Never had a cell phone - help me out!

[MeddyDuo]

Ok so I got a call back about renting an apartment, which means I'll probably be moving in by next week. It is cheaper to get cable Internet and a cell phone instead of DSL and a land line. And then I can take the phone anywhere.
But I've never had a cell phone before, and I've only used one a couple times. So here's a few questions -

Which one should I get? I think it would be nice if it could play music (I don't know if all of them do).

Will any phone work with any network?

If I call someone on a landline or they call me, will they get charged? I thought I remembered my mom making my sister pay some of the phone bill because she always talked to people who had cell phones.

 

[KarmaPolice]

no they wont get chraged if u called or if they called you.

No not all phones work for all carriers unless you unlock them which is prob more complicated then you want to get

Music on a phone is cool but isnt really needed and isnt very practical..but still cool

Pick the network that gets the best service in your area. No matter how cool a phone for one service is...in my experience the most important thing is the service. If there are more then one company with good service pick the one with the better plan that fits you.

(go to their sites to look at there service areas, third party sites, or even better friends)

 

[MeddyDuo]

Yeah so far the only website that says they have coverage in my area is US Cellular. I'll have to ask some friends what they use.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Yeah so far the only website that says they have coverage in my area is US Cellular. I'll have to ask some friends what they use.

Where are you located?
You are bound to have ATT-Cingular, Verizon, and maybe t-mobile if you are in the US.

 

[Zolty]

If it is your first cell phone don't bother with all the frills get the cheapest/free phone they offer and sign up for a 1 year contract. After the 1 year you can get something some of the features you want. Call your landlord or other people in your building see what they have and go with that.

 

[MeddyDuo]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Yeah so far the only website that says they have coverage in my area is US Cellular. I'll have to ask some friends what they use.

Where are you located?
You are bound to have ATT-Cingular, Verizon, and maybe t-mobile if you are in the US.

53821
Small town in southwest Wisconsin. I checked ATT-Cingular and Verizon, I forgot to check t-mobile.
EDIT: Just checked, and T-mobile doesn't have service in my area.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Depending on the plan, the providers will often give you a free phone with your contract signing. Just keep that one... a phone is a phone-- all it needs to be able to do is dial a number and ring.

 

[ViviTheMage]

get a w810i

tmobile!

 

[jackbristow]

You should look at www.sprint.com/sero.

Use holiday@sprint.com as the email address.

There are some great plans and free phones. With Sprint the coverage can be spotty outside of urban areas not because they are cheap but because of the technology they use. However you can roam for free.

If you want to try Sprint coverage you can buy a Virgin Mobile phone and test it out since it runs on the Sprint network.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Yeah so far the only website that says they have coverage in my area is US Cellular. I'll have to ask some friends what they use.

Where are you located?
You are bound to have ATT-Cingular, Verizon, and maybe t-mobile if you are in the US.

53821
Small town in southwest Wisconsin. I checked ATT-Cingular and Verizon, I forgot to check t-mobile.
EDIT: Just checked, and T-mobile doesn't have service in my area.

Yeah, T-Mobile sucks in my area too.

I personally would go with ATT-Cingular. But Verizon is good too. The problem with verizon is that they cripple their phones. I use bluetooth alot to transfer ringtones, games, and apps to my phone. Cannot do that on most verizon phones. Cingular and Verizon are about on par here, Alltel is much better when it comes to signal, but they still use cdma phones.
Sprint works well too. But I have never dealt with them, just heard from friends.

Just depends on what you want. But to get a contract without paying a downpayment you will have to have decent credit. It doesn't have to be good, just not horrible. They do a credit check prior to having you sign a contract. The deposit could be up to $400 if you have bad bad credit.

 

[MeddyDuo]

But still only US Cellular is available in my area, according to the websites
Actually Sprint says "The 53821 area may be serviced by a Sprint partner.
Check coverage in this area." And I click the link and it shows coverage on the map, but it won't let me shop for phones :disgust:

 

[MeddyDuo]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
Just depends on what you want. But to get a contract without paying a downpayment you will have to have decent credit. It doesn't have to be good, just not horrible. They do a credit check prior to having you sign a contract. The deposit could be up to $400 if you have bad bad credit.

