Service providers commonly dictate which phone models would work well on their networks. So, if you plan to replace your phone, make sure that you know the guidelines in choosing a phone that will be compatible with your chosen service carrier. This way you can easily decide whether you will stick with your current provider or you will subscribe to a new one.

So to help you in choosing a cell phone unit, we have enumerated some factors you should consider.

Tips on Selecting a Phone Unit

1.Identify your current service plan. First and foremost, you need to know whether you are subscribed to a monthly plan or a prepaid cell phone service.

Monthly phone contracts typically provide a wide array of cell phone models you can choose from. The phones offered under this plan are those that carry the latest technology and features desirable in a phone. Some of these unique features include: Bluetooth headsets, GPS navigation, internet connectivity and complex organizers. So, if you will be using these special functions, you can easily choose a phone model that will suit your lifestyle and needs.

On the other hand, if you possess a prepaid cell phone plan, you will find that the choices of phone models are somewhat limited. This is because a prepaid cell phone service typically caters to occasional users of mobile phones. And a prepaid cell phone plan also provides very fewer features for its subscribers. Thus the phones offered in this program are mostly the conventional models that carry voice and text messaging capabilities.

So identify your current plan, and check out the different phone units you can purchase.

2.Determine how much money you can use to purchase a phone. If you have saved up enough money, and you are a cell phone power user, then you can always purchase a smart phone. This way, you can maximize the features you can enjoy with your state of art mobile phone. And for sure you will get your money’s worth.

But if you have very little savings and you need to replace your phone right away, you can always take advantage of phones that carry prepaid cell phone services. Prepaid phones are very affordable. This is because they provide very basic features. Phones that carry prepaid cell phone services are often categorized as conventional mobile devices. Through these phones you can store your frequently used numbers, send and receive text messages and of course make and receive phone calls.

So consider your budget for you to identify the type of phone and features you can afford to purchase.

3.Your provider’s digital network. A third consideration is your carrier’s network. If you are subscribed to Sprint and Verizon, then the phone you should choose must work on CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology. On the other hand, if you use AT&T and T-Mobile, then you must select a phone that will work on Global System for Mobile Communication or GSM technology.

Employ these three tips and you can be properly guided in choosing and in purchasing the right cellular phone unit.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

A lot of people find it hard to decide whether they would buy prepaid phone plans or not. The dilemma usually lies on the difficulty of weighing out the pros and cons of using wireless prepaid phone services.

Actually the issue of whether or not to purchase prepaid phones is caused by the misconception and wrong information that people obtain about prepaid phones. So to finally correct these misconceptions, allow us to present the real benefits and disadvantages of buying and using prepaid cell phone service.

The Advantages of Prepaid Phones

Prepaid plans work best for teen agers. Through a wireless prepaid phone service, parents can easily control and manage the cell phone activities of their teenage children. Through a prepaid plan, parents can help their children understand the value of living – and in this case calling and texting – within their means.

Should they go overboard, these youngsters will be left with a mobile phone that will merely serve as a paperweight until new minutes could be loaded to it. Yes, prepaid services will teach your kids the value of responsibly managing not just their finances but also the minutes in their phones.

A prepaid cell phone service does not require providers to evaluate your credit report. Since your consumption of the minutes is limited, prepaid phone providers need not worry about the risk of offering this prepaid plan to as many people as they can. This means that everyone can enjoy the use of prepaid plans in their phones.

The Drawbacks in using Prepaid Phones

Now let us discuss the cons or disadvantages of prepaid phones. A lot of people usually complain about the high call rates charged on most prepaid phone cards. If we will look closely, most of the prepaid plans for cell phones charge higher costs per minute of call than post paid plans. Hence, a prepaid phone user needs to be conscious about the calls he/she makes.

Also, prepaid plans usually have expiration dates. To enjoy the continuous services of your prepaid plan, you have to re-load minutes to your phone. This will be a major drawback if you use your phone for web surfing, because your surfing will be interrupted once your prepaid minutes run out.

Lastly, some providers of wireless prepaid phone services deactivate not just your phone but even your phone number if you fail to reload immediately. This will require you to re-do the whole application process just so you could get a new phone number.

