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Prepaid Wireless Links
This report covers only prepaid wireless. Regular cell phone plans require a one- or two-year contract, but they are cheaper in the long run if you make more than 300 minutes of calls per month. See our companion report on
Smartphones (which combine PDA functionality and web services with a phone and sometimes multimedia features) are popular, but be aware that you'll need a more expensive service package to send data over your phone or to surf the web. Most unlimited data and voice plans can easily cost $80 or more per month. High-speed wireless Internet services like Verizon's EVDO network can reach Internet speeds faster than broadband, but they are expensive. We have a separate ConsumerSearch report on
Your choice of phone depends on which provider you choose. Once you've chosen a carrier and your phone choice has thus been narrowed, CNet.com is a good resource for individual phone reviews. Consumer Reports also has a comprehensive report on cellular phones, but you have to be a subscriber to read the report.
If you are interested in cell phone technology and how mobile phone services work, an excellent place to start is How Stuff Works. Editors have compiled a lengthy article that explains how cellphones evolved, how GSM networks differ from CDMA systems, and many other essentials.
"Essential Things to Know: Cell Phone Technologies," from First Glimpse Magazine, also covers network technologies, including EVDO and EDGE, in a convenient Q & A format.
PC Today also has several informative, easy-to-understand articles on cell phone technology. "The Path to 4G" offers a history of cellular systems and a mini-dictionary of cellular terms and acronyms.
Another article called "Wireless Today: What's Here & What's Right Around the Corner" lists the types of networks and speed rates of different carriers.
For updates on the latest cell phone technology and plans, The New York Times publishes "Phone Smart," a column by Bob Tedeschi, twice a month. (Note: The New York Times Company owns ConsumerSearch.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Mobile Phone Blog is also a useful site for staying abreast of emerging products and services.
About.com's wireless usage quiz is handy if you're trying to figure out what type of prepaid plan works for your calling habits.
Ehow.com offers the guide "How to Buy a Prepaid Cell Phone Plan," which describes how plans work and lets you compare top plans from providers like Virgin and T-Mobile.
Suite101.com has a good overview titled "Choosing a Pay as You Go Cell Phone Plan: How to Decide Which Pre-Paid Plan is Best." It covers things you need to consider, like cell phone coverage area, usage, networks, messaging fees and cell phone features.
You can get detailed pricing and coverage information on the website of each wireless service provider. It's a good idea to check with carriers, because terms and rates change constantly.
