Why Cell Phones?

Let’s face it: cell phones are just about a necessity in today’s busy world. Whether you use your cell phone to ask your spouse what to get at the grocery store or conduct international business, these handy devices have become an integral part of mainstream society.

While there’s no doubt that cell phones are useful, figuring out the best service provider and plan can be a nightmare. Cell phone providers compete for your business using jargon, and it’s sometimes difficult to compare rates. They offer different phones and services, so figuring out which will best suit your needs can be a hassle, especially since most providers want you to sign a one or two-year contract, which often eliminates the ability to “test” out the service.

In this site, we cut through the jargon and give you simple-to-understand reviews of top cell phone providers. You’ll also find articles on choosing a cell phone and how to deal with authorized resellers and recent news stories on cell phone providers to help you make an informed decision on which cell phone provider is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS — We do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a Cell Phone Provider

You need a cell phone provider who offers the widest selection of features and avoids hidden charges and costs. Excellent customer service is also necessary.

Even though each cell phone provider offers many different plans—ranging in price and plan availability—we found a nationwide plan that was as close to a $39.00 monthly price tag as possible (some of the providers don’t actually offer nationwide coverage). In addition to this base price, most cell phone providers offer premium features that only add a few dollars to your monthly bill.

Below are the criteria that TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate cell phone providers:

• Feature Set – Cell phone providers should include a wide variety of options, including call waiting, call forwarding, Bluetooth (internet connectivity), text messaging and more.
• Service Area On-Network – Service providers should offer extensive coverage areas, including nationwide coverage. Metropolitan areas should offer exceptional service. All of the cell phone providers we reviewed offer off-network coverage (which generally extends to cover the entire continental United States), but this feature often includes additional charges.
• Minutes – A good cell phone provider should offer plans with a good minute-to-dollar ratio. Overage charges should be minimal, and the cell phone plan should offer free mobile-to-mobile minutes, free long distance and similar features.
• Help/Support Options – Cell phone providers should offer extensive support, including phone support, an online FAQs page, live chat and an email contact address.

If you are wondering what kind of cell phone is best for your lifestyle read What Kind of Phone Do I Need? Or, if you are looking for new provider start by reading our review for Cingular.