Now that you know the real pros and cons of using prepaid phones, we hope that you can analyze and finally decide whether or not to purchase a prepaid phone plan.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Many people are attracted to prepaid cell phones because generally, it is far more convenient to get a prepaid phone than it is to apply for a regular cell phone service.  Do you want to try out a prepaid phone yourself?  Or are you a regular phone service subscriber who plans to switch or go prepaid?

The fact is, that prepaid phones can be advantageous for some people yet impracticable for some.  It all depends on your lifestyle and purpose for using a cell phone.  Therefore, before purchasing your prepaid phone kit, consider first the pros and cons before making a decision whether it is the perfect plan for you.

Prepaid Cell Phone Pros

You are not tied up to a long term contract. Many cell phone service providers require their customers to sign up for at least a two year contract.  That means you cannot terminate the contract before this time period.  If you decide to deactivate the account, you will have to pay the penalty.

No need to worry about credit checks. If you are someone who is currently in the process of rebuilding bad credit, applying for a regular cell phone plan, or post paid plan as its also known, may prove to be tough.  By obtaining prepaid cell phone service, there is no need to worry about the status of your credit history.

No monthly bills and late fees. For those who want to exercise a limit on their budget, prepaid phones are a good option.  Since it is prepaid, you can reload your account as you need to use it.  There is no need to worry about falling behind your payment due dates or being penalized for being late.

Prepaid Cell Phone Cons

Limited choice of phone units. Typically, the choices of cell phone are limited with prepaid phone plan packages.  While many prepaid cell phone issuers are working hard to bring their customers all the features they have grown accustomed to with their old cell phone service, If you are looking for a phone like the I-Phone or Droid you will not be able to get these on a prepaid plan….. yet.

Limited coverage. Compared to regular phone plans, prepaid phones may only work in limited areas so before purchasing a prepaid kit, you’ll want to check out the available coverage provided by your chosen carrier.

You can’t use a prepaid phone plan to rebuild credit. Subscribing to a regular cell phone service can be one way to build up your credit rating since it involves monthly payments.  If you choose to go prepaid, you will need to find other means to enhance your credit history as prepaid cell phone service providers cannot keep track of your phone usage or report your payments to the credit bureaus.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Prepaid cell phone services are becoming more popular these.  People who do not want to commit to a long term contract and those who cannot qualify for a post paid phone service because of bad credit turn to prepaid plans.

Are you planning to get a prepaid phone too?  Or are presently subscribed to a post paid plan yet considering a switch to prepaid?  Before you take the next step, first consider if a prepaid cell phone service is indeed right for you.  In this article, let’s discuss the advantages and limitations of using a prepaid wireless phone.

Prepaid Phone Advantages

Lower your monthly bills. You can save a great deal from a prepaid wireless phone if you choose the plan that matches your needs.  Pay-as-you go plans are recommended for people who do not need unlimited talk time.   Many prepaid cell phone companies offer affordable bundle packages that comes with the two basic services- text messaging and calls.      

No credit check done. Anyone can get a prepaid phone at any time regardless of credit standing.  It doesn’t matter if you have bad credit or no credit history at all.  Since you will only be able to use your phone by reloading credit, Issuers do not need to worry about defaults.

More affordable. If you stick with the budget you set, then prepaid phones are definitely the best way to cut costs.  You can get a prepaid plan for as low as $10 per month only.  That gives you at least 30 minutes of talk time at .10 cents per minute per call and .10 cents per text message.

Prepaid Phone Limits

Higher Per Minute Call charges. You can expect higher per minute call charges compared to a post paid plan.  Thus, if you to make calls from a wireless phone on a daily basis or if you need one for business, perhaps a contractual phone package is the more practical choice.

No Free Handset. Post paid wireless plans are often accompanied with the latest phone units or handsets that you can get for free or for cheap monthly installments.  On the other hand, prepaid providers do not offer free handsets since the use is not subject to any contract.  Thus, if you want a trendy handset, you’ll have to buy it on your own.

