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.