Choosing Your Service Provider TIPS

o No matter how good your wireless phone is, your satisfaction depends on how good your service provider is. Ask people currently with the service provider you're considering--people who walk the same sidewalks and travel the same roads as you do--about their experiences and satisfaction with the carrier. Do this before you sign on any dotted line!

o Your choice of carrier should also depend on where you travel or spend most of your time because each service provider has stronger signals in certain areas. Ask for a the carrier's coverage map.

o The times of day and days of the week that you use your phone are important variables in choosing a service provider. If you're going to use the phone primarily for business, you would want to focus on Monday - Friday daytime deals. Look for service providers that offer one rate for anytime you call--including peak daytime hours.

o Most areas will be served by a minimum of three cellular carriers. Currently Verizon, Cingular, and AT&T Wireless account for more than 60% of cellular service in the USA. Smaller players include NextTel, VoiceStream, and MCI Wireless. Most use one of three digital technologies, often with analog calling as a backup. Among the major national providers, only Nextel and T-Mobile are all-digital, with no analog capability.

o Rates and plans are fairly competitive these days among the big wireless service providers, which makes good service a distinguishing factor, and sometimes the deciding factor. Ask friends and colleagues how responsive their carrier is when they have billing or technical problems. Poor phone and customer service are the leading reasons cell phone users want to switch providers, but switching can be costly and inconvenient, so choose your carrier with care.

o Most carriers offer at least two weeks for a "test drive" before a stiff early-termination fee kicks in. Take advantage of this trial period, and cancel the contract if performance falls below your expectations during this time.

o Many wireless service providers will give you a free cell phone if you sign up with them. Although this phone probably won't have the bells and whistle-type features of high-end models, it will certainly get you connected and talking! Just understand what's behind the "free" offer. You may have to buy the phone first, then claim a mail-in rebate equivalent to the purchase price and wait for reimbursement. You may still have to pay activation charges, and free cell phone offers will often require that you sign up with a wireless service provider for a longer contract term, usually two years.

o Don't be influenced by a "free" or cheap phone deal if it ties you to an expensive service provider for years to come. Read all the contract's fine print and hidden clauses before signing. Watch out for things like a long minimum contract period, short off-peak hours, a contract that only allows you to terminate on the anniversary date of signing, and extra charges for itemized billing.

Wireless Phones

Check out today's most popular wireless phones to figure out your technical and esthetic preferences. Learn how to spruce up your cellular investment with the latest Wireless Phone Accessories. Get practical tips on choosing a wireless phone plan to fit your needs because the more knowledge you have, the more satisfied you'll be with your purchase, and with the service you receive in return for your hard-earned money. Here you can even explore wireless phone information beyond price and brand names. Find out about Wireless Phone History and the latest news on health risks from Wireless Phone Radiation.