Extra Services cost more. If you want to subscribe to additional features such as voice mail, caller ID, three-way conferencing, call waiting etc., you need to pay extra for each type of service.  With a post paid plan, these functions are often already included with the package.

Limited Coverage. Different prepaid phone providers extend varying coverage services, depending on the area or State.  It’s very important to consider this factor especially if you frequently go on out-of-State trips.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Nowadays, wireless cell phones are considered to be an essential part of everyday life. There are basically two ways to get a wireless phone service. You can either subscribe to a post paid plan or get a prepaid cell phone package. Which one is for you? In this post, let us compare the advantages of a prepaid phone plan over a post paid one.

Prepaid – Pay As You Use It

Wireless prepaid phones are perfect for people who need a mobile phone but seldom make calls or send text messages. Although the per minute call charges are much higher with a prepaid plan, you can save a great deal if you are a limited cell phone user.

Prepaid call cards range from as low as $10 to as high as $100 and up. At .10 cent per minute, a $10 load will give you at least 30 minutes of talk time that will not expire up to 30 days. The higher the denomination of your call card is, the longer lifespan of your credit would be.

What’s great about prepaid phone plans is that you are not bounded by any contract. If you are not satisfied with your carrier’s service, you can easily make the switch to a different prepaid cell phone service provider without any hassle.

Prepaid Phone Limits

Are there disadvantages to using a prepaid plan? If have been used to using a post paid cell phone, switching to a prepaid plan may be inconvenient at first. Remember that you will have to buy a new call card and reload each time you run out of balance. For some people, this could be a major drawback especially during times when you need to make an emergency call. Nevertheless, one solution to this problem is to reload your account immediately before or as soon as your last load expires.

Set a definite monthly budget and stick to it. If you don’t, you may end up spending more with a prepaid phone than with a post paid package. Be conscious about the expiration date of your balance each time you reload your account. There are prepaid wireless service providers that will automatically carry over your unused calls or texts as long as you reload the day before your balance expires. If your carrier does not have this provision, load only the exact amount that you can use to avoid wasting your credit.

When Post Paid is a Better Option

If, after considering your situation, you feel that a post paid plan is a more practical choice, you can save more money by choosing the right plan and service provider. Spend time reading the fine print before signing up your contract. Compare the rates and the services offered. You can also ask your friends and family members who have a firsthand experience in subscribing to a particular phone plan and carrier or check out cell phone reviews online.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Prepaid cell phone service providers today strive to stay on top of the market by offering the most reliable and most affordable deal. Because of the recent economic slump, what consumers need is a prepaid cell phone plan that matches the budget.

While, many cell phone users are subscribed to a post-paid plan, more and more people are encouraged to switch to a prepaid plan to save costs. How can you find the right prepaid cell phone service provider? Here are some tips:

Understand your needs. People need prepaid phones for different reasons. Some may need to use it for frequent calls while others may use primarily for text messaging. Some people may need a wireless prepaid phone when on a trip or on the road. Obviously, there is not one standard prepaid package that will work for everyone.

Therefore, you need to understand your personal situation and determine your priorities. Don’t sign up for a plan just because you like the phone unit that comes along with the package. Check out the maintenance costs. How much will it cost you to keep your phone active?

If you prefer to call rather than send text messages, then you should choose a plan with a lower per call rate and more talk time. On the other hand, if you’re a frequent traveller, you need to look for a provider that offers reliable roaming service and reasonable long distance call rates.

Shop around online. Prepaid phones are now available at leading malls and convenient stores such as Wal Mart, Target and 7-11. However, before going out to buy one, it’s best to explore your options first through the internet.

You can check out product review websites to get a better idea as to which carriers offer the best deals. Some websites have an online comparison tool that allows you to compare varying prepaid phone packages on the same page.

Currently, the leading names in the wireless prepaid phone market are Net10, TracFone, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Alltel, T-Mobile, Cingular and Verizon Wireless. By checking online, you can compare prices and services right from your computer.

