Shopping for that peace of mind – Buying a cell phone
Professionals will tell you that cell phones are indispensable business tools. But even if you don't have important business calls to make, there are plenty of good reasons for getting a cell phone for the family. When your car breaks down or your kids are trying to get a hold of you, a cell phone can be a time-saver, even a lifesaver.
To start shopping, you need to decide which phone company to go with. In Canada, there are four choices - Rogers AT&T, Telus (which now owns ClearNet) Bell and Fido. You'll want to compare what each company offers in terms of service, costs and coverage. An easy way to do all this comparative research is over the Internet. Here are some things to consider:
CONTRACTS
Some companies make you sign a yearly contract. Others operate monthly. If you're unsure about committing to a cell phone, stay away from long-term contracts that lock you in.
SERVICE PLANS
Consider how often and when you'll be using the phone. Will you use it for 100 minutes a month? 400 minutes? Only on weekends? These answers will help you decide on a service plan - you pay a flat rate for a certain about of airtime a month. (Some websites have a questionnaire to determine which plans suit your needs.)
Over and above these pre-paid minutes, the charges add up quickly - anywhere from 15 to 30 cents a minute. Long distance charges are on top of this. You're charged for calls you receive as well as those you make.
Bells and whistles, like voice mail and call-display, cost more. Most carriers now offer bundled service - multiple features for one fixed price. You must be over 18 to get a regular plan and there's usually a credit check. If you're younger or have a bad credit rating, you could pay additional deposits.
PAY-AS-YOU GO PLANS
Here, the phone comes with an airtime card with a set number of minutes on it. When the minutes are depleted, you pay to have them topped up. This is a great option if you don't plan to use the phone much or if you want to make sure your teenagers don't rack up the bills.
COVERAGE
This refers to where the phone will actually work. Cell phones today use two main types of technology - digital and analog.
- Analog
The older, analog system provides wider coverage. Analog is good if you live in a rural area, travel a lot, or if you hike in the back woods. (Really remote areas often don't have any coverage at all so check coverage maps before you head out.) However, analog billing is by the minute, voice quality isn't as good and you may experience more drops, meaning calls can cut-off unexpectedly. - Digital
The newer digital system (also known as PCS) is confined to larger, urban areas. Digital phones have more features (like caller ID), the batteries last longer and your conversations are more private. While digital phones cost more up front, they can save money in the long run because you can be billed by the second. We recommend getting what's called a dual mode phone. They're more expensive but they switch between digital and analog, depending on where you are, giving you the best possible coverage. (The latest phones are tri-mode digital cells. When traveling, they allow you to switch to the local digital system.)
WEB PHONES
Many new digital cell phones now come with a micro-browser that allows you to surf the web, get email or stock quotes over your phone. These are called WAP (Wireless Applications Protocol), web-enabled or web-ready phones. The phones are more expensive, plus you have to pay a special monthly fee and about 20 cents a minute to surf. This technology still doesn't compare to surfing the web on your home PC. So, we say wait before you invest. As the demand for wireless data increases, the content and the pricing will improve.
PHONE MODELS
After you've made the above decisions it's finally time to choose the actual phone. You buy your phone from the provider you choose to go with. (A phone from Telus won't necessarily work on the Bell digital network) This can limit the selection. Phones usually cost between $100 and $300, though providers often have special promotions where the phone is free or discounted when you sign up for a plan. Typically, the longer the contract, the cheaper the phone.
Consider the size and weight of the phone. Small phones can fit into pockets but they're usually less powerful. If you have kids around go for something sturdy. Flip covers can break off easily. But without a cover, those buttons can be pushed accidentally (i.e. by other things in your bag). A lock feature can fix this. Most phones do come with either a one or two year warranty.
Compare accessories and features. We like the vibrate option (good for movie theatres) and phones that can be used with a headset (safer for driving.) Finally, practise dialing in the store… some phones are so small even the daintiest fingers can't push those buttons properly! Getting a phone for emergency use starts many a cellular-human relationship. But don't say we didn't warn you: a cell phone can quickly become as indispensable as a computer or a car!
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