Cell Phone Billing

How much do you actually pay for your cell phone bill? AT&T, T-Mobile and Cricket wireless all offer the same unlimited talk, text and data plans, but they're all at different prices. I've subscribed to all three of these carriers so I'd like to share with you my billing experience.

Let's start with AT&T. This company offers its unlimited voice and data plan for $99.99 a month, but that's only for smartphone users. I was using an iPhone myself. My plan originally started at that price, but when I said I needed unlimited everything, it jumped up an extra $20 for the unlimited text messaging, which I did not know at the moment and was too ignorant to ask. I was just so excited to be getting a phone. After all was said and done, they told me my phone bill would be $140 a month, and that was true. There is also an activation fee that you will be charged upon your first bill of $150-$200. Now let's see what kind of rates T-Mobile is working with.

T-Mobile has an unlimited plan that starts at $79.99 a month. This company has no hidden fees or charges, just taxes like everybody else. My bill would come to about $90 a month with all the features included - talk, text and data. Depending on your salesman, if it's your first time buying a phone, they might be able to waive your activation fee. I currently use this company but that's not to say it's the one that most suits you. I know from past expierience that Cricket Wireless is the least expensive.

Finally, Cricket Wireless is a no-contract company, which basically means you pay as you go. The catch is that you have to buy the phone that you want at full price. That being said, their unlimited plans start and end at $55 a month. After taxes and surcharges, your phone bill will come between $60-$70 a month. Yes, Cricket is the cheapest in the industry, but the signal is very faulty depending on where you are most the time, and they're not a nationwide company either. At the moment though, they are offering a free Android phone if you switch from any other carrier to their service. All you have to pay is the first month's unlimited plan rate.

In conclusion, the pricing of unlimited talk, text and data plans all vary due to what company one uses. Let's just say that in my dealings with these companies, I do prefer T-Mobile due to its service, but I've been with them for years and have never had a problem. I hope that this helps others who are interested in cell phone usage.