Cellular Phones Welcome Guest | Login or Register

With all the new advances in cell phone technology, picking out a new model can be as frustrating as it is confusing.   Mobile phones are now packed with bells and whistles like mp3 players and video cameras.  Without judging a phone by its fancy modern features, how can you tell a phone from a mediocre one?  Practicality should come first in this case.  Here are some key features to look for when shopping around for a mobile phone.

Mobile Phone Features that are Convenient

If you are looking into flip phones, make sure there is a caller ID that allows you to see who is calling before opening the phone so you don’t end up answering calls from people you are trying to avoid.  Voice calling allows you to make calls without dialing anything, which is really handy if you are using a headset. 

If you use e-mail often, make sure you can send e-mails for your mobile phone.  Instant text messaging is also a handy feature when you can’t or don’t want to talk. 
Speakerphone is very convenient for multi-tasking and conference-calling is essential for businesspeople.  Also handy for businesspeople are mobile phones with push-to-talk services.  With this service, a mobile phone can function like a walkie-talkie and you can connect with people instantly, all without a mobile signal.

An aspect people often overlook when shopping around for a cell phone is the life of the cell phone battery.  If you don’t want to have to charge your cell phone often, look for what is called rated talk time.  This measures how long you can use the phone before having to charge it.  Most cell phone companies should provide this information so do some comparison shopping.

Extras Some Mobile Phone Users Can’t Live Without

Mobile phones with cameras and video cameras are all the rage.  With higher resolution phone  cameras you can take quality videos and pictures and share them with your friends.  Make sure the mobile phone allows picture messaging. 

If you are an internet junkie, you ought to find a cell phone that allows you to surf the wireless web.  Mobile phones featuring a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browser configure sites to be displayed on small, mobile devices. 

3G mobile phones offer FM radio, mp3 support, and polyphonic ringtones.  Some people prefer to have their music, phone, internet, camera, and video camera all in one place so they don’t have to carry around a number of different devices. 

You next step?  Take this information into consideration when shopping for a mobile phone.  You may not be able to live without some aspects of a phone while other features are bells and whistles that can come in handy.  What is important is that the mobile phone you choose ultimately meets your personal needs.  So get out there and start looking for the mobile phone that is just right for you!
 

I don’t know about you but I have always had trouble finding a cell phone service that I am satisfied with. Apparently I am not the only one because according to a survey of consumers, less than half of the people who have a mobile phone are happy with their service provider for one reason or another. The Consumer Reports National Research Center says that it is among the lowest rated services for which they conduct surveys. So what makes cell phone service so bad and what can we do about it?
Cell Phone Services Lack Good Customer Support
Ever received a cell phone bill in the mail and realize you were charged for calls you didn’t even make? Billing errors paired with a lack of good customer service are common gripes among cell phone users. A major cell phone service provider made the news last year by terminating 1,000 subscribers, claiming that they complained too much. So what can you do to avoid cell phone companies that don’t respond quickly and efficiently to your requests? Look at consumer ratings and choose the cell phone service providers that have the best rep in terms of customer service. If necessary, file a complaint with a consumer advocate or public utility commission in your state.
Poor Coverage and Bad Service Quality are the Biggest Complaints
Static, dropped calls, and lack of service in some areas are the biggest reasons why people switch cell phone service providers. Bad cell phone service quality can only be remedied by switching to another company in most cases. Unfortunately as of now all you can do is read consumer ratings and opinions to find out which company has the least complaints. Hopefully the companies will strive to improve their services so we don’t have to keep switching from one cell phone service provider to another!
High Termination Fees and Mandatory Contract Extensions Make Switching Difficult
So you might be looking for a new cell phone service provider because you are unhappy with your current one, only to realize that in order to terminate your contract, you have to pay around 200 dollars. If you are near the end of your contract, wait it out so you aren’t stuck paying the fee. Make sure when you sign up with a new cell phone service that you check if they offer trial periods. Use those trial periods as an opportunity to shop around and decide on a provider so you don’t end up stuck in a plan that you are unhappy with.
When you change your plan, some companies will extend your contract without giving you any notice. Beware of this when you are considering buying a new phone with the same provider or when you switch to a promotional plan. The only way to avoid this problem is to read the fine print any time your cell phone service provider makes you promotional offers.
So there you have it. Cell phone service has a long way to go before being satisfactory for the majority of consumers. For now all you can do is shop around for the best cell phone service provider based on consumer ratings and read the fine print and details before signing or agreeing to anything. By following those simple steps, you will avoid the most common problems and misunderstandings.