There are now over 190 million mobile phone subscribers, more than one per household on average. A small growing number of people use a cell phone (aka mobile phone) as their only phone. The mobile phone manufacturers and wireless service providers are promoting new generations of devices, users can do much more than just phone calls.
Despite its popularity, wireless service has a reputation for problems: dead zones, where you can not get service, and calls for unknown reasons at the end midconversation, insufficient capacity, so that you can not by a call when you want hard to imagine rates and errors in calculations. Such problems are why one third of mobile phone users that we interviewed, they are serious about a change of carrier.
The switching is much easier now than ever, thanks to the government’s mandate on local number portability. However, you should be aware that mobile phones are not even. If you expect support, switch to a new phone to buy.
What is available
The phone itself is only part of what you need. You can also sign up for service with a wireless provider and select a tariff. You can find mobile phones in many outlets, including independent wireless retailers, electronics stores and websites.
Manufacturer. The large national Cingular (which merged with AT & T Wireless), Nextel, Sprint PCS (which is in the process of merging with Nextel), T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. There are also many local or regional operators.
They are often described as tri-mode phones, dual band, tri-band or multi-networks. These terms describe how to connect a phone to one or more wireless networks can. Here are the details:
* Tri-mode phones can access a digital network in two frequency bands, and analog wireless networks.
* Dual-band phones can connect a digital network, but in two different frequency bands. GSM service providers often use the term 850/1900 MHz instead of dual-band.
* Multi Network phones are compatible with more than a digital network, often in two frequency bands. Some may even on analog networks.
* Tri-band or “world phones” operate on GSM networks in both the U.S. and abroad. Those who can, with 850/1800/1900 MHz band capacity on two national and international work. Those 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz band on a capacity in the U.S. (1900 MHz) and two bands at the international level.
The pricing models. Most providers offer a range of plans for a bucket “of minutes of call was then online. The more minutes in the bucket, plus costs for the plan each month. However, the total number of minutes is not the most important character. Some of these minutes may be good at any time, others only on nights and weekends, if you do not exceed the allocation of minutes, you will be charged 35-50 cents per minute, depending on plan . Cingular, alone among the major airlines, customers can roll over unused minutes to next month. Most plans will have to sign one or two year contract and charge a fee juicy if you cancel before the contract expires.
Prepayment can be a good alternative if you are opposed to a long term contract will be. Many mobile operators as well as Virgin Mobile, Liberty Wireless, Metro PCS Prepaid TracFone offers. You prepay for minutes of airtime, which usually last 45 60 days before they expire.
Phones. Some are simple rectangles with a display and keypad on the front. Others are curved or flap-opened to protect the keys. The major mobile phone manufacturers Audiovox, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, Sanyo and Sony Ericsson. Light is pretty standard. All the newer phones can send and receive text messages up to 160 characters to come from another cell phone user, and now most phones with a color screen. You’ll also see that cell phones can play games are popular, with a digital camera, offering wireless Internet access, or are integrated with a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Key Features
Some mobile phone manufacturers and service providers offer services known as 3G, which increases the speed of data transmission. to provide 3G services fast enough, use secure connections to the Internet and allow you, the mobile phone to download and play audio and video, multimedia messaging and e-mail.
Among the basic functions of mobile phone, to find a display that is readable in both light conditions. Make sure it is easy to see battery life and signal strength indicators and the number to dial speed. The keyboard should be clearly identified and easy to use. Programmable speed dial numbers, you can recall stored names and phone numbers by pressing a button. One-touch redial list is useful for dropped calls or if you experience connection problems. Most phones today have the voice that you dial the phone number of a person can talk through their names. But the number and names should be in the address book of your phone, and you need every part name – a process that takes time to show. Voice dialing phones do not require training. You can choose any number in your contact list, dial, and even a number, not in the list by talking numbers.
In addition to ring a buzzer or a flashing LED that emits light have to tell you the most phones have a call, useful when you are in a meeting or cinema. Is this a convenient and easy ringtone to cut, vibrating ring happens when you press a key. volume control on the page, you can change the handset volume level without moving the phone too far from the ear. You can not do so when the volume control on the keyboard. A speakerphone and receiver volume increases the sensitivity of the microphone, so you carry on a conversation without the phone against your ear.
Some mobile phones have a headset. This ability is sometimes required by various local laws for drivers with cell phones. A standard headset connector (also known as 2. 5-mm plug) is the most common type of helmet connection. If you use frequently, but hate messing with cables Helmets hold a mobile phones with Bluetooth voice with which you can use a wireless headset. Not all mobile phones with Bluetooth are the same. Bluetooth data transfer pictures and contacts, etc. to other Bluetooth-compatible devices such as printers, PDAs, and computers. Bluetooth data capability is based on GSM phones found, but not on CDMA phones.
Many CDMA phones have analog backup capacity, which can be important when you are in rural areas, travel or the places where your digital media does not offer. The analog phones with features sometimes in places where a connection only digital phones can not.
Mobile phones are very different in the design of the keyboard and screen readability, and later in ease of use the menu function or perform basic tasks as one-button redial and storage frequently called telephone numbers to speed dialing. It is important to a phone in the store before purchasing to ensure grip design and the fingers are well coordinated.
To select
Start by creating a service. Looking for a good service where you want can be a challenge. The best way is, friends and business partners – people who literally travel the same roads as you – to ask how they are satisfied with their mobile phone service. Also, note that Verizon Wireless has always come first in the Consumer Reports surveys and should be considered first.
Select a tariff. You must determine where and when you’re on a mobile phone as a plan that suits you best choice. In general, a national plan calls (usually spared more long distance charges or fees for “roaming” away from your home area) is useful to consider first, even if you do not Travel often. With a regional plan, roaming charges can be steep when you make calls away from home.
If two or more family members use their cell phone, consider a family plan, up to four people, a large number of minutes per month to share a small monthly charge may apply. If you are not sure how many minutes you can use the phone in one month, you choose a plan with more minutes than you think you will use. Often it will be the best minutes that used rigid pay per minute if you exceed your quota.
Select a phone. You can spend as little as $ 20 or less $ 600 on a cell phone. You must start your selection in the right price level. Once you’ve settled on a price range, follow these steps:
First look for the practical aspects. players, cameras, games, music and are as attractive, fun and even useful for some people. However, features such as a volume control on the page breaks, a ringtone and easily cut will be useful, every day.
Hold the phone. In the store, take the phone in his hand and make you easy access to most keys with one hand. Try a test call and access the menu items on a demonstration of work. We found that cell phones are difficult to use with radical forms. These are the keys that are small, irregularly shaped, or arranged in unusual patterns, especially if you try to dial a number in the twilight.
Check the display. Most color displays good performance in low light, but some are difficult to see in daylight. Try the phone outside or under bright light. In our tests were mobile phones to read the incoming and outgoing caller ID with a large black font on a white background is the lightest in most conditions. Also be sure indicators such as battery life and signal strength is to make visible.
Consider insurance expensive phones. All major airlines offer insurance coverage, which lost, stolen or damaged cell phones, usually for about $ 4 to $ 5 per month with a $ 35 to $ 50 deductible. At these rates, it would not be an insurance mobile phone at low cost. But if you paid $ 200 or more, insurance is to consider. Some insurance plans require a police report. damaged equipment is replaced, often with a refurbished model
Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www. Consumer Reports. org.
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