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2torial #0410:
Learn2 Shop for a
Wireless Phone
 Who says talk is cheap?
It's hard to believe the human race has survived
as long as it has without the benefit of wireless
(a.k.a. cellular) phones. What did people do before
they could order take-out while stuck in traffic,
make a conference call as they stood in
line at the post office, or call in sick from a
comfortable, seaside lounge chair?
While the benefits are myriad, so unfortunately
are the decisions you face when purchasing a phone
and calling plan. Should you go with the simple,
single-rate plan? Or the one that gives you a free
phone? Is digital wireless more dependable, or will
you benefit most from a traditional analog system?
We'll help you answer these questions and more as
we take you through the process of shopping for a
wireless phone.
While traditional phones transport data by
copper wire, wireless phones rely on radio waves.
Of course, a small, handheld phone cannot produce a
powerful signal, so wireless phones are dependent
on clusters of antennae, each of which serves a
small area. Together, the antennae resemble the
cells that make up a living organism (hence the
name "cellular"). As you move from one "cell" to
another, a computer automatically connects you to
the next antenna. As the wireless industry matures,
the network of antennae is expands and
improves, meaning more reliable service for
customers.
 Choose the right system
Not all wireless phones are created equal. In
fact, phones operate on three distinct systems,
each with its own set of advantages and
disadvantages. Before proceeding any further,
decide which system best fits your needs.
 Analog: As the oldest wireless
system, analog is also the best established, with
service covering some 95 percent of the United
States. If you need to use your phone in remote
corners of the planet, the analog system may be for
you. In addition, the phones themselves are less
expensive than digital and PCS phones. But the
analog system has one big drawback: per-minute
rates are much higher. this is not ideal if you plan to log
a lot of time on the system.
Digital cellular: Digital wireless phones
have a number of advantages over their analog
counterparts. First, connections, once established,
tend to be clearer and stronger. Second, per-minute
charges are lower. And finally, digital phones
require less energy, so phone batteries last
longer.
But the digital system does have disadvantages.
First, the reach of digital phones is not as wide
as analog phones. They're generally fine for large-
and medium-sized cities, but not for rural areas.
In addition, the digital network is actually made
up of several different systems, some of which can
be incompatible. That means service can be spotty
at times, even in a big city. Finally, digital
phones can cost upwards of $100 (U.S.) more than analog
phones.
Despite the drawbacks, digital wireless phones
are a good choice for business people or anyone who
logs a lot of time on the phone. And unless you
travel to fairly remote places, you won't
experience much interruption in service.
PCS: Entirely digital, the Personal
Communications Service (PCS) system has the same
advantages and disadvantages of the digital
cellular system, even though it operates on a
higher frequency and with a different network
system. Advantages include: lower per-minute costs;
one free minute on incoming calls; clear
connections; and longer battery life. On the
downside, the PCS system is connected to only about
70 percent of American households, whereas the
analog system reaches some 90 percent.
 Calculate the airtime you'll
need
Most wireless phone plans require you to
purchase a minimum amount of airtime each month.
Airtime refers to the number of minutes you spend
on the phone, including both calls that you
initiate and calls that you receive. If you don't
use all the minutes on your plan, you're wasting
money. If you exceed your pre-paid minutes, you'll
pay a higher rate for the additional time--sometimes
a much higher rate. Again, you'll waste money.
That means you'll have to calculate how much
you're going to use your wireless phone, even if
you've never had one before. First of all,
calculate how many calls you expect to make per
week (X), then how many you expect to receive (Y),
then add them together. Multiply this number by
2.5--the average time in minutes of a wireless
call--and you'll have your per-week air time: 2.5
times (X+Y). Now multiply this figure by 4.3--the
average number of weeks in a month--and you'll have
a good estimate of the airtime you'll require.
 Know when and where you're going to use
it
Are you going to use your phone on the weekends and evenings, just
to stay in touch with the office? Or will you need it during regular
business hours, so you can bug your mate at work while you're looking
for parking? Do you travel frequently? Will you use your phone when
you're across the country?
Wireless service plans are notoriously
complicated. Many offer discounts for weekends and
evenings, but only at the cost of higher rates
during the week. You may incur long-distance
charges if you use your phone outside your normal
calling area. Then again, you may not.
To avoid all the confusion, many people select
the simplified plans that are now becoming popular.
