6 Things To Look For When Choosing A Cell Phone Plan

If you don’t really know what you’re looking for, then every cellular provider might seem good. It’s easy to find a cheap provider or one that offers a lot of data, but how do you find a really good provider that gives you everything that you need? You need to know what to look for. It’s not too difficult, but don’t fall in love with the first provider that you see.

Basic Services
Every provider offers three basic services: minutes, data and text messages. While many people still have feature phones that don’t need a data plan, the majority of devices are smartphones that require all three services.

How much are you getting? Are you getting enough for your basic needs, or will you have to upgrade to a premium plan? You should also check the price to ensure that you aren’t getting ripped off. Some providers charge much more for data than others, so shop around.

While these are the basic services, they are very important because you will be mainly using your phone to send messages, browse the Internet and call people. If the provider doesn’t give you enough resources, or if the prices are just too high, then find someone else.

Tethering Charges
Manydevicnoes function as mobile hotspots that can power your laptop and other devices at the expense of your data plan. This can be very beneficial, but you have to consider the price. Some carriers offer tethering for free, but others can charge between $10 and $40 a month without giving you additional data.

Signal Strength
How is the carrier’s signal strength in your area? Most national brands claim to have total coverage, but this is far from the truth. Not only that, but most people will stay in one general area, so it’s best to find a carrier that really supports your area. There’s no reason to buy a mobile phone if you can’t even call people with it.

The majority of providers will show you a map of their coverage area. Make sure that your area is well canvassed before considering the carrier.

Contract
This has recently become a hot topic. Do you want a carrier that forces you to sign a contract? Most carriers offer you a free or discounted device in exchange for a two-year contract. No-contract providers will give you service at a lower rate, but you have to supply the device.

Contract-based providers tend to have somewhat better service, but you’ll be paying more and the level of service isn’t that much better. No-contract providers are typically half the price, but you must buy an unlocked device. This can mean a high initial investment if you want an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device.

Phone Selection
If you choose a contract-based provider, then check the provider’s phone selection. For example, many providers can’t support iPhone. Android devices are very common, but be sure that they meet your needs. A good carrier will have a number of modern phones to choose from.

Most no-contract providers sell phones, but what’s more important is ensuring that your device is supported. Some providers are still having a hard time getting used to 4G speeds, and certain Android or iOS smartphones may not be supported.

Overages
How are overages handled? Some carriers will cut your service once you go over the limit with data or text messages, but this has become very uncommon. Most will just charge you an extra fee that is much higher than the normal service fee. For example, you might be charged $10 to $20 per GB of extra data.

If you have an unlimited plan, then you still have to worry about overages. Most carriers have soft limits. For example, you’ll get unlimited data, but only the first 2GB will be at 4G speeds. Check the limits to see if the unlimited plan really supports your needs.

Conclusion
Choosing the right provider largely depends on the basic services and coverage area, but you also need to consider other factors such as overages, supported devices and contracts. Just remember that you might be stuck with your decision for the next few years unless you choose a no contract cell phone plan.