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"Untangling" Cell Phones

And you thought computers were confusing! For anyone that has shopped for a new cell phone recently, the plethora of new features, plan types, and technology options can be overwhelming. While the cell number phone portability legislation may not have prevented you from upgrading your phone or changing carriers, it's passage and implementation is a convenient excuse to explore what's available. To help you through this maze we have compiled a list of questions you may find helpful before making your final decision.

Which carrier should I choose?

Selecting a carrier is a very subjective evaluation and a point of endless debate depending on where you live, travel, your cell phone usage, and type of phone you currently use. All of the major carriers have upgraded the majority of their networks to an all digital service which, with the proper equipment, should provide a higher level of service. That is not to say there are no dead spots, weak coverage areas or other issues that impact the quality of service. Before selecting a carrier, it still is advisable to ask colleagues about their experience with various carriers. If you travel extensively, you should also check the carrier websites to see if they provide coverage in your most frequented locales.

Does the carrier’s wireless technology matter?

There are three primary wireless digital technologies in the US – CDMA, GSM, and TDMA Enhanced. Both Sprint and Verizon networks are based on CDMA technology. AT&T and Cingular were originally TDMA but have been upgraded to GSM, and Nextel utilizes enhanced TDMA as its network technology.

While engineers can debate the technical merits of the various technologies, the number and location of cell phone towers/transmitters probably has more to do with the quality of service than anything else. For international travelers, GSM is the most pervasive technology in use throughout Europe and in many Asian countries. With the proper equipment, you can use the same phone when you travel outside the US by changing the “personality” chip in your phone and subscribing to a local carrier. If this becomes a requirement in your cell phone decision, make sure you do the proper research into equipment, carriers, and cost, and don't wait until the last minute to start the process.

Which plan type should you choose?

Again, it all depends on your usage! It is a good idea to look at previous bills to see your average minutes used and where most calls are initiated. Additionally, carriers have attractive family plans where the total minutes under the plan are shared by family members. The charges for exceeding the number of allotted minutes are rather steep ($0.25 to $0.45) so a careful review seems prudent. When you sign up for a plan, you should also check to see if you can temporarily increase your plan for the following month if you know you will be using your phone extensively for a brief period due to travel or other circumstances. Notice to your carrier of this temporary increase needs to happen in advance of your usage otherwise anything over your allotted minutes will be charged at the per call rate. In any event, it is worth talking to your carrier before hand to understand how you would invoke this service should the need arise.

Which phone should I choose?

Selecting a manufacturer and model of phone is a personal decision. Many of today’s high end phones include a camera, Internet access, text messaging, color display, and a variety of other options, all of which are intended to increase your monthly phone utilization. Do you really need all of these features? Before you decide, here is a brief summary of the pluses and minuses of the various options:

Camera – fun, but it won’t replace your digital camera. Aside from major advertising of the feature, it has been getting mixed reviews.
Internet access – limited by screen size, but it can be helpful when the website you are accessing has been specially designed for cell phone access. If you need extensive Internet access consider one of the high-end web-enabled phones.
Text Messaging – helpful, but limited by numeric keyboard and multi-type function. If text messaging and e-mail are important, consider a Blackberry, Treo, or other similar devices with a full keyboard.
Voice-activated dialing – very helpful particularly when driving. Not all models have this feature, so it is best to check.
Headset & Microphone – generally an optional accessory, even more helpful when driving, make sure you get a good quality and comfortable headset.
Push to Talk – once only available from Nextel, it allows you to connect another person using the same carrier with the Push to Talk feature. Many companies had opted for Nextel so their employees could be in contact without using up minutes. This feature is now available from all carriers.

Conclusion

To help complete your research into the multitude of options, a visit to the major carrier websites is probably in order – AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless. To comparison shop and get user feedback and comments, you may also find the following sites helpful – Let’s Talk or SmartPrice.com.

¹ Please note that the services and products mentioned in this article do not necessarily reflect KKL's recommendation of the products or services listed. This listing is done for informational purposes only.