They allow you to call at a single rate, no matter
where you are or when you call. Sounds good, but
you might be able to get an even better deal if you
can accurately predict how you'll use your phone.
 Choose a calling plan
 Now that you know when, where and how
much you're going to use your phone, you're ready
to sign up for a plan. To get the best deals, you
need to commit to a contract that lasts anywhere
between three months and three years, so you need
to think carefully before signing on. Consider the
following:
Flexibility: If you're a first-time
wireless customer and unsure exactly how you'll be
using your phone, it's essential that your contract
allows you to switch calling plans before the
contract ends. Otherwise you may end up buying air
time you never use, or conversely, you could end up
paying exorbitant rates for time you didn't expect
to use.
Free roaming/long-distance plans: If your
lifestyle keeps you on the move, you may want to
consider a plan with no-roaming and/or
no-long-distance options. Let's say you live in San
Francisco and you travel to New York with your
phone. If you want to place a local call in New
York, you could end up paying long-distance charges
with a regular plan because your call technically
originates in San Francisco. This is called a
"roaming" charge, since you've roamed outside your
local area. And if you call New York from back in
San Francisco, a traditional wireless plan will
also levy a long distance charge. No-roaming,
no-long-distance plans cost more per minute, but
may end up saving you money since you can call to
and from any domestic locations at a standard rate.
Off-peak vs. peak minutes: While many
providers offer a single rate no matter when you
call, you may benefit from a plan that
differentiates between peak and off-peak minutes.
If you use your phone a lot during the evening and
weekends, take advantage of a dual-rate plan with a
lower off-peak rate.
Contract vs. prepaid: With most plans,
you commit to buy a certain amount of air time
every month over the course of months or even
years. But there's also the prepaid option, which
allows you to buy, say, 200 minutes, which
you can use at any time (within limits). Prepaid
plans give you more flexibility since you don't
have to use up all your minutes within a single
month. On the other hand, per-minute charges are
higher.
Dual-mode plans: It's increasingly
possible to get phones and phone plans that allow
you access to both digital and analog networks. The
phone itself may be more expensive, but you could
end up saving money--you can take advantage of
lower digital rates and still tap into the larger
analog network when necessary.
Termination fees: Be sure you know how
much you'll have to pay if you decide to get out of
a contract early. Some providers charge $100 or
more. Most plans will allow you to cancel service
without a termination fee if you do so within the
first month, so act quickly if you're unhappy.
When you've narrowed down your choices,
calculate the total cost of the varying phones and
phone plans over the course of an entire year,
rather than over a single month. You might find
that a plan with short-term bonuses (like a free
phone) could end up costing you more in the long
run.
 Choose a phone
 Now that you've chosen a plan, you're
ready to buy a phone. Your provider may offer a
phone at a highly subsidized rate, or even for
free. Take advantage of such a deal if you can. But
beware: not all phones are alike. For unbiased
information, go to an electronics store that
carries many different brands and ask a lot of
questions. Keep these features in mind:
Signal strength: Phones vary in the
strength of the signal they produce, and some can
establish and maintain contact better than others.
Likewise, some are better at filtering out
interference. Be sure to ask about these qualities.
Battery life: Long battery life is a big
plus. In general, the less expensive the phone, the
faster it'll eat power. Some phones can be left on
for 30 hours or more; some won't last more than
eight.
Size and weight: If you're really going
to use your wireless phone, you're going to have to
lug it wherever you go, so you'll probably want a
relatively small model. Then again, smaller,
lighter phones are more expensive.
Dual-mode: Even if you sign up for
all-digital or all-analog phone service, you might
want to consider a dual-mode phone so that you'll
have flexibility in the future should you change
plans.
Extra features: Extra features can
include everything from speed-dialing to call
timers, from a battery-strength indicator to a
"roaming light" that indicates if you've left your
local calling area.
 Read your monthly bill
Be sure to read your wireless bill every month,
especially during the first few months of service.
Because calling plans can be so complicated, make
sure you know exactly where your money is going.
Some things to watch out for include:
- Services you pay for but don't take
advantage of
- Extra costs, such as peak-time surcharges
and extra-minute charges
- Air time you're paying for but never use
And remember--wireless phone are supposed to
make life more convenient, not more complicated. If
you spend some time figuring out your needs and
researching your options, you'll end up saving time
and money down the wireless road.
-end-
Learn More!
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