Choosing Cell Phone Providers
Buying a new phone these days is more about choosing between a variety of cell phone providers than it is about actually buying a particular phone.
Cell phone providers will determine what phones you can choose from, where you can talk, how much you can talk on said phone, and the features that are available on that phone. A cell phone is little more than a plastic paperweight without cell phone providers. Add in the pressure of signing what are typically two year contracts, and choosing from among the myriad of cell phone providers is much more important than your actual choice of phone.
The first step in choosing cell phone providers is finding out what carriers are available in the area. If you live in a rural area, this may quickly narrow the choices down to a few, if not a single carrier. Metro areas are generally covered by far more carriers, giving consumers a number of choices. Beyond just what is locally available, the next step in deciding on a carrier is whether to go with a CDMA or GSM based phone service.
Code Division Multiple Access technology is used primarily in the United States by a number of carriers such as Sprint and Verizon. Global System for Mobile Communication carriers include AT&T and T-Mobile, with GSM being the standard for mobile phones in Europe. The differences between CDMA and GSM are largely irrelevant if you don't travel. Should you plan on visiting Europe, however, know that only GSM based phones will work overseas.
Choosing cell phone providers can be difficult, with all the myriad plans and options that they offer. One of the best ways to get a feel for cell phone providers, however, is to go online and view feedback or reviews that actual subscribers of their service have made. If the provider has a habit of treating consumers poorly, or offers spotty service, this will be sure to emerge online. Spend some time researching a few carriers online. Look out for widespread reports of bad customer service, or unexpected charges and fees.
Once you have decided from among the pool of cell phone providers, it is time to visit the actual store. When choosing from among plans, think carefully about how much you plan on talking. If you are in doubt, choose a plan with a higher limit on minutes. If you are buying a smart phone for web browsing, be sure to purchase a data plan that will be adequate for your needs. Likewise, resist signing up for features that you simply don't need. It is also important to be aware of when your plan's peak and off peak times are. Calling after certain times may actually be free. Also ask about any free minute group setups, such as a top friends group that you can customize. This will save considerably on minutes if the carrier offers this option.
Selecting a phone is a matter largely of personal preference, but be sure to check out reviews of a couple models before going to the cell phone providers store. Reviews are very subjective, however, because the quality of a call is dependent on geographic location and local interference. Ask a sales rep about grace periods. If cell phone providers offer a grace period, you can return any purchase that doesn't work out before the period expires.
Choosing from among the many cell phone providers on the market today can be a difficult process, but with a little research, you can find the best carrier for your needs.
