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Cell Phone Plan Cost

How Much Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost?

low costLow: $40/month
low costMedium: $60/month

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Cell Phone

Smartphone

Text Messaging

Voice Over Internet Phone Service

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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.
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)
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
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.
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.
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $42.84 per month Renewed 2 year contract w/Verizon in San Francisco
Posted by: PCGuyinCali in San Francisco, CA.Purchased: November, 2006
Carrier: VerizonMonthly 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
Posted by: pswms in Boulder, CO.Purchased: June, 2007
Carrier: Cingular/AT&TMonthly 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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Amount: $74.71 per month cell phone
Posted by: Dominique C. in Grand Rapids, MI.Purchased: March, 2008
Carrier: t-mobileMonthly Minutes: 600
I am on the my favs plan: talk to any 5-people for free and have 600 any time mintues and a 400 message bundle(4.99) and internet (5.99) for a total 74.41
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Amount: $0.00 per month J D Powers Comparison Survey
Posted by: Jesse Kloss in Various, Other.Purchased: May, 2009
Carrier: Compares 9 CarriersMonthly Minutes: Varies
JD Powers Prepaid Wireless Customer Satisfaction Survey

http://www.jdpower.com/telecom/ratings/prepaid-wireless-ratings/sortcolumn-0/ascending/page-1#page-anchor
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Amount: $11.00 per month Tracfone
Posted by: J. Hancock in Miami, FL.Purchased: July, 2009
Carrier: Monthly Minutes: 80
Do not be decieved into using this company. They held up my ported in phone number for 3 weeks-I was stuck with a unusable cell phone for the three weeks. I spent 23 calls of an average of 1 hour and 20 minuites on the phone trying to get the situation straightened out and finding my number I had had for over 8 years. I was trasfered from person to person-hung up on, lied to. I've never been treated this way by a company that wants your business.
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