Best Cell Phone Plans in Merrill, MI

Merrill, MI cell phone service coverage

Before signing up for cellphone service, people need to confirm that local coverage is available. The best provider may differ depending on where a person works, lives and shops in Merrill, MI. You can also benefit from finding out if service is offered in other areas that they frequently visit. A plan may cost relatively little, but it isn't worth the expense if 'no signal' errors frequently appear.

The good news is that major cellphone services generally provide thorough coverage in nearly all U.S. cities. Nonetheless, it makes sense to compare multiple companies' coverage areas and find out if they serve the entire region. This is a more important consideration for people who frequently travel to different parts of the United States. 'Dead zones' remain more widespread in small towns and rural areas.

Understanding the different types of cell phone plans

When searching for a cell phone plan in Merrill, MI, you're looking for one that gives you enough minutes, text messages and data to fit your needs. These features are broken down in plans by: minutes covered, text messages available and data limits.

Most people rely on cell phones for the majority, if not all, of their communication needs. You'll need to make sure the plan you choose has enough talk, text and data for you and anyone else you choose to carry on your plan.

Each cell phone plan has its own limitations, so deciding the most important features for you and your family is key to discovering the perfect plan. To help you out, here's a breakdown of the 3 main categories of cell phone plans:

Individual plans offer services for one line on one phone. All of the minutes, data and text available in the plan can only be used by that phone. If you don't want to add anyone else to your plan, then this could be a great choice.

Family plans spread out the data, minutes and text over several lines and phones. The number of lines and phones is up to you and some plans offer discounts for adding additional lines. If you want service for your entire family, these plans are the best deal because they are cheaper than buying individual plans for each person.

With no contract plans, you pay for service without the obligation of a contract. Often called pay-as-you-go, these plans offer the same features and benefits of individual and family plans, but often with additional fees. Most plans now allow you to use the same smart phones available for other plans, but at a higher price. Payments can be made each month and some carriers offer online or phone payments by credit card, bank account or prepaid cards that you can find in most Merrill, MI department stores.

The biggest advantage of the monthly plans is the absence of a contract. With family and individual plans you are bound by a contract that is typically no less than 2 years. This contract obligates you to pay for service through the end of the contract, and early termination comes with fees, penalties and extra charges.

Which cell phone plan should you choose?

During the process of selecting a plan, you'll need to consider the number of people who will be covered and what kinds of features they'll need to have. Most service providers divide these plan features into one of these three categories: minutes, texts, and data usage.

Inexpensive contract plans restrict the number of minutes and/or texts to around 400 or fewer. Unrestricted plans are more cost-efficient if you text or talk frequently throughout the day and can't abide any limitations. With prepaid plans, you usually fund your phone card with cash to purchase minutes, which are available per minute or in a bundle, like 500 minutes for 20 dollars. After you've used up your minutes, you must buy more.

How much data you use is an important consideration when selecting plans these days. Many Merrill, MI providers charge a lot for heavy data usage, and there aren't many unlimited wireless data packages on the market. Plans are usually charged according to MB and GB usage. Sometimes, exceeding your data capacity can result in costly penalty fees. To avoid these unwanted charges, choose a data package that can handle the amount of data you use.

Choosing a plan and features: what to keep in mind

So, you know the type of plan you need and you're impressed with the coverage at all four major carriers. Now what? The last step in choosing the best cell phone plan in Merrill, MI, is to actually find the right mix of price and features. Thanks to relatively uniform coverage across all four major carriers, this process is easier in Merrill, MI than it is in many other parts of the country. Here's what to know, based on popular types of plans:

Unlimited Data: Sprint and T-Mobile offer no-strings-attached unlimited data plans to all, which also include unlimited talking and texting. AT&T offers unlimited data to Internet or DIRECTV subscribers. Verizon doesn't offer unlimited data at all.

Unlimited Talk and Text: All four carriers have shifted to unlimited talk and text across all plans, except for one prepaid plan at T-Mobile.

Sharing Data: If you want to share data between family members, Sprint, Verizon and AT&T are the right fit. T-Mobile's limited data plans give each line its own data allotment.

International Coverage: Heading to overseas? Only T-Mobile offers free 'roam like home' talk, text, and LTE coverage in all of Mexico and Canada. Data at 2G speeds is also free on Sprint and T-Mobile around the world.