Prepaid Wireless Phone Services: Are they for You?
Today, one in five cell phone users are using a prepaid cell plan. For the first time ever the number of new prepaid subscribers has surpassed new contract customers. A major catalyst for this trend is that today’s consumer is aggressively looking for ways to save. As more people are carefully studying their spending habits and adhering to budgets, they are realizing that they are not using their cell phones enough to justify the cost of a contract cell plan. Are you considering jumping on the prepaid bandwagon? Let’s take a look at whether prepaid wireless phone services are right for you.
Wireless Minutes
If your current cell plan provides more than enough airtime for your needs and you are regularly paying for minutes that you never use, consider switching to a prepaid mobile plan. Take a look at your current cell phone bill and see how many minutes you are using each month. More importantly, make note of the minutes you are paying for but are not using. Look at your contract termination date and make note of any charges that may apply if you terminate your existing contract early. These fees can be significant and should be included in your analysis.
Best Prepaid Cellular Plans
The major wireless carriers, including AT&T and T-Mobile provide prepaid wireless services. There are also smaller providers such as Tracfone, Net10 Prepaid, Vodafone Mobile Phones, etc. If a basic prepaid plan does not offer enough airtime for you; research the growing number of features offered with prepaid plans, including unlimited: nights and weekends, text, data, and network calling. Note that taxes and fees are included in the prepaid rates and you will not be subject to overage charges.
Roaming Charges
As good as the prepaid mobile plan may appear, make sure to study the provider’s wireless coverage maps. Your cell plan may be advertised as not having “roaming charges” when in reality it doesn’t have any “roaming” at all. If this is case, make sure these limitations are acceptable to you.
Nice Cell Phones
Gone are the days when the only prepaid phone you could get was the most basic, low- end device available. Today’s prepaid wireless cell phones have many more features than they did in the past. You still won’t find smart phones as a prepaid offering but you won’t be limited to phones that look like toys (and have about the same number of features). Many of the prepaid phones have advanced features such as web browsing, media players, Bluetooth, camera, etc. It is quite hard to tell the difference between prepaid mobile phones and contract phones.
No Credit Check Cell Phone Service
Has your credit score taken a (hopefully temporary) dive due to recent financial difficulties? As it has always been, prepaid wireless phone services do not require a credit check. Obtaining a prepaid cell phone is instantaneous.
