There is no doubt a cell phone is an essential commodity. Therefore, a cell phone plan is usually part of many people’s monthly budgets. The cost may be little or huge, depending on the individual. However, you do not have to spend a fortune on your cell phone plan as there are many cheap options available. Among the most popular options are the unlimited plan and the prepaid plan.
Everyone has a cell phone. The problem becomes, what is the best way to pay for it? While cell plans can be expensive, there are plenty of options that exist to find big savings, that can cut your monthly payment down tenfold.
Cell phone service providers are classified into two categories in the United States. They are the Mobile Network Operators (MNO) and the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). The MNOs are the major providers, while the MVNOs buy from the MNO and reseller to the public.
However, the resellers’ services are cheaper because they do not get involved in network infrastructure installation and maintenance.
The big four MNO are AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Generally, the MNOs usually sell on contract, while the MVNOs are the major companies selling prepaid.
The common cell phone plans available today include the following:
- Unlimited Plan.
- Cheap Plan.
- Prepaid Plan.
- Family Plan.
- Senior Plan.
While you can get a phone with most of the plans, some plans allow you to use your current phone, hence eliminating the cost of the phone.
A Prepaid plan means you pay for the data and call time before you use it. Only what you pay for will be available for use.
But an unlimited plan allows you to use the service for unlimited access to the internet. You do not have to pay beforehand.
Cheap plans are similar except that you do not have unlimited access, and they are cheaper. You will be given a limit to phone calls, text messages, and internet access. If you go beyond this limit, it will warrant additional charges.