Technologie :
Smartphones
Carriers contracts

Signing a service contract with a cell phone seller is often made to get the cellular service and the cell phone that we want. The proposed contract lasts often two years.

As any commitment, we do not take this commitment lightly. We are , after all, agreeing to pay the phone company a large sum of money every month for the next 24 or more months.

We remember that once we've signed on the dotted line, it may be too late to go back. So before we will take any first step for a cellular service, we will have to do research and figure out which cell phone plan is best for us.

What to do if we want to cancel the contract ?

Before we sign up a contract, we will ask how we can get out of it. Most companies will fine customers if they decide to terminate the contract early. We need to find out exactly how much we'll owe if we need to bail, and if the fine will goes down over time.

About a trial period

Some cellular carriers offer a limited trial period during which we can cancel contract without paying the penalty fee. This trial, which is likely to be no longer than 30 days. If it is the case, we will use the phone in all the locations we frequent, so we'll know if the service works where we need to use it. If it doesn't, switch carriers, something that can be very difficult to do later on.

The perfect bill

In the bottom line, we see the amount of the invoice we owe. The price will contain the costs for the month for service that we signed up. It will contain also the taxes and fees that can't be avoided as the price of the cell.

Before signing the contract, we ask the carrier for an estimate of the actual bill, with taxes and fees included, so w'll have a better idea of how much we'll really be paying each month.

Let's check if is there any hidden fees on the cell phone bill. Bbe on the lookout for any services that we didn't authorize. It is not impossible to find ourrself charged for cell phone insurance or a music service we don't need.

Let's then, authorize only the fees we want to use, and pay only for the minutes we need. If we're not a frequent caller, we may not need to opt for the unlimited calling plan. But, also, if we go overour allotment, it can cost a whole lot, and can be sky high for each additional minute we will use.

And what about DATA and SMS ?

DATA refers to intenet or the Web , and SMS refers to Short Message Service .

If we use our phone for messaging or surfing the Web, we also should purchase an adequate messaging and data plan. We have to make sure that our messaging plan is sufficient to be covered. Otherwise, we could be charged on a per-message basis, which can quickly add up.

Remember that we can be charged for incoming texts, sent from well-meaning friends and colleagues if we don't have a texting plan. So let's make sure we're covered.

We also should make sure that the data plan we select meets our needs; if we go over our data allotment, we can end up paying a pretty penny for every megabyte of data we upload or download.

A minute of call, a cost ?

If we don't opt for an unlimited calling plan, our carrier may offer us unlimited calls at certain times of the day or week. Some offer free nighttime calling, others offer free weekends. Before we start dialing friends, though, let's make sure we know when those nights and weekends start.

A time of surf, a cost ?

We talk about incurred roaming charges when we venture outside of the carrier's regular service area.

The rule, now, is that people opt for national calling plans. But, also, if we opt for a cheaper regional calling plan, we could get hit with a hefty roaming charge if weu travel with our phone. The right way is to find out what constitutes the best calling area, and what we'll be charged if we venture outside of it.

Traveling internationally with a cell phone can be an expensive proposition, if the phone will work overseas. Not all carriers offer service that is compatible with the technologies used in other countries. And even if they do, you're likely to find that any calls you make or receive overseas are very, very pricey. Just to know, ask about an international calling options.