Shopping for Cell Phones
Cell phones are everywhere. Some people get a cell phone for the convenience of talking wherever they go. Others have them so they can call for help. According to an AARP survey, people age 50 and older are as likely as younger people to have cell phones while most people age 65 and older buy them for security in an emergency. The industry estimates there are about 150 million cell phone subscribers, and this number is increasing annually.
If you are thinking about going cellular, shopping for a phone and service can be confusing. To get the right service for your needs means choosing from even more options than when you choose regular home or long distance phone service. Also you have to sign a contract for cell phone service, locking you in to a particular company for one or two years.
At one time if you were unhappy with your cell phone service, you were stuck. If you changed your carrier, you also had to change your cell phone number, which most consumers didn’t want to do. However, as of November 2003, the Federal Communications Commission gave cell phone customers number portability. This means that you can change your phone carrier without also having to get a new phone number.
Testifying to public unhappiness with cell phone service, an economist who studies the cell phone industry predicted, “There will be a massive reshuffling of the deck.” This is in addition to the normal turnover of 25 percent to 50 percent of cell phone users.
What should you look for if you are buying a cell phone for the first time or want to switch from one carrier to another?
Steps to Follow
Before you shop, figure out how you plan to use your cell phone. Will you use it like your home phone, with many calls every day, day and night? Or will you use it once in a while to let someone know you’ll be late? Some plans favor weekday use; others give you a break on evenings and weekends.
Find a plan that best matches your use. Think about:
- When you'll make most calls.
- How long you'll talk.
- Where you'll be calling from and to.
- Who will be calling you.
- Whether you'll make or receive long distance calls.
Most companies offer plans with a certain number of minutes for a flat monthly fee. It’s not like your home phone bill. With cell phones, you pay for the calls you send and ones you receive. All calls—local and long distance—cost by the minute. Extra minutes, calls made outside the calling area, and long distance calls may cost more. If you don’t use all the minutes in your plan each month, you’re wasting money because you still pay for them. If you didn’t estimate your usage correctly, ask your company what it would cost to change to a different plan.
Compare the deals. Get the most for your money by comparing prices and options for cell phone service plans. You should be shopping more for the service than for the phone itself.
Read the fine print. Pay attention to how long the contract lasts. It may cost you a lot of money to end the contract early. If you lose or don’t use your phone, you will still have to pay for the monthly service contract.
Get a copy of the map covering the area your plan covers. Your cell phone may not work everywhere you go, even in your community. Make sure the plan covers where you will make and receive most of your calls. Calls outside the service area can cost extra or may not connect.
Match the phone and the service. Every cell phone doesn’t work with every plan. Many companies have good deals on phone prices as part of the service plan.
Get the right technology for your needs. If you expect to use your phone only to make a few quick calls, analog service may have wider coverage, cost less, and be more reliable. But it might be worth the extra money to get digital service if you want options like email or caller ID or if you want greater privacy.
More Points to Consider
Find out your phone’s battery type and costs. Batteries add to the cost of using your phone. Ask about how long a battery will last and the cost of a new one. Phones with rechargeable batteries may cost more at first but may save in the long run. But you have to pay extra for the charging device. A dead battery is no use when you need to make a call for help.
Don’t dial and drive. Pull your car over to the side of the road before talking on your cell phone. It’s easy to let a call distract you and cause an accident.
AARP Resources
Navigating
the Cell Phone Service Maze
An online quiz to test your wireless IQ.
Concerned
about quality?
Research from AARP shows cell phone service quality raises
questions.
Understanding Consumer Use of Wireless Telephone
Service
How does your phone use compare? Results of a 2000 AARP Research
study.
Saving Money on Your Telephone Bills
Help in picking your long distance options.
Additional Resource
Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC’s top ten telecom tips
