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Planning To Change Your Cell Phone Plan Here Are A Few Things You Should Know

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?