What You Should Know Before Getting A Wireless Phone

While cellular phones have been around for nearly two decades, until a few years ago, wireless was considered a luxury out of the reach of most casual users. How times have changed. Now wireless phones are everywhere and their wide use continues to grow, even replacing traditional phones entirely for some users. Service prices have become so affordable and flexible, and quality has risen so sharply, that it has become difficult to argue against signing up for wireless service. Wireless does make sense, but making sense of wireless isn't always easy. The wireless market today is highly regionalized, constantly changing, and very competitive. As a result, consumers have a variety of phones, plans, and options to choose from, but keeping up with such a fast-changing market can be time-consuming and confusing. At LetsTalk.com, it's our goal to not only make buying wireless products and services simpler, but to make it easier to understand the wireless world. But before you start researching phones or plans, we believe you need to understand the single most important variable in the wireless equation...You. Why, how, when, and where you use wireless will determine which products and services you need and the money you spend. To better understand your needs, we recommend the following steps.

TECH BRIEFINGS Cellular Networks Simplified: Analog, Digital Cellular, and PCS Digital Phone Technologies: TDMA, CDMA, and GSM Internet Access from Your Phone Cellular Phone Battery Technology USAGE TIPS Taking Control of Your Wireless Bill Maximizing Battery Life Driving and Talking Safely Useful Phone Features Cell Phone Etiquette

Ask yourself, what will you use your phone for?

Are you going to run a business from your hip pocket? Do you love the idea of always being in touch with a far-flung group of family and friends? Do you travel a great deal? Or do you just want a cell phone for emergencies and more importantly, for peace of mind? (You may find it useful to check out our user profiles for Active Professionals, Business Travelers, Friends & Family calling, and Safety & Emergency use.) Most service plans include a set number of calling minutes in the monthly rate with extra time available for a per-minute charge. Those seeking security might do well with a low-cost, low-minute plan, while heavy users naturally look for plans with the most minutes. But minutes are only part of the picture; there are other usage habits to consider. For instance, will you make most of your calls during or after business hours? Most plans differentiate "peak" and "off-peak" minutes, and may offer a generous number of off-peak minutes (evenings and/or weekends) as part of your monthly fee or at a substantial discount. One price unlimited calling plans which place no limits on usage times or amounts are becoming increasingly popular with heavy users. Also remember that if you make calls outside your local coverage, you'll be charged additional long-distance fees. And if you place calls from outside your local calling area, you'll incur roaming fees. Keep in mind, different providers may define your local coverage area, also known as the home calling area, more narrowly or broadly. If you plan on roaming a lot or making many long distance calls, consider national calling plans that cover the entire country in the home calling area.

Imagine yourself using the phone.

Size-  Will you be carrying your phone in your pocket, briefcase, or purse? Most phones are fairly small and light, but if you plan on carrying one in your pocket, you may want to look for especially light, slim models. Your phone's battery will often times add a lot of extra bulk to the body of your phone. Slim batteries will cut down on your phone's size so it will still fit in your pocket. You may also want a phone with a silent or vibrating alert option for discreet notification of incoming calls. Accessories-  You may want to consider what kind of accessories you will need with your wireless phone. Depending on how you use it, certain accessories like a hands free kit or a cigarette lighter adapter could come in quite handy. If you are one of the fashion conscious you may also want to buy a colorful faceplate or a light-up antenna. Click here to find accessories that are compatible with your phone. LetsTalk.com especially recommends using a hands free kit in the car because talking on the phone and driving is dangerous and has even been outlawed in certain cities.

Keep in mind the following.

Click on any link below to read a more in-depth review of the subject: Features: Nearly every feature available on landline phones (voicemail, caller ID, etc.) is also available for digital plans and phones. Digital may also offer advanced features like text messaging and Internet access. Some are included in the service plan; others are available for an additional fee. A complete list of features on every phone and plan offered by LetsTalk.com can be found on our product detail pages. (Just click wherever you see a hyperlinked product name.) Analog, Digital Cellular, and Digital PCS: There are three types of wireless phone networks. Analog has the widest coverage. Digital cellular and digital PCS, the more recent developments, generally offer better clarity, data security, and can pack more information into a signal. Digital networks use one of three competing digital technologies that are mutually incompatible. However, there are "dual mode" phones that can work with both digital cellular and analog networks, and tri-mode phones which can work with all three. In any case make sure (or allow LetsTalk.com to check for you) your wireless phone can work on your plan provider's full network. Now you are ready to select a phone, service plan, and accessories! A good place to start is with our Find & Compare tool which will help you narrow your options based on your location, how you plan to use your phone, and the product features you want.