Whether you’re buying your first cell phone, upgrading to a newer one or contemplating a new cell phone plan, it’s a good idea to thoroughly research your purchase. There are a multitude of companies, cell phone plans and rates available. You can pick from family plans, prepaid time cards, and plans tailored to your specific needs. The list, like beat, goes on. The purpose of this article is to help guide you through large amount of choices. This article includes some suggestions to help you decide which cell phone and cell phone plan is right for you.

One of things to consider when looking for a new cell phone is what cell phone accessories you need and want. It’s also wise to acquaint yourself with some websites that rate and review cell phones and cell phone accessories. Cell phone companies such as Nokia, Motorola and LG provide easy to use quiz’s to help determine what cell phone is right for your busy lifestyle. Because you are busy, I have done a little homework for you and have come up with some ideas to help you make right choice when buying a new cell phone.

There are a few factors to consider when buying or upgrading your phone. Part of what you want to look for in a cell phone is what rates are available if you are buying more than one phone. Many cell phone companies are currently offering “family plans” which make owning more than one phone very attractive.

The following are some guidelines to consider when researching a cell phone and cell phone plans purchase:

1. Economy

Advances in technology have revolutionized communications industry. This technology has introduced world to digital cameras and has also revolutionized world of cell phones. This technology has enabled a cell phone to act as a camera and in some cases to fit in palm of your hand. This is why sky is limit in cases of some cell phone prices. You can pay as much as you like for all internal options that a cell phone is equipped with. To further drive up cost of your cell phone purchase, there are numerous cell phone accessories that are essential to safe operation of unit and some which are simply frills.

If funds are limited but you still need a reasonably good phone and corresponding cell phone plan, there are companies that provide cell phones free of charge with purchase of a phone plan. These plans were previously called contracts and most of them were fairly long term (at least 3 years). This is no longer case. Many companies like Verizon, T-Mobile and Nextel will provide a phone for free and won’t insist on a lengthy commitment.

Some Options To Consider:

Prepaid Cell Phones – Are they right for you?

If you are considering a prepaid cell phone, it is a good idea to ask yourself how often will you be using phone. A prepaid cell phone can be more expensive than a regular monthly rate and contain hidden charges and restrictions. If you need a cell phone simply for occasional use, a prepaid cell phone is probably a good choice.

Family Plans – You Control who pays bill.

Many companies are offering “Family Plans”. This is making owning a cell phone even more economical. These cell phone plans allow owner to provide a family member or in case of small business, an employee, a cell phone. The principal owner of plan pays for air-time (at a discounted rate) and long distance. Using a family plan for a small business is a great way to keep track of cell phone expenditures and keeping telephone budget low.

Cell Phone Accessories – The costs add up!

When something shows up on market, you want it…now! In marketing world, you are known as an “Early Adopter” and Early Adopters always pay more. Communications companies love you! You are ultimately their test market to find out what consumers are willing to pay for newest features and latest gadgets available as cell phone accessories. There are numerous pages on World Wide Web of cell phone accessories. Numerous pages; so where to look? Start with Verizon or T-Mobile as they provide stylish phones free of charge. These cell phones come with many accessories included in start up cost. If economy is an issue with you, stick with basics. You will only need to buy following items:

• Handsfree Car Headset
• Battery Charger

Gone are days when only way you could afford a cell phone was to buy into a lengthy cell phone plan. In those early days, a cell phone plan included a seemingly ironclad contract that lasted a minimum of three years. There simply were no choices. If you wanted a cell phone you had to buy phone and commit to being tied to a contract; like it or lump it.

Thankfully those days are over and today because of number of service providers, choices abound! Today’s cell phone plans are designed with consumer and their multitude of choices in mind. The wireless customer can choose an affordable cell phone with many choices and combinations of cell phone plans. That’s good news! There is bad news though, with large volume of information available today, where does a person start to look and how do they decide what to choose?

Choices, Choices, Choices

That’s reason for this article. My goal is to help guide you through myriad of choices that are available and to introduce you to world of prepaid cell phones, family plans and shared plans for multiple cell phones. I’ll be giving you some suggestions on how to match best cell phone plan for you and your lifestyle. I’ll also be giving you an idea where to find some ratings and reviews.

There are a few things to consider when making a decision. Once that’s done you can look into various reviews on what’s currently available. Some internet sites provide ratings for cell phone plans they advertise and are always striving to inform customer about their newest offerings and hottest deals.

Decision Helpers

• Hardware & Software.
• What’s Available?
• The prepaid cell phone – Diamonds & Dust.
• Contracts – Bundles of Bargains.
• Companies you can count on.
• What’s your style?

The Hardware When it all comes down to it, isn’t it all about phone? This is primarily one of first of decision making factors because it determines what kind of phone you’ll get. This is especially true when you are looking at what can be a very expensive purchase.

Almost every cell phone company provides most simple or most complex cell phones with their prepaid cell phone packages. Companies such as Verizon, Cricket, and Nextel all offer easy consumer friendly “pay as you go” options.

If you chose a contract, there seems to be a formula but some companies have very enticing offers especially if you are changing service providers. The basic rule of thumb seems to be:

• $50.00 price reduction for a one year contract.
• $100.00 price reduction for a two year contract.
• $150.00 price reduction for a three year contract.

The Software The service provider is most important software factor when choosing between a prepaid cell phone and cell phone plan contract. This is an important issue because even best phone is only as good as its signal.

Buyers beware however; some service providers’ piggyback on top of more established lines. If it’s a case of first come; first serve and your service provider piggybacks, you could be first one off. This results in dropped calls and unreliable air space. Not a good outcome to your purchase. So do your research diligently.

What’s Available?

Because it’s all about phone, ask yourself following questions. What kind of phone do you want? Do you want one that is bare bones or one that has it all? Does cell phone company or service provider offer a phone that comes with family or shared plans? If you chose a family plan, are both phones equally efficient? Do you want a cell phone that doubles as a palm pilot or perhaps you want a cell phone camera?