Mobile Phone Service Advice!!

Did you know 3 of 10 mobile phone buyers research their wireless phones purchase online as you are doing, but then they don't buy on-line? They walk into a cellular phone store or even an electonics store after all of their research and pay HIGH PRICES.

When you get wireless phones, remember you are shopping for two things, 1) the phone (sometimes a free cell phone) and, 2) a wireless carrier. The idea is to pick the cellular phone, the carrier (Cingular, Verizon, etc.) and the individual plans that fits how, when, and where, you will use your mobile phone. Also your personal use of the cellular phone is a consideration. Here are some suggestions.

• Do a personal calling inventory. Determine how many cell phone calls you're likely to make, the time of day you're likely to place the wireless calls and what days you're likely to make the mobile phone calls.
• In addition to a monthly access fee, your bill is based on the number of calls, the length, the time of day, the day of the week, and sometimes your location. Rates are higher during peak periods, which may be from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and lower during off-peak hours -- early morning, later at night and on weekends.
• Wireless carriers provide a variety of pricing plans. Usually, there are plans designed to accommodate the light, regular and heavy volume customers. Carriers sometimes also offer other pricing incentives, such as free wireless phones, free weekend calling, free minutes of usage or reduced off-peak rates. Choose an individual plan that best fits your calling patterns
• If you plan to use the phone only occasionally, select an economy individual plan. If you make frequent calls, it may be more economical to sign up for a plan that provides a certain amount of free minutes of usage. Heavy users should sign up for a service plan which provides a higher monthly fee, several free hours and the lowest rate of air time.
• Compare local coverage areas. A roaming charge applies when you call from outside your home area. Some homed areas span several states, so any call made within that large area is a local call.

There's usually a fee for activating service to your mobile phone. These fees vary by wireless carrier, so check with current customers of the carrier you may know to see if they are satisfied with the service provided.