CONSUMER ADVISORY
How to Choose a Cell Phone Plan
That Works Best for You
Are you shopping for cell phone
service for the first time, or considering a new plan? The basic approach is to determine your
calling needs, and then shop carefully.
Here are some basic tips for
choosing wireless phone service:
•
Study which kind of
service best fits your calling needs. There are local, regional, or national plans, family
plans for two or more phones, and pre-paid plans. Consider which plan is best for the time of day and number and
length of calls you will make. You pay
a hefty charge for minutes that exceed your plan, so study the details. Many plans offer far more minutes for “weekend”
or “night” calls, but “weekend” may not include Friday, and “night” may not
begin until 9 p.m.
•
Determine which
company provides the best service for you.
Ask to see a coverage map,
especially if you travel frequently.
Check your home calling area and where “roaming charges” apply. (Outside your home area, the phone may not
work, or you may incur costly roaming charges.) Ask if the company has a trial period (often 15-30 days), and
then check to be sure you get a good signal where you need it, such as at your
home or office, or places you visit often.
•
Check the length of
the contract -- and if there is a “break fee” should you want to cancel your
plan early. Most cell phone service plans run one or two
years and require you to pay a hefty $100-200 termination fee per phone
if you cancel your service before the end of the plan. Before you choose a plan, find out if you
can get out of the contract without paying a fee if it turns out you can’t make
calls from your home, office, or other place from which you plan to make calls.
•
Compare cell phone
manufacturer warranties. Most cell phone contracts don’t provide you
with a free cell phone if your initial cell phone is damaged or simply doesn’t
work. Consider an extended warranty and
how much it might cost.
•
Check for complaints
about providers. Call the Attorney General’s Office or the
Better Business Bureau, and ask your friends and neighbors about their
experience.
•
Go to for more tips and helpful links. (Click on “Protecting
Consumers” and then look for “Consumer Advisory” bulletins.)
To file a complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection
Division,
Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Call 515-281-5926 or 888-777-4590 (toll-free.) The web address is www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org
Consumer Protection Division Hoover Building Des Moines, Iowa 50319 515/281-5926