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How
to choose a Cell Phone and Wireless Plan Guide
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Cell
Phone and Wireless Plan FAQs
How
to choose a cell phone and plan
What is my home coverage
area?
This is the region where your provider has set up a network, or
has agreements with other carriers to carry your calls. Check
the coverage map associated with your plan for a visual representation
of your home coverage area. If you do not have a plan that includes
free roaming and free long distance, you will be charged additional
fees for calls made outside of this area.
What are the differences
between analog and digital phones?
Analog phones operate by sending and receiving signals in a
continuous sound wave; digital phones send and receive messages
by converting sounds and voices into numeric code. Analog phones
generally are less expensive than digital phones, but the service
is usually more costly. Analog phones have shorter talk and
standby time than digital phones. Analog phones offer more complete
coverage in rural areas. Digital phones offer better voice quality.
Digital phones have a longer battery life. Many digital phones
also work on analog networks.
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What is the difference
between PCS and cellular?
Phones that operate on a PCS system (personal communications
service) use digital technology and offer advanced features
like caller ID. Cellular phones use either digital or analog
technology, or both.
What is 3rd Generation?
The 3rd Generation (3G) mobile devices and services are the
next wave. 3G will provide the capacity for online, real-time
transfer of information, regardless of time and place. For
example, you will be able to send images or participate in
live video conferencing by using your 3G mobile communications
device.
What is a dual-band
phone?
A dual-band phone is a PCS phone that can operate on analog
cellular networks when it is out of range of PCS network antennas.
What battery has the
longest life, NiMH or Li-Ion?
Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries tend to offer the longest talk
times and standby times in a lightweight package-and tend
to be the most expensive. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries
are the reliable standard that offer average talk times (2
to 5 hours) and standby times (24 to 48 hours).
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What is the difference
between talk time and standby time?
Talk time is the amount of time you spend conversing on your
wireless phone, either making outgoing calls or receiving
incoming calls. Standby time is the amount of time that you
have your phone on, but are not actually talking on it. You
do not have three hours of talk time and thirty hours of standby
time on one battery; you have either three hours maximum to
talk or thirty hours maximum to be on standby.
Why is the quality of
my wireless service sometimes inconsistent?
Your service quality may vary from time to time based on a number
of factors including, but not limited to, the weather, your distance
from a tower, and large obstacles (such as buildings) causing
service interference.
Which wireless carrier
has the best signal strength?
It depends. As we mentioned earlier, the quality of your service
will depend a great deal on where you live, work, and play. Your
best resources on this question are your friends and family. They
can tell you first hand what their experience with a network in
your area has been.
What is roaming?
When you use your phone outside of your local calling area (as
defined by your wireless carrier), you are roaming on another
wireless carrier's network. Airtime minutes used when roaming
are generally not part of your basic calling plan. Check your
wireless carrier's plan details and coverage maps to determine
when you are roaming, and how you are charged for these calls.
Most wireless carriers also send an indicator to your screen display
to tell you when you are roaming.
If it is called a nationwide
plan, then why are there roaming charges?
Nationwide plans tend to have no roaming charges if you are in
your wireless carrier's network area. If you wander over to another
wireless carrier's network, then you may have roaming charges.
Although many of the nationwide wireless carriers have extensive
physical networks built, they don't have every square inch of
the United States covered. So you could have a nationwide plan
based in New York City, and when you travel to Dallas, San Francisco,
and Des Moines, you may have no roaming charges. Then when you
take a day trip to rural Pennsylvania, you wind up with roaming
charges. It's not how far away you go, but exactly where you go.
What plans do not charge
for roaming?
Find the plan that covers the areas in which you travel and you
will be all set. If you are trying to find a plan that has absolutely
no roaming charges ever, then look for a service plan that will
work with phones that can work on digital and analog networks,
and which states that there are no roaming fees on any network.
What
do peak and off-peak hours indicate?
Peak hours refer to the hours of highest wireless phone usage.
Typically, peak minutes are billed at a service plan's highest
rate. Conversely, off-peak hours refer to the hours of the
lowest wireless phone usage, and are billed at lower rates.
Peak and off-peak times vary significantly by wireless carrier.
Check the details to know for sure. Peak hours typically are
between the hours of 7 AM and 9 PM, Monday through Friday.
