Choosing the right cell plan might be tough since there are so many options out there. We explain the various plans and help you choose the one that’s best for you.
What information is being incorporated?
The amount of data included in a mobile phone plan is often expressed in gigabytes (GB), however, this amount may vary widely across plans. Before comparing plans, you need to understand how much data you’ll need. If you go over your monthly data allotment, certain plans may by default top up the data. For example, some carriers ask $10 for an extra 1GB of data. This might be costly.
Unused data may be “rolled over” from one month to another with certain service providers. There is a limit to the quantity of data that can still be carried over. If you’re not sure how your plan’s mechanism works, go to the Critical Information Summary. There are cheap mobile plans that don’t charge extra for more data but may restrict the download speed access to the customer once a certain volume of data has already been consumed in the billing month.
Does the plan include a mobile phone and additional devices like headphones or wristwatches?
A common feature of post-paid plans is the availability of a pre-paid smartphone device to go along with your service agreement. If you decide to purchase a phone, you’ll make equal monthly payments for the duration of your contract until you’ve paid off the phone.
The phone will be yours after your contract is up. While a smartphone and other peripherals may be offered for a period of 12 or 24 months, the service agreement is month-to-month. Changing service providers is a cinch, but you’ll have to clear any outstanding debt on your phone or any other attachments before you can do so.
My cell phone bill is too much
Installment payments are an option if you want to pay for your phone over time rather than everything at once. It is common for carriers to provide 24-month installment plans that break down the price of a smartphone into installment payments. In the event that you miss a payment or wish to speed up your payments in order to purchase the phone entirely, you should read the fine print carefully in the contract with your carrier.
Finally, carriers provide the option of leasing vehicles. Due to the inclusion of interest fees, leases are distinct from installment agreements. Leases are a viable option for certain individuals who wish to upgrade their smart phones more frequently than per two years. Again, pay attention to the small print.
How do I know which carrier to go with?
The government has just authorized the consolidation of T-Mobile and Sprint, two of the four largest mobile phone companies in the country. These companies provide the most comprehensive coverage and are also the industry’s most prominent players. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to do a little study to discover out which one gives the greatest coverage and which one has the best data plans for your requirements.
However, these aren’t the only solutions available to you. You may be able to get service in your region from a smaller carrier and lower-cost plans. Try searching for information about providers and plans from trustworthy sites like Consumer Reports on Google.
