Category: Cell Phones

  • Cellular Phone Plan Comparison Guide

    By Paul

    If you think you are paying too much for your cell phone plan or if you don’t get proper signals in your new apartment, it might be time for you to switch your cell phone plan. The plan that fits your friend’s requirements may not be the right one for you. So don’t go for recommendations and shop according to your friend’s needs. With so many companies offering so many plans, one can get confused. Shortlist your options and compare them on your own. So here is what you need to compare when it comes to cellular phone plans.

    Cellular phone plan comparison — click here

    Rates

    Different providers have different rates for the services they provide. You can shortlist your options based on your budget. And shortlist them further based on the features and coverage. The subscriber can choose from prepaid and postpaid services. The provider may have a family plan where they provide a fixed number of lines and have a fixed monthly minute allowance, text and data plans. Others may have a specific minute allowance, texting plans, but maybe for a single person instead. Or offer the same service at a different price. The rates may also differ, based on contract terms. Some providers offer free texts. Some providers may base their prices on the services used. The packages can be chosen based on the subscriber’s budget and requirements.

    Features

    Some people may base their decision on what services they require and for how many people. They should compare the features different providers offer on the phones they have to offer. Often, 24 month contract promotions can save you money on a new cell phone. They may have these for the whole family or for a single individual or just may offer two lines. While others may offer cheaper phones with features like more minutes, free texts and rollover minutes. A provider may even give you an option of contract or no contract and still offer talk, text and data plans. Some may feature family plans for a specific number of users offering talk, text and data plans, with an additional feature that allows you to call or text certain people for free.

    Coverage

    Different locations receive better signals through different carriers. For people who travel a lot, this may be a very important factor. Some services charge for roaming, others may not. Some offer nationwide services while other networks fail to reach certain areas.

    Cellular phones have become a very important part of our daily lives. Choosing the right plan can save you a lot of money. So, the next time you sign up for a service, make sure it is exactly what you need!

  • Cheap Cell Phone: Five Tricks That Work

    By Paul

    If you are on the lookout for a cheap cell phone plan, then you will find that it is not easy to get one. You will have to work hard and use a bit of trickery to get the deal that you want. In today’s modern era, the rising prices of commodities can put a dent on your savings and the last thing you want is an expensive data plan. It may look like a time consuming process but when you see the low costs, you will be pleased. Let’s discuss the top five tricks that you can use to get cheap cell phone data plans.

    Click here to compare cheap cell phone plans

    Negotiate

    With a bit of wheeling and dealing, you could end up getting a deal that is just right for your pocket. Mobile phone service providers are in cutthroat competition and the last thing they want is to lose a valuable customer like you. So this gives you the upper hand when it comes to bargaining for a deal. Before you commit to a plan, examine all fees and costs that you will have to pay on a monthly basis.

    You have several avenues

    As the customer, you are in a position of power. Once you have decided upon a service provider, you will have several different options through which you can purchase the plan. You can go to the retail store, company outlet, or shop online.

    Consider a family plan

    The more customers the cell phone service provider gets, the more benefits they will give to you in return. When you get a family plan, your overall costs are reduced as they are split up. You can even get a family plan with the help of your friends. You don’t need to prove that you are truly a family.

    Ask for a group discount

    Every cell phone service provider gives additional benefits to special customers. For example: a company who gives all their employees a data plan from the same subscriber is likely to get cheaper rates. If you have a large group of people with you, then you can ask for a group discount.

    Minimal minutes and low features

    With amazing free calling apps now available, you should really consider getting a plan that has minimal free minutes. At home, you can use the internet or the home phone, and if you have WI-Fi, then you can use the apps outdoors as well. Another thing for a cheap data plan is choosing low tech features. The more content you download the more you will be charged. So if you want to download something, do it over a Wi-Fi network or it will end up costing you a bundle of money.

    These are the key elements that will help you get a cheap data plan. If you want to save even more money, then go for a prepaid plan and avoid buying additional accessories from your subscriber. Remember that if you are willing to put in the effort, you will get the desired results and a cheaper plan.

  • Family Mobile Plans Demystified: What You Should Know?

    By Paul

    Cell phones have become essential for survival since they are considered the primary means of staying in touch with those we love and care. Although cell phones have become integrated in our lifestyles, they stack up significant costs to your existing household bills. Family mobile plans are a great option when you have several family members relying on cell phones as it saves you a handsome amount on your monthly phone bills.

