Archive for July, 2008

Choosing a Cell Phone Plan

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Fortunately with so much competition, cell phone plans are abundant these days. The variety of plans is good news for owners of cell phones everywhere. Since there are so many service providers now, you would be advised to compare as many types of plans that fit with your needs as possible. Care is required so that a buyer is not tied to a contract they do not want.

The option of paying for their cell phone plan on a monthly basis may suit those individuals who use the phone more frequently. For self employed individuals or just heavy phone users, the monthly packages that are available are usually the better option to take.

You also have the option of having a family plan or one based on the region in which you live. Unfortunately, they all have good and bad points so look at the small print carefully.

For prepaid cellular phones, the functionality is often limited so the phone and service you choose may not be able to do everything a similar phone can do when paid for monthly. Plans created for small businesses and families would not be suitable for large companies that have very specific criteria.

For the family user, cellular phone usage discounts are included if you call members of the family that you list on the same bill. Many providers also give discounts for the airtime usage of members talking to any other members within their service.

Of course national cell phone plans will include free calls anywhere in the country. Roaming charges on this type of plan are usually included as part of the agreement and anyone that travels around the country will see the obvious benefits of this type of scheme.

For regional use, this type of plan may require you to pay long-distance charges but the airtime rates may be cheaper. While monthly cell phone plans are generally the best option for most people, some people – usually those with less frequent call requirements – will be best served with a pre-paid plan.

Lastly, some free advice: having a cell phone and being available all the time may not be healthy. Thus, you have to be wary not to allow people disturb you when you need to be alone – with or without your cell phone.

Finding Cell Phones on a Budget

Friday, July 11th, 2008

Although it may not seem possible with the high-tech status of cell phones today, cheap cellular phones are still available. Knowing where and what to look for is the key to a successful search. Almost everyone uses a cellular phone now and there are almost no age barriers for their use. So let’s discuss how to find a cheap cell phone if you are on a budget.

Although it seems great to have a phone with all the options, not all of us need or will use every feature. As long as you know the limitations it will have, you won’t be disappointed. If all you need is a phone that can make and receive calls then there isn’t much point in buying anything fancy with a range of functions you will never use. Just remember, while it may be a basic phone, that does not mean you should skimp on its ability to receive and send calls as this should possibly be the most important reason for having your cell phone in the first place.

Just about every model around the world can send text messages but don’t expect it to have the same functionality of more exotic models. However, the likes of sending and receiving emails may not be possible and when you think about it, how often would you use it anyway? If this is a function you need to have, it will probably be worth your while reconsidering your budget as a cheap cellular phone will not be the type that will serve you best.

If you can afford a cell phone plan that provides a free phone, you may not need to search for an inexpensive model because the free phone may have a reasonable range of features. This is a viable option as special cell phone deals are announced all the time, especially when providers want to make room for the latest models. You could upgrade very inexpensively if this sort of package becomes available.

It doesn’t matter what you intend to purchase, the internet is a great place to research, compare and find what you are looking for. Plus you will usually find whatever you want within the budget you set for yourself.

How to Choose the Best Cell Phone

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

As a current or future cell phone user, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the constant changes that are made to improve cell phones. They now boast an ever increasing range of functions … but just where does it end? Strangely, many buyers overlook certain important things before making their purchase. However, a little knowledge can make all the difference.

Some cell phones have an automatic back light feature which only comes on when buttons are pressed. This saves unnecessary power drain from your battery. If your phone does not have this function, turn the back light off when you are not using the phone or turn down the brightness if this can be done. Some areas of the country always have poor signal strength and coverage but it will still try to find a signal. Doing this uses up a great deal of your cell phone battery power. So if you find yourself in an area like this, just turn your phone off until you find a better reception. Whenever you use your cell phone; talking, playing games, listening to music, taking picture with the flash or surfing the Internet, it will drain the battery faster so limit these activities. Otherwise you may not be able to make that urgent call you need.

Remember, when downloading Web features, games, ringtones, wallpaper, and screen savers, be sure there are no recurring fees. Some companies may not state it upfront but often these features have recurring monthly fees. As far as children are concerned, parents should look for an option where they can disable this feature or ensure that only the parent can access it.

Before you make a decision on a cell phone, it is worth considering how many minutes you will use per month and whether it will be worth arranging for a pay-per use agreement or a pay monthly contract which could be for twelve or twenty four months. Weigh the prices of both types of agreements before signing on the dotted line because if you plan to use your phone regularly, then a long-term contract might be worth it. You will find that as a kind of ‘thank-you’ for taking out a longer running contract, many of the latest feature will be included in the package as well as the provider paying for part of the phone.

Pay attention to any hidden charges like penalties for early termination of the contract as some contracts can be costly to get out of. Some companies will replace your phone if it breaks or is lost or stolen so consider the insurance warranty before buying. Because cell phones are typically carried around everywhere, they can easily get broken or damaged and a warranty will give you peace of mind.

It is always a good idea to buy a cell phone from a company you trust and know is reliable. Even if you are buying online there is no reason to accept poor service or a phone that you will have problems getting accessories for because it is an old model.