| How Much Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost? |
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| | In many cases, buyers start by determining which cell phone carrier, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, or Cingular, then buy a phone and plan based on that carrier. If you're concerned about the quality of connection from your home or work, you can see how good of a signal your friends and co-workers get, and select a carrier based on that, although different cell phone models may receive a stronger or better signal.
CellReception.com states they have data on the location of cell towers across the US and anecdotal information on cell reception by carrier. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Several carriers offer plans starting at $40 for 450 minutes a month + unlimited nights and weekends, and $60 a month for 900 minutes a month + unlimited and weekends. These plans often include long distance calls across the country while within their network, and free in-network calls.
- If you need more than one line, Family Plans will often save you money. A sample family plan would give you 2 lines and 700 minutes for $70, with $10 for each additional line, so at 3 lines, you'd start saving a lot. Plan can vary by area.
- If you make many calls, metroPCS offers plans with unlimited local calls for $30 a month and unlimited nation-wide calls for $40 a month. metroPCS is not available in all areas, and, because there is no contract, you'll need to pay the full price of the cell phone. Plan can vary by area.
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| What should be included: | - Most plans include voicemail, call forwarding and caller ID.
- If you sign a contract, many carriers will give you a free phone and activation (or a heavy discount on a premium phone)
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| Additional costs: | - Additional minutes usually cost extra, often in increments of around 400 minutes.
- On some plans, roaming outside of your region costs extra.
- There are substantial taxes (usually $10-$15) and fees on top of the monthly charge
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| Discounts: | - When your contract term is up, you can renegotiate with your carrier and may get better terms or a new phone.
- Shop around. Different retailers will offer different incentive plans for signing up for a contract, which can include free activation, free or discounted phones, or other promotions.
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| Shopping for a cell phone plan: | - You can start by looking at the current plans at the web sites for T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Cingular and, metroPCS
- You might be able to find better promotions by going to a retailer and asking about any current promotions.
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Article updated November 2006 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $42.84 per month |
Renewed 2 year contract w/Verizon in San Francisco
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| Posted by: PCGuyinCali in San Francisco, CA. | Purchased: November, 2006 |
| Carrier: Verizon | Monthly Minutes: 450+unlimited night+weekend |
| I just re-signed with Verizon Wireless. My old plan had expired and my old phone had died, and by signing a new 2 year contract I got a good deal ($100 after rebate) on the new Motorola KRAZR phone, which I've been very happy with. I'm now on the American's Choice II plan for 39.99 a month with 450 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. So far, so good, and the KRAZR is way, way better than my old LG phone, which got terrible reception. |
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| Amount: $3,500.00 per month |
Beware international Cingular/AT&T rates
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| Posted by: pswms in Boulder, CO. | Purchased: June, 2007 |
| Carrier: Cingular/AT&T | Monthly Minutes: 1000 voice/1000 text |
| With an international calling plan, and all the non-roaming features we could buy from Cingular (now AT&T), we had bills of $1600/$1500/$3500/$2500 this spring and summer when two of our phones were traveling in Mexico ($2.00/minute) Honduras ($2.50/minute), Barbados ($2.00/minute), Greece ($2.00/min), etc., etc. These are the voice rates. Text rates must be even higher. |
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