    Click here to compare family mobile plans

    How do family mobile plans work?

    In a family mobile plan, all the family members are covered by one bill for a couple of cell phones. The pool of calling minutes, data bundles, and text messaging quota is shared among the family members. Some family plans even let you talk with the members in the family plan for free without using up your allotted plan minutes.

    Family mobile plans come in pretty handy when you want your spouse or children to be on the same plan. It is not necessary for all family members to be living in the same house to share the family plan. Even if your family member lives in a different part of the city and you frequently end up contacting him/her, you can save much with a family plan. You can add additional phone numbers in your family mobile plan depending on your family size for a reasonable fee ($10 extra per month for most plans).

    How to choose family mobile plans

    Different families have different needs with regards to their cell phone usage. Teens vigorously use cell phones and would demand smart phones with multimedia capabilities while some elders might just need a basic cell phone mostly for calls.

    Here are certain points that you should keep in mind while shopping for a family plan:

    Assess Pool of calling minutes required

    Find out the special deals on family mobile plans for certain times of the day or for calls to certain phone numbers. Note any cluster packages available for weekends or late evenings which can save you a great deal of money. You need to consider the number of people you plan on sharing your family mobile plan with along with the geographic area you would be making calls to. All these aspects would affect the amount of calling minutes needed in the plan.

    Coverage provided by family plans

    Different cell phone carriers provide different degrees of coverage in each area. You should find out the extent of coverage offered by family plan since this determines where you can make calls from. Be sure to get coverage maps for your ease from your carrier.

    Availability of handsets

    Not every carrier would provide you with a diverse range of handsets that you can choose from. If a certain family member has a preference for a particular cell phone, you might want to consider that before opting for a family mobile plan.

    It is important to carefully select cell phone carrier and a family mobile plan that best fits your family needs because it can be quite frustrating to change carriers.

  • Free Cell Phone: What You Should Really Know

    By Paul

    Cell phones have become an integral part of our lives. Over the last decade, the market for cell phones has grown exponentially. It seems that this rapid growth will only continue to grow and perhaps at an even faster pace. So when you hear about someone giving away free cell phones, you are very likely to get curious. Given the cutthroat competition in the mobile industry, how can a manufacturer afford to give away something for free? Well, there is more to it than meets the eye. There are certain things you should know about free cell phone giveaways. Here are a few tips to help you;

    Click here to compare free cell phone offers with activation

    Government Giveaways

    Qualification Process

    Recently, the government has introduced plans that involve free cell phone giveaways. These are meant for the people who are financially weak. The goal is to provide low income families with basic amenities. However, not every individual qualifies for this program. There is a specific qualification process. Your income level has to be below a certain level of federal poverty guidelines.

    Regulated Program

    Don’t expect everyone in your house to end up with a cell phone by the end of the week. These programs are highly regulated and only the most deserving get free cell phones. Only one account is available per household. A nationwide database is maintained that checks the connection prior to the approval of free service.

    Basic phone and service

    Don’t expect to end up with a brand new smartphone. The purpose of this program is to give you a phone with basic functionalities so that you can use it for work and emergencies only. The monthly limit is capped as well.

    Private giveaways

    Giveaways by private firms are more popular as compared to government giveaways. Perhaps these are more common but have hidden elements attached to them since they are targeting paying customers.

    Not absolutely free

    Certain things that you need to know about getting free cell phones from your subscriber or manufacturer is that they aren’t absolutely free. There is a hidden cost, you might get a free handset, but you will have to pay for activation or maybe required to sign up for a plan. Of course, if you intend to stick with the company, it may not be such a bad idea.

    Time constraint  

    These offers are mostly limited time offers. You won’t get them throughout the year and secondly you will have to pay full charges after a certain time.

    Longer contract

    Given that your cell phone subscriber is giving you a free cell phone, they are likely to want something in return as well.  This will come in the shape of a long term contract, they will want you to commit for longer so that you don’t switch midway. This can tie down a customer and limit choices.

    So before you consider getting a free cell phone keep these factors in mind. Remember that nothing is completely free.

