Cell phones are now the rule, not the exception.
And the slew of cell phone services has made it possible to drop a traditional land line and go completely wireless–and many have.
The rationale is cost. The typical monthly bill for wireless service ranges from $40 to $60 and includes calls within the U.S., along with voice mail, caller ID and call waiting.
And while taxes and fees are beginning to pile up on cellular plans in some states–Illinois residents paid 21.05 percent in 2004, according to CTIA-the Wireless Association–they tend to be less than surcharges levied on regular phone bills.
More important, why pay twice for the same service?
Young people, who often share an apartment with friends and are mobile themselves, are ideal candidates to go wireless. There’s no monthly phone bill to battle over with roommates or service fees for a new line every time you move.
Certainly, cell phones are not the perfect solution. The number of wireless complaints filed in 2004 with the Federal Communications Commission increased 38 percent.
But the cost savings may be worth the aggravation, as long as you use your cell phone wisely. Here are some things to consider before completely cutting the cord.
– Test how well a particular provider’s cellular service works in your home.
All providers offer at least a 14-day trial period without termination fees. J.D. Power and Associates rates service by region (www.jdpower.com), but the best gauge may be your neighbors.
“If there’s one thing people like to talk about, it’s bad cell phone service,” says John Breyault of the Telecommunications Research and Action Center, a non-profit advocacy for telecom consumers.
– Consider whether you need a land line for Internet service.
DSL and dial-up are delivered through a traditional phone line, while a cable modem uses separate lines. DSL subscribers can minimize costs with a basic, local-only telephone service plan for about $10 a month, plus taxes, fees and the DSL charge. A benefit: You’ll be able to receive phone calls without wasting cellular minutes.
– Pick the right plan.
Try testing your usage by relying solely on your cell phone for at least one month, even forwarding calls from your land line.
You can always change your plan, but that generally requires a new contract. As carriers try to lock in consumers, a growing number of contracts come with a two-year commitment and $100-plus early termination fee.
– Stay within your cell phone plan’s allotted monthly minutes.
If you go beyond, typical overage charges are 40 cents to 45 cents a minute.
“For a $39.99 plan where you have 500 minutes and 40 cents overage, if you go over your minutes by 20 percent [100 minutes], you’ll double your bill,” points out Allan Keiter of myrateplan.com, an online resource for searching rate plans.
– Be wary of additional costs.
Those jaunty text messages and downloaded ringtones can add quickly to the bottom line.
And while carriers heavily subsidize the phone itself when you first sign up, if you break or lose your phone you may be stuck shelling out $150 or more for a new one. Insurance options exist, but the deductible and exclusions may not justify the added charge on your monthly bill.
Mobile manners
Although most mobile phone etiquette may seem like common sense, business expert Joanna Krotz recommends keeping these do’s and dont’s in mind.
Do
– Maintain at least a 10-foot zone from anyone while talking.
– Keep all calls brief and to the point.
– Tell callers when you’re on a cell phone so they can anticipate distractions.
Don’t
– Talk in elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, waiting rooms, places of worship and never have emotional conversations in public.
– Use loud and annoying rings.
– Make calls while shopping, banking, waiting in line, etc.
– Take a personal call during a meeting.
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Edited by Tran Ha (tha@tribune.com) and alBerto Trevino (atrevino@tribune.com)
