Planning to change your cell phone plan? Here are a few things you should know

With a lot of cell phone plan providers in the market, consumers are now spoilt for choice. There a huge number cell phone plans that offer services at competitive prices; there are individual plans, family plans, no contract plans, prepaid plans, plans that are low-cost with fewer minutes and so on. Depending on a consumer’s need, cell phone usage, and budget, one can compare cell phone plans and avail of the best deals.

What are the different categories of cell phone plans?

• Individual plans – These include plans for one user only. There is one line with a single rate for talk, data usage, and texts.
• Family plans – These plans allow the mixing of devices and plans. With a higher cost plan, two to three lines can be used. Although you would be paying a high price, it is still better than paying for separate individual plans. These plans offer shared data, texts and minutes.
• Flexible plans – These include prepaid, pay-as-you-go, month-to-month and no-contract plans. You just buy a prepaid phone, pay only for the plan you want and use the phone right away.
• Contract plans – These plans involve signing up for a one-year or two-year contract with the cell phone plan provider. A user has to pay monthly bills for the entire duration of the contract. In case, there is a switch to a new carrier, termination fees may have to be paid.

How to determine which cell phone plan is the best for you?

• First, you have to know your cell phone usage.
• Go through the telephone bills of the last three months and check the average number of minutes used and texts sent.
• Depending on your cell phone usage, you will have to shop around for a cell phone plan.
• You can read through websites that compare cell phone plans.
• While you compare cell phone plans, consider your budget as well.

When should you consider changing your existing cell phone plan?

• When your cell phone usage changes and you want more minutes.
• When you are using lesser minutes than present plan and want to switch to a lower-minute cell phone plan.
• When your data usage habits have changed; either you are consuming for data or cutting back and want a plan to suit your requirements
• Your contract with your existing provider is about to expire.
• You have found a cheaper plan for all your calling, texting and data usage.
• When you want to change from a contract plan to a no-contract plan.

What are the things to be considered before switching cell phone plans?

• Ensure that you have paid for your phone in full to your current cell phone plan provider.
• Make sure that your existing cell phone provider does not charge any penalties when you switch to a new plan.
• If there are penalties involved, ask the new provider whether they will pay the penalty to your old provider. Some providers do pay, and some don’t.
• Verify whether you will need to buy a new phone when you switch your cell phone plan, or whether your current phone will work with the new cell phone plan.
• Know which carriers are available in your area.

What are the essential factors based on which you can compare cell phone plans?

• Cost per month that you would have to shell out.
• Total data available
• Fee per line (in case of family cell phone plan)
• Total cost
• Total cost per GB
• Overage penalty
• Whether data rollover is permissible

Which are the popular websites make cell phone plans’ comparison?

• NerdWallet
• WhistleOut
• Wirefly
• ConsumerReports
• Lifewire

Which cell phone companies have the most affordable cell phone plans?

• Ting
• Republic Wireless
• MetroPCS
• Project Fi
• Sprint
• U.S. Cellular
• AT&T
• Verizon