Cell Phone Plan Details

Choosing a Cell Phone Plan

Selecting a cell phone plan that is right for you is as important as choosing the right phone. Actually, from a financial standpoint selecting the right wireless plan may even be more critical: in the long run, you will spend a lot more on your plan than on your handset--especially if you bought a free cell phone or a discounted one.

Also, many cell phone plans involve a contract (generally two years), meaning that switching carriers or downgrading your plan before the expiration of the contract can involve a penalty. On the other hand, you can switch cell phones as often as you want as long as you remain within your cell phone plan.

Comparing Cell Phone Plans

Each major wireless carrier offers a choice of cell phone plans--ranging from individual to family plans and business plans. Just as it sometimes happens when comparing cell phone features, sifting through plan details may become a bit overwhelming: how many plan minutes do I get? at what time do evening and weekend minutes kick in? do I get free mobile to mobile calls? how much are overages?

Actually, comparing cell phone plans is pretty easy if you know which simple features to use as a yardstick to evaluate each one against your needs. And these features are rather consistent between most carriers.

Following is a list of these major cell phone plan features, grouped by type--basic, contract and service and special features. Different carriers may call them by different names, but the important thing is that you understand what they are and how they may or may not fit your needs.