  • How To Get A Cell Phone With Bad Credit

    By Paul

    Bad credit can be pretty nasty. With the heap of overdue mortgage payments, credit card bills and monthly loan installments racking up into a conglomerate debt, it might be hard for you to obtain a cell phone of your choice. For carriers, it has been customarily since long to carry out credit checks before taking on new subscribers to their service to be assured of timely payments. This practice had made it difficult to opt for a cell phone, but times have changed and turned favorable for high credit risk individuals.

    Today, high risk consumers suffering from bad credit have more choices to choose from for a cell phone that doesn’t require neither a contract nor a credit check.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans, including plans for bad credit

    Options you might consider when you have bad credit

    You don’t have to be puzzled anymore with “how to get a cell phone with bad credit”, just review any of the alternatives below available at your disposal.

    Pay-as-you-go

    Similar to calling cards, pay-as-you-go give you a fixed amount of calling minutes that you have bought. Once you have consumed the balance, you can refill when needed. Many cell phone providers might have such prepaid plans that are especially for people with bad credit ratings wishing to improve their credit score and use a cell phone at the same time.

    Give a deposit

    Some carriers require you to make deposits so that you may purchase a phone and a service plan. This deposit gives the provider the financial assurance when you are suffering from bad debt. Don’t worry; you will get the deposit back when the contract is over.

    Get a co-signer

    Dig around to find out which cell phone providers accept co-signers in case a person suffers from bad credit.  Get a close family member or a dear friend to co-sign the contract with carrier. This guarantees that the person who has signed the contract with you would be responsible incase any bills are defaulted. The cell phone would be in your name and the bill would also be sent to you.

    Purchase directly from a cell phone manufacturer

    There are certain manufacturers with the aim to sell cell phones rather than cellular service. Therefore, they will not have any problems with your bad credit history as long as you pay them in full for the handset. Moreover, they also do not require you to make any deposits with a cellular service provider or with their company. You can easily purchase phones from the website without any hassles associated with bad credit.

    Therefore, even if you suffer form a bad credit rating, you can still get a cell phone you desire including making a pick from among the latest smartphones in the market. Try out the above valuable suggestions to get a cell phone as soon as you can. Of course, you don’t want to end up with no cell phone in this day and age!

  • New Cellular Phones: First Steps

    By Paul

    Buying a new cell phone can be a big hassle for most people. A lot of people don’t have the required knowledge to make informed decisions. The market also keeps fluctuating which leaves most users hapless. However, buying a new cell phone is not that difficult and with a bit of knowledge, you can get a good phone in no time at all. Here are a few tips to guide you with new cellular phones.

    Pick a carrier

    The first thing that you need to do is pick a carrier. Prices for each carrier vary, so choose wisely and in compliance with your budget. Maybe someone in the family can recommend a reliable carrier. Also consider the coverage that you are going to get from your chosen carrier. When selecting a carrier, also consider call service and quality. You can also do some research online to find out more about the available options.

    Click here to compare new cellular phones

    Finding a phone

    The next and most important step is finding a phone that suits your needs. Are you a user who wants the absolute best smart phone on the market or are you happy with a non-technical, basic phone? These are questions that you will need to answer. Mostly, youngsters prefer using phones that are fully equipped with the latest technology whereas the elderly maybe happy with a phone that serves their basic functions of calling and texting. Given the minor difference in prices, buying a high end phone may be well worth it.

    Consider the features

    Even if you make up your mind about the type of phone you want, your job is only half done. There are so many other factors that you need to consider as well such as the features of the phone. Cell phones nowadays are equipped with all sorts of features, such as cameras, external memory, software etc. So decide first about what features you want and how they affect your budget.

    Which feature do you use most?

    Now keep in mind that all these phones available in the market are only separated by minor differences. One phone may have a better camera than the other, but the other might have a better keypad. So decide which feature you value the most and choose accordingly. If you text a lot, then get a phone with a QWERTY keypad.

    Are you brand conscious?

    A lot of people are very brand loyal and conscious. They make their decisions based on the value of a brand. For example: Apple is a major player in the cell phone market and a lot of people only buy Apple products without even considering others. This factor can make the decision for you. If you are a happy customer of a major brand, then you will see no reason to switch and might only get the new version of the same product once it is released.

    There are plenty of new cellular phones in the market. In fact, every month a few hundred are released. So making a decision is not going to be easy but if you follow these tips you should be able to land a good deal.

