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Cell phone Q&A
By DAVE GUSSOW What's the best service?That depends on several factors, including where you live and how a survey was conducted. For example, AT&T Wireless got the top rating for customer satisfaction in the Tampa Bay area by J.D. Power and Associates. But the independent research company ranked only three carriers here -- AT&T Wireless, Verizon and Alltel. The survey sample for other carriers apparently was too small to include them in the results, according to a J.D. Power spokesman, so companies such as Sprint, Cingular, Voicestream and Nextel were not mentioned for this area. Overall, AT&T Wireless got the top rating in 13 markets, Verizon Wireless led in eight markets, and Sprint and Alltel in two each. Then how do I choose a service?First, decide what kind of calling plan you want. Do you make a lot of calls across the country or mostly in-state? When do you call? How long do you talk? Then talk to friends and relatives about what they use, what they like and what they don't. When you find a happy camper who matches or is close to your calling needs, you have something to explore. Invite them over or borrow their cell phone to make sure it works in your home or wherever you'll use the phone most frequently. How many minutes do I need?With thousands of minutes being offered in calling plans, it would seem to be an easy answer. But look at when you can use those minutes. Most of those thousands of minutes are for night and weekend use, when demand on the networks is light. The more important number is the "anytime" minutes that have no restrictions. In that case, choose what fits your budget and calling needs. Also make sure you check to see how the cell phone company defines night. The old land-line rule that rates go down at 5 p.m. doesn't apply to cell phones, where nighttime can begin anywhere from 6 to 9 p.m. If you're not careful, you can burn through your anytime minutes quickly and start piling up extra charges. Which came first: the cell phone or the plan?We all love our gadgets, but everyone -- cell phone companies and consumer advocates alike -- recommends choosing a calling plan and coverage area first, then a phone. Which phone is best?Nokia had eight of the top 10 selling phones last year, according to NPD Intelect, a market research company. However, the top-selling model, the Nokia 5165, had only 8.2 percent of the market. The best phone is one that has the functions you want at a price that fits your budget. What about a contract?While cell phone companies say they are becoming more flexible on contracts, you must read the fine print. First, you want to know how long the trial period lasts, when you can return the phone and cancel service with no penalty. In an ideal world, you probably want to start with the shortest commitment period possible, in case it turns out you don't like the service. Then dig into the fine print. Most companies have penalties for early cancellation, and you also need to see whether your rate is locked in for the duration of the contract or can be changed by the company. Surprises are not fun. Can I keep my phone if I switch companies?The phone is yours, but you can't use it with your new service, even if it's a model offered by the new company. The short answer is each company has its own technology for its network built into the handset. What about the number?If you change companies, you change numbers. Despite proposed legislation that would require making the numbers transferable, the industry says making that happen would require solving a bunch of technological problems. And switching to a new phone means you'll also have to re-enter the numbers you saved in your phone directory. Should I make my cell service my only carrier?Experts say it's a bad idea, even though more people are doing it. If power goes out and your battery is low, you're out of luck. And since we have to live with hurricane season, it's more important here to keep a traditional land line, according to David Heim, managing editor of Consumer Reports. "You should have one good old-fashioned phone with a plug in the wall," Heim said. "It's still the most dependable way to make a call." However, a cell phone can give you an incentive to cancel a second line and perhaps to cancel your long-distance plan, assuming you chose a cellular calling plan with plenty of "free" long-distance included.
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