Should you go prepaid? For some people, a post-paid cell phone plan is a more practical option. Before going prepaid, make sure that it will match your needs and lifestyle. Prepaid wireless phones are best for:

• people who want to limit their phone usage
• people who do not want to commit to a long contract
• parents who want to provide a cell phone to their kids
• people who are on a budget

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

Now that times are tough, many are switching from a post-paid cell phone plan to a prepaid cell phone service.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of using prepaid cell phones?  Should you get a prepaid phone as well?

Advantages of Prepaid Cell Phones

Pay only for your call/text usage. A common complaint with post paid phone plans is that subscribers find additional charges on their bill for calls they never made.  With a prepaid phone, there’s no need to worry about incurring extra charges, missing your due date of payment, or paying late penalty fees.

Sponsored by:

Easy to acquire. There’s no need to fill out application forms or sign up for the 1 year contract to get approved.   If you want to have your own prepaid cell phone, all you have to do is visit your chosen carrier and make a purchase.

Put a limit over your spending. It is easier to exercise control over your call expenses using a prepaid cell phone.   You can only reload a limited amount of credit that you can use for the whole week or the whole month.  With a post paid plan, you can always make a call at anytime or make your calls a little bit longer than necessary, racking up your bills for the month.

Disadvantages of Prepaid Cell Phones

Now that we have discussed the advantages of owning a prepaid cell phone, let’s tackle the disadvantages that you should consider as well.  Remember, if you need to make frequent calls from your cell phone every day, then you may be able to save more with a post paid plan.  Prepaid phones are great for those who only make phone calls occasionally.
Sponsored by:
You always have to reload new credit. Once you’ve used up all your available credit, you will need to buy a new prepaid card or transfer funds to your cell phone to be able to use it for new calls or texts.

You can’t use a prepaid phone to build credit history. Cell phone companies do not provide credit reporting for their prepaid plan subscribers.  If you want to build up your credit history, then what you need is a post paid cell phone service.

The cost per call is higher than a post paid plan phone. Since prepaid cell phones charge calls by the second, not by the minute, you could end up paying for more if you make longer calls frequently.  If you need a longer airtime, then a post paid plan may be a better choice for you.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!

If you want to cut back from your personal costs, why not consider switching from cell phone line to a prepaid cell phone plan?  Yes, using a prepaid cell phone can actually give you significant savings.  How?  Here are practical tips on how you can save money using a prepaid phone.

Choose a prepaid cell phone service that matches your needs. Different carriers offer varying packages for prepaid cell phone service.  Find one that best complements your lifestyle.  Read online reviews so you can have better idea on which carriers provide the best service.  Compare not only the rates per call or text messaging but the quality of coverage as well.

Sponsored by:

Limit unnecessary calls. Most wireless carriers provide a few hours or minutes of calls each month that you can use for free.  However, once you’ve used it up, you will need to purchase more credit to be able to use your cell phone for new calls. Use this limit to your advantage.  Call only for important reasons and utilize your call minutes wisely.

Choose a combo package. If each one in your family needs a cellular phone, consider the prepaid family package offers.  Combo deals are great for families who need to contact each other every day.  Not only can you get a discounted rate for calls and texts, you may also be able to enjoy more airtime usage.

Be aware of your carrier’s restrictions. When acquiring a prepaid cell phone, reading the fine print is just as important.  You want to make sure that you know the exact rules of your carrier particularly when it comes to the expiration of your available credit.  Unused credit is certainly a waste of money.  When reloading credit, be conscious about the amount of your cell phone balance and the date that it will expire.  If you don’t need to make long conversations, then buy the smallest denomination of credit available.

Sponsored by:
Avoid the penalties. Prepaid phones often need to be reloaded on a regular basis.  Not purchasing any credit for a month or two can cause your account to be automatically deactivated.  As a penalty, your prepaid carrier may require you to pay a fee in order to reactivate your prepaid account.  Such fees can be avoided by being aware of the terms in your contract.

Take advantage of the free calls. Sometimes, calls made to the same network are not charged at all.  You can make the most out of this privilege by picking a network that many of your relatives or friends are already using.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst for Go-prepaid.com which has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free. If you are on a budget using prepaid debit cards,prepaid credit cards and prepaid cell phone service can save you big money!