"A Guide to the Maze of Pre-Paid Cell Phones"
In my humble opinion and being a pre-paid customer my self for about 10 years, I have it is really best and more economical, to go with one of the major carriers. The reason I say this is the best way for a pre-paid plan to really ding you for extra money is by roaming charges. We all know how the prices can vary vastly from one zone to another. I am of the opinion, and let me stress this is only my logic at work, that the majors have more cell tower sites that they own so the roaming on a major while traveling, appears to be not as erratic and therefore usually less expensive, to the end user.
So I have decided to limit my investigation to the majors. While I am sure there could be flaws in my calculations, I am working on the assumption that most people using pre-paid phone do it to save money. What I like about my plan, and no I'm not going to reveal which carrier I am with, is that if I make no calls that day or nobody calls me, I am charged nothing against my minutes I pre-pay. Most of the large carries, if not all offer the same option, though we will find out in our comparisons to follow.
Text messaging is becoming more popular than acctually dialing a number and talking, which by the way to another AT&T cell would cost you nothing, however there are additional charges that eat away your pre-paid minutes. Text and Instant Messaging* When you can't talk, exchanging text messages is a quick and simple way to communicate. Just type your message with your wireless device keypad and send. Plus, enjoy instant messaging with the most popular IM communities. 0.15 per message sent/received.
You can also expect charges for accessing the internet, downloading songs and other media applications. These vary from carrier to carrier but pretty much seem to be about in line with each other.
A simple search to Verisions web site shows 3 different Pre-Paid Plans available.
In Calling, Night Minutes, Weekend Minutes and Per-Minute Rate are for use from within the INpulse Rate and Coverage Area. Daily Access will be charged and deducted from your account only on days you make or receive calls and is valid until 11:59 p.m. Daily Access of $0.99, $1.99 or $2.99, calls rated at per minute rate and other charges for available services on your INpulse plan may deplete balance prior to its expiration. You will not be able to make voice calls if you do not have the amount required for your daily access. Your account balance will expire at 12:01 a.m. on the day stated at the time of replenishment. To carry your balance forward, simply refill your account before your expiration date. If balance expires, unused portion will be forfeited. Verizon Wireless will suspend your service when your account reaches $0 or your account reaches the expiration date. Unlimited IN Calling, Night Minutes and Weekend Minutes are not available when your account has been suspended. Limit of 2 calling plan changes in a 30-day period.
After a quick glimplse ate other major carriers they are all pretty much in line as far as pricing for pre-paid services go. The one thing you need to know is that unlike having a calling plan contract, where some phones are given free, with Pre-Paid plans you always have to buy a phone. You see a lot of cheap phones, the lateset and greatest in technology, for deep discounts with standard contract plans. You will always have to buy a phone that is never as good a deal as you find with contract plans. If you want a phone with the bells and whistles you are going to pay, and I mean high retail for that phone. Good deal though can be found for very basic phones and you can really get some nice phones with good features with out taking out a second mortgage on the home.
It has been my experience that coverage area is about the only thing that you really need to do your home work on before choosing a plan and carrier. Now if you live in a metropolitian area this becomes easier, simply because the major carriers tend to own multiple towers in and around that will prevent or at least greatly reduce roaming charges.
Now if you are like myself and others in my situation the tower coverage become an issue that could wind up costing you un-antisipated roaming fees. I am talking about people living in rural communities not close to large cities. As an example where I live at the lake 35 miles from each of the nearest towns, we only have one carrier that owns a couple of towers that will get a signal. Another bothersome problem we have to deal with is dead spots and dropped calls as we drive the rural highways.
Some companies like the one who owns the towers at the lake where I live do not allow other carriers access to even roam on the towers, ththerefore if you are with another carrier in some areas you can't get any type of signal unless you drive about 25 miles on the roads towaed town before you can get a signal on any tower, and then you stand a good chance of being in a roaming area.
The best advice I can give after all my research is look for who covers your area the best, giving the lowest possibility if roaming, hopefully there is more than one option where you live. After that find the plan that fits with what you are going to use your phone for and go with them. As always though my advise does include you doing your due dilligence and really looking at your options. It is the best way still to save a penny here or a dollar there. In today's econimc woes everywhere you can save has to help with the mothly buget we have been forced to pay closer attention to in recent months.