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Comparing Pre-Paid Cell Phone Plans
by Timothy Kearns
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Overview
Pre-paid cell phones offer more flexibility than traditional cell phone contracts. To decide which plan is best for you, consider carefully what your needs are. For example, if you're looking for a backup or emergency phone, you won't need a lot of options. But if you need a prepaid phone for your business, you'll probably need a plan that includes text messages and the mobile web.
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Where Do You Make Your Calls?
Many cellular providers still have limited service in certain areas. For example, US Cellular is a regional carrier that has coverage only in the Northwest and the Southeast of the United States. If you live in those areas and don't travel much, this is ideal. Otherwise it will limit you. Some companies don't face limitations like this because they buy airtime from major networks, like Liberty Wireless.
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Whom Do You Call?
If you call one number most of the time, consider Alltell Communications. This company offers a plan that includes unlimited calling to one number, no restrictions. This is part of its pick two free options packaging. You can choose two of the following: unlimited calls to one number, unlimited text messages, unlimited nights and weekends, or unlimited mobile to mobile calling. If your family and friends mostly use Sprint and Nextel, take a good look at Boost Mobile. This company offers discounted prepaid rates when calling Sprint, Nextel, and other Boost customers. It is also one of the few companies offering prepaid push to talk service---this feature works like a walkie-talkie.
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Watch Out for Fees
The trouble with most prepaid plans is that they're full of fees and roaming charges. For example, US Cellular charges $5.95 per month for text messaging, which gets you 250 outgoing messages and unlimited incoming messages. If you use up the 250, it's 10 cents per message. Roaming charges are 99 cents per minute, and for this carrier that means most of the Southwest and Northeast of the United States. Plans come with packages of minutes, like 200 minutes for $30. But those minutes apply anytime, including nights and weekends. You can buy a package of unlimited night and weekend minutes for $7 per month, but only on plans that cost more than $50. And this company has one of the simpler packages of rules. Many others charge month access fees in addition to charges like these.
The key here is to figure out what you need and find a company that suits your needs but doesn't make you pay for features you don't use---that's the main advantage of prepaid cell phone plans.
