Experts say you should consider the following when looking for wireless service:

  • Choose a service first, then choose a phone. Specific phones work with individual carriers' networks, so your choice of phones will be limited greatly by the carrier you choose. In the end, reviews say network functionality and customer service are bigger issues than whether or not your phone has 50 fancy ringtones. LetsTalk.com allows you to compare plans side by side to see features and prices. CellReception.com is another useful site for finding the carrier with the best coverage for your area.
  • Decide whether you want local, regional or national coverage. Although most carriers are now including long distance and roaming charges in their highest-profile plans, you can save some money with a local or regional plan if you will primarily be making and receiving calls within your area. Be sure to confirm whether roaming or long-distance charges apply to your plan.
  • Estimate the number of minutes you need. Although coverage charges can quickly mount if you go over your allotted minutes, consider starting with a cheaper plan -- but keep a careful watch on your usage. A cell phone service provider will be happy to let you upgrade to more minutes. If you already have a phone, you'll have a good idea how many minutes you'll need. Keep in mind that you will be using your minutes both on outgoing and incoming calls with most plans.
  • Check the coverage area. Carriers have coverage maps on their websites. Some carriers are better distributed than others in more rural or remote states such as Wyoming or West Virginia. That may further limit your choice of carrier. Several reviewers note that T-Mobile is accurate with its coverage maps. DeadCellZones.com is an independent site that links to many carriers and their coverage maps. The FCC has published a helpful primer on Understanding Wireless Telephone Coverage Areas.
  • Consider a prepaid plan. If you want a phone only for emergencies, or if you want to spend less than the $30 or $40 per month base price for a cell plan, a prepaid cell phone is a good option. See our separate report on prepaid wireless for more information.
  • Ask friends and neighbors. Do your own informal poll of people in your area. Those who live and work in your neighborhood can tell you how frequently they experience outages, busy networks or dropped calls. Once you gauge satisfaction, check carriers' websites for promotions, shop their retail stores and call them to see where you can get the best deal. Whatever you choose, be sure to take advantage of the trial periods offered by most cellular companies, including Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. They offer 30-day grace periods in which you can return a phone and not be charged an early termination fee, whereas T-Mobile has only a 20-day grace period. Or sign up for a company's shortest contract period (usually one year). Early termination fees can be very high ($150 to $200), although most carriers now prorate them based on usage.
  • Compare products and plans at a retail store or website. Some consumer electronics stores offer one-stop shopping. For instance, Best Buy Mobile has phones and plans from different carriers that allow you to compare products side by side. Store staff can help explain phone features and plan options, and because the staff is not commissioned by cellular carriers, they may provide more impartial and candid information. Amazon also sells phones, contracts and renewals from multiple carriers.
  • Increase your choices with an unlocked phone. Unlocked phones allow you to pick a phone that's not tied to a specific carrier and enables you to avoid committing to a contract. You'll have to pay for your phone up front, and you'll be fully responsible for any service repairs, but some experts say the trade-off in freedom of choice and international compatibility are worth it. Unlocked phones cost a lot more initially, however.
  • Weigh non-voice features. Features such as text messaging, picture messaging, Internet connectivity, games, music, etc., are usually not free and can quickly add up. If you start with a basic plan, carriers will let you add these services later. Or you can always get a plan that bundles together the features you want.
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