How to Choose the Best Cell Phone Plan

Choosing a cell phone plan can be like navigating a maze. Multiple providers to choose from and each provider claims to have the best cell phone deal, best coverage, and best cell phone plan. Start at the beginning and consider your options carefully.

Coverage

The most important thing about choosing a cell phone provider is coverage. Find out which phones work well in your home area by checking coverage maps. The cheapest plan out there isn't going to do you any good if it doesn't work where you live or in locations where you spend a lot of time. Will your phone work at your place of employment, relatives' houses and frequent vacation spots?

Calling Needs

Next, consider where you will be calling. Plans are often separated into local, regional, and national calling plans. If you have a landline phone with a great deal on long distance, you may choose to limit your cell phone use to making calls to numbers in your local area. The type of geographical area your plan covers will affect the amount you pay per minute if you go over your minutes.

Also consider where you will be using the phone. If you plan on taking your phone with you when you travel, you should consider a nationwide plan. If you travel with your phone while on a local only plan, you could incur large roaming charges for leaving your home coverage area. Make sure you find out exactly where you could end up getting charged extra fees for using your regular minutes.

How will You Use Your Cell Phone?

Once you've got the "where" down, the next question is how? Decide how you'll be using your cell phone. Will it be for emergencies only, or will you make it your primary form of communication? Will you use the phone for personal use only or for business as well?

Consider what other features you'll use the phone for aside from making calls. Text messages are a popular form of communication. Ask how many text messages are included in your plan or how much it will cost to add that feature. Other optional features vary by cell phone plan, provider, and the type of handset you choose to purchase. Will you pay extra for accessing your e-mail or the internet from your phone?

Estimating the number of minutes you'll need per month can be difficult. Talk to friends and ask how many minutes they usually use. It is often a better idea to estimate high. You'll end up paying more for your plan, but it will save you expensive overage charges if you use more minutes than you thought you would.

Most cell phone companies will be able to switch you to a lower plan the following month if you don't use all of your minutes one month. Look for a company that allows minutes to roll over from one month to the next. Check your minutes often when you first purchase a cell phone. If you are mid-month and it looks like you may go over, call your provider to see if they can offer any assistance.

Free Features are Important

Many providers offer promotions like free nights and weekends or free text messaging. This could make a plan look very appealing, but make sure to check what qualifies as nights and weekends. Whether the provider starts their night minutes at 7 PM or 9 PM could make a huge difference if you use your phone a lot during those times.

Ask Questions

Any type of cell phone plan can look great in an ad; just make sure that the ad matches your reality. Ask questions, and keep in mind that most cell phone companies have a 15 to 30 day return policy. Ask how long you have to use the phone and make sure it works where you need it to before you are permanently locked into your contract.

The most important advice to heed when shopping for the best cell phone deal is to do your research. Almost every cell phone provider has a web page you can browse, and a customer care number or store you can visit for general questions. There are even websites that will allow you to compare cell phone plans side by side. Know your options, and you'll undoubtedly end up with the best cell phone plan that fits your needs.