I should have perfect credit as far as I know.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
But still only US Cellular is available in my area, according to the websites
Actually Sprint says "The 53821 area may be serviced by a Sprint partner.
Check coverage in this area." And I click the link and it shows coverage on the map, but it won't let me shop for phones :disgust:

You are right, you don't have much of a signal out in your area. It looks like Us Cellular is the only place interested in your business. Sprint looks like it will work too.

 

[LS20]

go on ebay and search "motorola startac"

 

[Zysoclaplem]

I'd call sprint, talk to a CSR, and tell them what you want. Don't let them talk you into anything crazy.

 

[deerslayer]

Only US Cellular? I have US Cellular now and they have been a nightmare.

If you get US Cellular, ask them before you buy the phone if there is any kind of cancellation policy within the first X amount of days. I believe it is 30. Their service is HORRIBLE in my area. I called to see what could be done and they conveniently told me my 30 day period had just expired and I was basically out of luck.

I've contacted them multiple times about the situation. I even had a guy checking into the tower situation for me. He was supposed to call back, but that didn't happen. I don't think they even read the emails I've sent them. They just keep telling me I can cancel anytime within the first 30 days. Doesn't do me any good now.

 

[Old Hippie]

I'm also finding Alltel.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie
I'm also finding Alltel.

Alltel phones for zip code 53821 National Freedom 500 plan.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: LS20
go on ebay and search "motorola startac"

Why would be want a Startac? You can't activate them anywhere.

OP, if you choose Verizon and they want a deposit, or you're unwilling to go into a two-year contract, take a look at their "EasyPay" offering - you can get almost any post-pay device (save PDA phones/data devices), with no contractual obligation. You'll pay a little more, both for the phone and the service, but you can cancel at any time without getting bit by the ETF.

 

[MeddyDuo]

Ok I'm reading this now for an Alltel plan:
Free Incoming Calls

With free incoming call plans, you will not be charged for any incoming calls that you receive.

Does that mean that without Free Incoming Calls, I get charged every time somebody calls me, or does it just mean that it uses my minutes?

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Ok I'm reading this now for an Alltel plan:
Free Incoming Calls

With free incoming call plans, you will not be charged for any incoming calls that you receive.

Does that mean that without Free Incoming Calls, I get charged every time somebody calls me, or does it just mean that it uses my minutes?

It uses your package minutes, unless you're in the free nights/weekends time (if offered by your plan).

Alltel has that "My Circle" thing where you can call 10 people for free, regardless of carrier or type of line. That would be really nice if you called a handful of people all the time. I can call any Verizon customer for free with my VZW plan and I rarely use over 100 minutes a month since the majority of my calls are in network and don't come out of my minutes.

 

[MeddyDuo]

Alright I got the RAZR with Alltel's cheapest nationwide plan. Now I forgot to ask them, but does anyone know this: As long as I call from the National Freedom Coverage Area, I can call anyone, even another country, and I won't get charged long distance, correct?

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Alright I got the RAZR with Alltel's cheapest nationwide plan. Now I forgot to ask them, but does anyone know this: As long as I call from the National Freedom Coverage Area, I can call anyone, even another country, and I won't get charged long distance, correct?

Well i'm not with Alltel (had t-mobile, horrible coverage... now using Cingular), but 'National' Freedom Coverage would indicate just within the US... and i'm assuming that's only to other Alltel's subscribers.

 

[Vinfinite]

I'm not sure about not being charged for calling different countries, but as long as you're not roaming, then all nationwide calls are free. (Don't know about altell specifically, but usually this is how it is)

free = using your own minutes, no extra fee

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Alright I got the RAZR with Alltel's cheapest nationwide plan. Now I forgot to ask them, but does anyone know this: As long as I call from the National Freedom Coverage Area, I can call anyone, even another country, and I won't get charged long distance, correct?

You cannot call another country for free, that would be ridculous. Sometimes they throw in places like Puerto Rico and USVI, worth looking into if you think you might call those places. You can receive calls from anywhere, only using your plans minute obviouslys.