Compare Cell Phone Plans

One of the most important things a consumer can do is compare cell phone plans to find the best value for her specific needs. I previously posted on the differences between prepaid cell phone plans and contract cell phone plans. Prepaid cell phone plans can be very good for many people, especially those who use the phones strictly for emergencies or very light calling. Prepaid wireless has come a long way in the last decade. However, I believe most consumers will benefit from a regular postpaid "contract" wireless phone plan, provided they can qualify for the credit check and are willing to commit to a contract agreement.

If a consumer is going to be using the phone heavily for regular calling, text, and/or data, a cell phone plan comparison among the major carriers is warranted.  If we stick to the major carriers, we are looking to compare cell phone plans from Verizon, AT&T ( att wireless), Sprint, and T-Mobile.

All of these carriers pretty much offer a basic calling plan that includes several hundred minutes and ( usually) nights and weekends. Some offer more "free" minutes for calling within their networks and/or to a list of Friends and Family that the consumer chooses. Some differences may include the costs for adding a line to a family plan, text rates, and data. All offer some version of unlimited calling, unlimited texting, and a capped data plan. At the higher end, you may want to compare the types of phones in the network. For example, if you are in love with the iPhone, you only have 2 choices- Verizon wireless or AT&T. Many of the others offer a number of smartphones, but Verizon and ATT tend to have the widest selection of premium phones. Your decision will depend on not only the phone you want but the cell phone plan that provides what you need at the price you are willing to pay for service.

Prepaid Cell Phone Plans

When I made my first post about cell phone plans, I made no distinction between prepaid cell phone plans and postpaid contract plans. As wireless calling plans encompass these and other types of plans, I see no need to really make a distinction when speaking broadly. However, I think most people think of contract plans when they think of cell phone plans, not prepaid cellular.

There are good reasons for this. Most obviously, traditionally prepaid phones did not really have "plans" per se. You bought a phone ( usually a discontinued "regular" cell phone that was given away for a penny with a contract) and you bought "minutes," usually in the form of a card with a stored value. For example you might buy a Nokia somethingorother and then a $20 card for minutes on... Virgin Mobile. Minutes ( and later texts) had a set cost. You used up your account balance, and then bought a new card when you could afford one. Speaking of affordable, prepaid phones were often the last resort for consumers who couldn't afford a cell phone contract or couldn't qualify for the credit check.

These days prepaid providers actually do have real prepaid cell phone plans. With these prepaid plans, you get a similar monthly rate and allowance as traditional plans, but there is no contract or financial ramifications for stopping your service. You might not get as many minutes or features, as that's a trade-off for not committing, but the plans are very competitive.
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Cell Phone Plans

Cell phone plans- I am starting this blog to discuss cell phone plans. I used to sell wireless phones in a retail business, and I have extensive experience and training in this area. I am really amazed ( but not surprised) by how common cell phones are now and all the applications most of us use. It hasn't always been this way, obviously. My first cell phone was on Bell Atlantic Mobile, which later became Verizon. I paid 30 cents per minute for every minute of use. Later I moved on to a $19.99 month plan which included a whopping 30 minutes in a local calling area. Withing 1 year I had nationwide calling with 400 anytime minutes for $35. In some ways, things haven't changed much since then. In other ways, they really have.

There are now unlimited plans, extensive family plans, and text/data plans. iPhones and smartphones rule. Cingular became AT&T, and now At&t wants to take over T-Mobile. Verizon is strong, but Sprint is struggling. Could we only have 2 major choices in a couple years? We will see.

One thing is for sure, cell phones will continue to be used for even more parts of our daily lives and plan offerings will be important in the future

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