Feeling trapped by a cell phone plan that’s too pricey or restrictive? A major change in the cellular industry this month will offer consumers the freedom to negotiate better deals and bigger savings.
Starting Nov. 24, consumers in Chicago and other large metro areas can take their cell phone numbers with them when they switch carriers. It’s known as number portability, and consumer groups predict it will mean big improvements for cellular customers.
“The consumer is all of a sudden getting a lot more power,” said Delly Tamer, chief of LetsTalk, an online wireless comparison service. “Even those who feel at the mercy of their carrier, they cannot be stopped from switching, even if they have an outstanding bill.”
Sounds easy for people with a lot of time on their hands to comparison shop, but what about those of us who don’t always read the fine print of the contracts or even the details of the monthly phone bill?
The first piece of advice from Janee Briesemeister, who works with Consumers Union, is to wait before signing up for the latest deal. Packages that seem great now will just get better when number portability takes effect and people start leaving their carriers.
“They’re trying to get consumers signed up now, before Nov. 24,” she said. “We’re cautioning consumers against jumping onto a new deal now.”
If you’re happy with your current company, Briesemeister suggests telling them you’re thinking of leaving and asking for a better deal. The wireless companies all know you can take your number to another carrier and will fight to keep you from doing that.
“Use number portability to leverage a better price,” she said. “It’s a better deal for the company to keep your business.”
Tamer suggests calling the customer service department to see what they can offer you to stay. “Tell them you want the latest deal and try to ask them for a cooler phone,” he said.
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Deals of the moment
A cell phone user who expects to pay $70 to $80 a month for service can look for these packages (as of Tuesday):
Verizon Wireless
Get the combo platter for about $80. Start with the $49.99 holiday promotion: 1,000 anytime minutes, free long distance and night and weekend minutes. Add $10 for 1,000 mobile-to-mobile minutes, and $20 for a family share plan, with unlimited family minutes.
Cingular
For $69.99, get 1,200 minutes plus 5,000 night and weekend minutes. Long distance is included, as is call forwarding. Free Body Glove sling pack offered to online customers.
Sprint
For $80, get 1,400 anytime minutes with unlimited weekends and night minutes. Night minutes start at 7 p.m. For an extra $5, get unlimited PCS-to-PCS service.
U.S. Cellular
For $75, get 1,600 minutes with unlimited local night and weekend minutes and free long distance. Online deal: half off monthly access fee for six months, free activation.
T-Mobile
For $79.99, get 1,500 minutes with unlimited weekend minutes. Also includes built-in paging, conference calling and call holding.
AT&T
For $74.99, get 1,300 anytime minutes, plus a bonus 100 minutes for ordering online. Also includes unlimited night and weekend minutes, nationwide free long distance and a free carrying case for phone.
