Step 1: Evaluate Coverage and Service Quality

What's the first thing to look at in choosing a service provider?
Coverage is the most important feature of a wireless phone service. You want to make sure you can get service where you need it. Most service providers provide detailed maps--both regional and local--of their coverage areas

So how can I judge quality of service?
Your best bet is to talk to neighbors and friends who use the service you're considering. Find out how satisfied they are with service quality in locations or along highways you frequent. Are there dead zones or boundaries that could interrupt service?

If you already know about some problems, be aware that digital networks are expanding rapidly and your service provider may be planning to add one or more cells to improve service in your area. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to learn if - or perhaps more critical, when - such improvements will actually happen. However, most users are happy with their service provider's coverage.

Step 2: Determine Plan Costs

What are roaming charges?
A service provider's local calling area is the geographic region where its service is available for regular monthly and/or per-minute rates. This area may also be referred to as the "home area."

When you're outside your home area, your phone may be able to roam, or operate as a guest on another company's digital or analog network. Roaming is better than not being able to talk at all, but it often entails a surcharge of up to 75 cents a minute and long-distance fees of up to 50 cents a minute. Even plans that offer "free" long distance may charged for roaming calls, so check the plan's details carefully.

What will special services such as paging, voice mail and web-browsing cost?
Some of these services are dependent on the calling plan you choose. Often, services such as voice mail and numeric paging are included without extra charge in higher-volume plans; in others, they can cost up to $10 per month more. Verify these details with your service provider when purchasing the phone.

How can I compare plan costs?
Use this worksheet to determine the monthly service costs of the service providers you're considering and help you determine which plan is right for you. Be sure to calculate any additional charges for extra services such as Caller ID.

Monthly Base Rate

Per-minute charge for peak talk time
X
Estimated minutes used per month in excess of free minutes, if any
+
Per-minute charge for off-peak talk time
X
Estimated minutes used per month in excess of free minutes, if any
+
Per-minute charge while roaming
X
Estimated minutes used per month in excess of free minutes, if any
=
Monthly Service Cost

In addition to monthly service cost, you may want to determine the overall monthly cost of your phone and service so that you can compare the complete cost of different options. You can do this by adding the monthly cost of the service, phone and activation fees.

Monthly Service Cost
x 12
+
Phone Cost
+
Activation Fee
=
Total Cost for First Year of Use

Finally, the important thing to recognize when comparing service plans is that you're not looking for the "best plan," but rather, the plan that's best for you. Every customer has different needs, and what's right for one person may not be right for you. Look at the whole package, especially the details beyond the monthly fee, to determine whether a particular plan meets your needs.