Off-peak hours include the weekends, some holidays, and typically
the hours from 9 PM to 7 AM during the week.
How do service providers
count anytime minutes versus evening and weekend minutes?
If you call during peak times, you will be using your anytime
minutes. If you call during off-peak times, you will be using
your evening and weekend minutes. If you call during peak times
and talk straight through to off-peak times, the minutes you talk
during peak time are counted toward your anytime minutes and the
minutes you talk during off-peak time automatically switch over
to your evening and weekend minutes.
Do I get charged when
people call me?
Yes. You are billed for the amount of airtime minutes that you
use, regardless if the call is incoming or outgoing. However,
some service providers have a feature that offers a free first
minute of incoming calls.
Does it use up my minutes
when I call other wireless phones?
Sometimes. Some service providers also offer a mobile-to-mobile
feature for a monthly fee. This nice benefit allows you free local
calls to other users of your service provider's wireless phone
service. If you call a wireless phone on another network, you
will be charged the same number of minutes as if you called a
regular phone number.
When I call my voice
mail am I using my minutes?
It depends on the wireless carrier and the plan. When you call
to retrieve your voice mail messages, you may be charged airtime
minutes. You will need to read the fine print or call customer
service to verify this on a carrier-by-carrier and plan-by-plan
basis.
What is considered a
long distance call?
A wireless call is considered to be long distance if it is placed
to a number outside of your local calling area (which is defined
by your service provider). Make sure you're familiar with the
boundaries of your service provider's coverage map and local calling
area. A good way to save money making international and long distance
calls is to use Calling Cards. Click
here to check out an extensive array
of prepaid calling cards.
Are toll free number
calls free?
No. You will not be charged a long distance charge to call a toll
free number; however you will be charged airtime for the minutes
you are using your phone to call the toll free number.
What is the farthest
I can call from my wireless phone?
You can call any phone number around the world with some wireless
carriers, but many restrict international calling. Read the details
of the service plan to see if international calling is allowed
at all or if there is an extra monthly fee to allow it.
Can all cellular phones
be used worldwide?
No. To be able to place a call while you are outside the United
States, you must have a wireless phone that is designed for use
on the network in the country where you will be traveling. Most
countries have some form of wireless phone service, but the phone
that you use in a country must be compatible with the prevalent
technology in that country. For example, GSM (Global System for
Mobile Communication) is most commonly used in Europe, and some
phones sold in the United States can work on the European network.
Can I get a new phone
for my current service plan?
If you would like to upgrade to a new phone (and keep your current
service plan),
Click Here to save on cell phones at LetsTalk.com( enter your
zip code to searchcell phones then below the top menu bar check
-Phone Only ), a Hello Mobile Premier Partner.
Can I keep my current
wireless phone and get a new plan?
This depends. Each phone is manufactured to work using
a specific technology. Check the type of technology employed
by your phone (CDMA, TDMA, etc.), and then check what providers
in your area operate on that technology. You can generally change
your plan and keep your current provider, but switching to an
entirely new provider usually means that you'll have to buy
a new phone as well. See
WLNP(Wireless Local Number Portability) FAQs
Can I upgrade my phone
and plan?
Getting a new cell phone plan from your current carrier is as
easy as calling them directly. Keep in mind that not all
advertised promotions will apply, although the upside is that
you will get to keep your phone number.
If you would like to upgrade to a new phone (and keep your current
service plan), click here to see
what phones are available to purchase without a service plan
through HelloMobile.
If you are ready to switch carriers and change your
phone number, you can take advantage of all the great deals
you see here.
Where can I get a copy
of a manufacturer mail-in rebate form?
You have several options:
- Rebate
forms are viewed in PDF Format. You will need Adobeİ
Acrobatİ Reader to view and print PDF files. Click here
to download a free copy.
- Go
to the service provider/carrier or product manufacturer's
web site to get a copy of the form online.
- Call
your service provider/carrier or product manufacturer's customer
service number and request one be mailed to you.
PLEASE
NOTE: Some manufacturers require a copy of your sales receipt
or your customer service agreement in order to receive your rebate
check. Since you bought your phone online, a copy of the
shipping statement is an acceptable substitution.
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