone vendors are on track to sell 1.4 billion devices this year, after selling more than 2.4 billion in 2008 and ... and more »

MyFox Atlanta

Roswell School May Get Cell Phone Tower MyFox Atlanta About 200 people gathered at the meeting to address a possible T-Mobile cell phone tower at Mountain Park Elementary School. If the plan goes through and ... and more »

Best Buy Doesn't See Tablets Replacing Netbooks Forbes (blog) Best Buy Mobile's cellphone focus means it typically partners with manufacturers and operators to sell service plans along with devices. ... and more »

News Ticker: News Briefs Loudoun Independent Residents in a Sugarland neighborhood aren't happy that a T-Mobile cell phone tower is set to be built on the property of Christ Our Savior Church. ...

Free Online Coupon Website "Coupon Chuck" Helps Local Merchants Restaurants ... PR Web (press release) Nhan Nguyen will lead the Strategic Savings division with the launch of the coupon and mobile cell phone media website http://www.couponchuck.com. ...

U.S. v. VERDUGO Leagle.com Fernández and Betancourt were arrested, and a silver T-Mobile cell phone was seized from Fernández's person. The two men were then transported to the ... and more »

Thieves' loot valued at almost $17000 Moultrie Observer ... two pairs of American Eagle flip flops, four hats, a Boost Mobile cell phone and five pairs of American Eagle socks between 8 am and 5 pm Monday. ...