  • No Credit Check Cell Phones: How To Get Cell Phone Service If You Have Credit Issues?

    By Paul

    Credit, although, might appear as a life-saver in the short term but in the long term can push you into a vicious cycle of debt. When you are heavily burdened by debt issues, it is very difficult for you to obtain credit cards, loans, and even cell phone subscriptions. This is because the credit score is a very important figure that determines your ability to pay off your dues. When an individual’s credit history is dotted with frequent late payments, missed payments or overdue credit, the credit worthiness of the person is at risk.

    But how would you get cell phone service if you have credit issues?

    Now that you know that your credit score determines the risk you present to a cell phone carrier, it might be hard for you to obtain the desired cell phone packages from a carrier of your choice. Certainly, you can’t go about living without a cell phone because it’s practically impossible to do so. One way out is using no credit check cell phones.

    No credit check cell phones — what are they?

    No credit check cell phones are mobile phone plans that are provided without any credit checks to those who suffer from bad credit. These no credit check cell phones are available with budget friendly solutions for individuals who have a low credit score and even for frequent travelers. For instance, if you happen to travel to a particular city in the US frequently, then it would be wise of you to get a no credit check cell phone rather than an expensive contract-based cell phone service.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans, including prepaid and other options

    How to get cell phone service if you have credit issues?

    Different carriers provide different service plans for the no credit check option.

    1. Pre-determined security deposit

    With this option, you have to provide a security deposit that is usually refundable after a year based on your payments throughout the year. In return, you get a cell phone line from the carrier.

    2. Prepaid cell phone

    Monthly prepaid option is another way of obtaining a no credit check cell phone. Since you have already paid in advance, you appear as zero risk to the providers. After a few months of refurbishing you credit score with the prepaid option, you can switch to regular service plans based on your need.

    3. Purchase plans from local retail store

    Some well known local retail outlets even provide no credit check cell phones. These no credit check phones can be recharged with more minutes once you have used up your calling minutes.  These minutes can be bought from the store or from the company’s website directly.

    You should realize that no credit check cell phones are used to boost up your credit image and improve your credit score. Once you have done that, you should make it a habit not to build credit as it can harm your reputation and affect your financial health.

  • Prepaid Cellular Phones: Debunking Common Myths

    By Paul

    The general perception of the populace towards prepaid cellular phones has taken a dramatic U-turn over the years. The availability of flashier and supposedly better data plans has caused  people to change preferences. More significantly, this trend has been bolstered by some myths going around regarding prepaid cellular phones. One should be able to tell fact from fiction, else you might miss out on great deals and high quality calling plans.

    Click here to compare cell phone plan packages

    Outdated models

    Starting off with the most commonly heard myth, you would often read that prepaid cell phones are outdated. This is not true at all. Prepaid phone retailers have the latest iOS and Android smartphones on offer which you can buy. Several leading providers are in fact expanding their product line to include newest generation smartphones of other companies. You truly don’t need to compromise on the model when it comes to buying a prepaid phone.

    Limited data options

    Once again, a myth based purely on hearsay and not on fact, some people believe that you cannot get unlimited data usage on a prepaid plan. The reality is that you can easily get a plan which offers you unlimited calling, texting, and data usage for a flat rate, often much lower than what you have to pay on for contracts.

    Higher cost

    Carrying on from the previous point, there is also a myth regarding the cost involved in purchasing prepaid cellular phones over contract-based phones. You might have to do a little research regarding the different packages on offer but you would be able to find a package plan which costs little more than $30. Even if you get a data plan from one of the leading carriers, you cannot expect to pay more than $50 a month.

    Unreliable coverage

    Last, but not the least there is a myth that the coverage you get on prepaid cellular phones is  unreliable and doesn’t measure up to that offered by contract carriers. The fact of the matter is that prepaid services use the same networks as leading providers. They are making use of the same resources so there is little or no difference between the quality of the coverage you receive. In short, the coverage you get on prepaid cellular phones is reliable.

    These are some of the common myths about prepaid cellular phones you might hear or read about that may dissuade you from buying one. The bottom-line is that if you want to get a prepaid phone, there is no reason not to.

