Cell
Phone or Wireless Plans FCC Facts
Fiction
"All
Toll Free Phone Calls Are Free"
Because you use "air time" to call a toll free number
from your cell phone, a fee is charged, and more than one may
apply. Read your contract or check with your provider before making
that toll free call.
"Plan
Changes Are Impossible"
Cell phone plans have numerous options, and many companies are
willing to make changes from one plan to another free of charge
during the length of the contract. Ask your provider if there
is a penalty or cancellation fee before requesting a change.
"Every
Provider Has the Same Off-peak and Weekend Hours"
Many cell phone providers offer unlimited off-peak and weekend
calling hours as part of, or with, the purchase of their standard
service plan. Be sure to ask for a definition of off-peak and
weekend hours. Times can vary among providers.
"All
Cell Phones Can Be Used Worldwide"
Most developed and developing countries have some form of wireless
telephone service. The digital networks used to provide this service
can differ from country to country, with GSM (Global System for
Mobiles) being the one commonly available in Europe. To be able
to place a call while you are outside the United States, you must
have a digital cell phone that is designed for use on the network
in the country where you will be traveling.
Choosing a
cellular package can be overwhelming. Here are some questions
to ask yourself about frequency of use and your other needs to
determine the best plan for you before going shopping.
Calling Options
- At what
time of day will I be making most of my calls?
- On average,
how long do I expect each call to last?
- How selective
will I be in giving out my cell phone number?
(Remember: you’re paying for calls you receive as well as those
you make.)
- Will I
use my cell phone for long distance calls?
- How often
do I expect to travel outside my home calling area?
Phone Requirements
- Will my
phone need a clip so I can attach it to a piece of clothing?
- Do I need
a flip phone (one that has a cover you flip-up to access the
phone) to guard against it inadvertently being turned on?
- Does my
phone need to be designed for use in other countries?
Providers
- Where
do I go to see who provides coverage in my area?
Check out
Type of
Service
Do I want analog cellular, digital cellular or PCS service?
Compare the columns below to find the one most suited
for you.
| CATEGORY |
ANALOG
CELLULAR |
DIGITAL
CELLULAR |
PCS |
| Frequency |
800
MHz |
800
MHz |
1900
MHz |
| Call
Quality |
Can
be poor |
Very
clear |
Very
clear |
|
Coverage
Nationwide Network
Rural Area Access |
Complete
Poor |
Build-out
in progress
Poor |
Build-out in progress
Poor, may take a few years to improve |
| Security |
Can
be intercepted |
More
secure |
More
secure |
|
Cost
Phones
Air Time |
Inexpensive
More than digital |
Expensive
Less than analog |
Expensive
Less than analog |
| Features |
Call
waiting,
call forwarding |
Call
waiting, call forwarding, caller ID, voicemail, text, messaging,
numeric paging, internet access |
Call
waiting, call forwarding, caller ID, voicemail, text, messaging,
numeric paging, internet access |
Battery Life
Talk Time
On, Not
Talking |
1
1/2 -2 hours
24-40 hours |
2-10
hours
3-17 days |
2-10
hours
3-17 days |
| Disability
Access |
Generally
HAC & TTY compatible |
Generally
NOT HAC or TTY compatible |
Generally
NOT HAC or TTY compatible |
Cost Comparisons
|
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