Finding a Cell Phone Plan That Works For You


If you're paying more than a hundred dollars on a cell phone plan that only has a basic monthly fee of $24.95, this one's for you.

With cellular phone companies popping up like mushrooms, all with different cell phone plans that "fit" the needs of different people, it is time you looked beyond that swanky VGA camera, pseudo-PDA, WAP enabled, MP3-playing phone and see the fine print of the cell phone plan contract you're signing.

Before you sign anything, it is important to know a few basic things. First, know your calling pattern, cell phone plans are basically weaved with this as the main consideration. Do you call mostly out-of-state or in-state? Do you call mostly at nights and the weekends or do you burn the lines like calling was getting out of fashion?

After determining the factors that make up how you call, do your research, dig up provider brochures, log on the net and find out the deals they're offering on
cell phone plans. Most big-name providers have cell phone plan details on their web sites, even telling of available plans for specific cities and states. But if you still think a mouse is a furry creature scurrying around your house, then grab a phone and chat up some of the friendly customer service representatives who will be more than willing to fill you in on their company's cell phone plan offers. Be cautious, though, because they will try to hook you on the deals they are offering. It's their job.

Here are some terms you'll need to be familiar with so as not get suckered in to a cell phone plan that will only cost you:

Basic monthly fee: also called a service charge, is the basic fee that they'll charge you for your cell phone plan month-in, month-out. This is not dependent on how much calls you make or do not make.

Airtime: These are the minutes you spend on the phone. Cell phone plans give you "free" minutes with the plan. This is not true since these minutes are inclused in the basic monthly fee. If you exceed the allotted minutes, you may be saddled with higher per-minute rates that will blow up your monthly cell phone plan bills to Herculean proportions.

Long-distance rate: The rate you pay per-minute on the calls you make outside the fixed local area. So if you travel a lot, make sure you look up your cell phone plan's long distance rates.

Home calling area: A pre-determined calling zone of service that is set by the provider and may change for different calling plans.

Peak: Time of the day, usually on weekdays, when the maximum per-minute charges are in effect.

Off Peak: Time of day, or days that discounted rates apply. These are usually set late-evenings and weekend. They may also change from time to time so remember to check with your provider regarding your cell phone plan's off-peak times.

Cancellation Charge: Charged by providers when you opt-out of your cell phone plan. This normally ranges in the $100 to $200 zone, but if the savings you'll make on your monthly bills with a new cell phone plan outweighs this one-time charge, then, by all means, go
for it.