  • Prepaid Wireless Phone Plans That Will Make You Rock For Sure

    By Paul

    Back when prepaid phone plans were introduced nationwide, they were mostly inexpensive phones for those who couldn’t afford long-term contracts. But with evolution in technology and consumer demand, the sector has surely lured in data hungry subscribers.

    Over the past few years, a large number of new subscribers have opted for prepaid wireless phone plans.

    What Prepaid Wireless Phone Plans Have To Offer You?

    Reduction in your monthly bill by almost half!

    You’ll be saving a lot of money when you switch to prepaid plans because many network operators provide affordable packages that revolve around unlimited text or talk and varying data usage levels. One thing you can be sure of is that prepaid plans offer flat rate pricing which means you won’t be surprised by any hidden fees or taxes. At least, you can be happy with the constant costs each month!

    Click here to compare cell phone plans

    Power users can sweep up prepaid

    If someone in your family is a data hog, you might end up with a mini heart attack with a staggering amount of phone bill with your postpaid connection. Switching to a prepaid plan is beneficial as there are exciting deals with regards to mobile data speeds and amounts.

    Switch between prepaid plans with ease

    Perhaps, the best gain you could ever have is the freedom from restricting contracts of postpaid plans. You can switch both the phone and the actual plan when you move from one provider to the next. Just make sure you sync your settings with Google, so it is an easy bounce from one phone to the other.

    Get to keep your mobile number absolutely yours

    It could be a pain jumping from one number to another when you switch between plans. Save yourself the hassle and port your number onlind. You can experiment with the personalized voicemails for different incoming calls but have to compromise a bit on the inability send an MMS.

    Exciting range of phone models

    Whoever told you that with prepaid wireless phone plans you have to settle down with ancient cell phones is absolutely wrong! Prepaid carriers provide trendy, innovative and latest smart phones that you can opt from.

    Switch from a postpaid smart phone to prepaid wireless phone plans that will make you rock. No contracts, no nasty surprises, a complete sense of control.

  • Cell Phone Radiation: Easy Ways To Protect Yourself

    Technology has drastically improved our lifestyles, and by drastically I mean a lot of areas in our life are impacted. There is no doubt that we have seen a dramatic improvement in the way we cook, the way we travel, the way we build our homes and the way we communicate.

    Speaking of communication, technology has made it possible to interact with any one, at any place on this Blue Planet. But such improvements are often packaged with some far-reaching and undesirable effects on human health. One such issue is that of cell phone radiation.

    Cell phone radiation and conflicting theories

    As surprising as it may sound, cell phone radiation has been a major source of contention. While some research findings claim that the radiation emitted by cell phones is too low and hence inadequate to create any deleterious effect on health, there are as many contrasting reports that are crying hoarse about the dangers to human health. Thus far all we can say is that the findings appear to be contradictory.

    Cell phone radiation dangers to human health

    There are a variety of health disorders that are being linked to cell phone radiation, but the most important and notable one amongst them is the increased risk of developing brain cancer/tumor. The radiation emitted from the cell phones is likened to that emitted from a microwave oven and the heat released from the cell phones during usage is said to slowly cook the brain and destroy the brain cells.

    These side effects are said to occur more in people who engage in prolonged and continued cell phone usage. Other health effects include loss of memory. All this has been debated but there is scientific merit on both sides.

    How to protect yourself from cell phone radiation?

    The simplest answer would be to completely avoid using any cell phones at all, but that is far from being practical. The most practical solution is to limit the duration of usage of your cell phone to the bare minimum.

    The next method that is commonly recommended by experts is to make use of text messaging instead of voice call, whenever you can. This method will definitely reduce your monthly phone charges as well (if that is any motivation for you to avoid cell phone radiation).

    Experts who have been doing research on this topic have found that the cell phones tend to emit maximum amounts of radiation when their batteries are under charged. So, make it a point to re-charge your battery before it touches base level and also avoid using your phone if you find that the charge is very low.

    Using wired headsets and switching the speaker option on, are both two easy steps towards protecting your body from unnecessary radiations.

    Another method known as the toggle method, which entails holding the phone away from your body while speaking and closer to the ear only for hearing, is also an useful method, but not necessarily convenient and acceptable to everyone.

    Different cell phones have found to emit different levels of radiation. People who are quite serious about avoiding cell phone radiation can opt to buy only those models that emit the lowest levels of radiations. FCC may have more to say on that, though.