Shop Around for a Cell Phone Carrier

It seems that everyone's offering cell phones--including Apple Computer. With so many people using cell phones these days, there are many, many carriers available. Some of the most popular include Nextel, Alltel, Liberty, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Cingular. How do you decide which service to use? Some things you might consider when choosing a carrier: • how much you are willing to spend per month • what features different carriers offer (data access, two-way text) • which calling areas tyou need access to • mobile-to-mobile options • family share plans • activation fee costs • phone prices • accessories included • contracts Once you know what you want, you can easily choose a carrier. Tip: Don't accept a special offer or sign any contract until you're sure the carrier and the phone you've chosen has everything necessary to make the wireless experience a good one. That iPod Nano might not suit you! Very few states offer a "buyer's remorse" guarantee when purchasing cell phone plans, so an informed decision is a wise one.