Cell Phone Service Providers

There are more than a few different cell phone service providers that offer a wide variety of services. However, not all cell phone service providers are created equal and depending on the type of cell phone service you are looking for, the cell phone service provider you select may not offer those services.

If you are looking for national or regional service, the following cell phone service providers ALLTEL, AT&T, Cellular One, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular all offer nationwide or regional service. Top-ranked Verizon Wireless airs their humorous commercials regularly and their catch phrase “can you hear me now?” is one of the most repeated phrases ever. Of the listed providers, Nextel is lowest ranked, perhaps because they have more specialization in walkie-talkie type phones than the multi-purpose, multi-function cell phones that their competitors are producing. Although not the top ranked, former Cingular Wireless company AT&T is the largest cell phone carrier with more than 72 million users in the U.S. Provider T-Mobile has a customer base of more than 30 million users and provides them with service in 47 states. Some of the differences between these top listed cell phone services providers sources to how many calls are dropped, how many bars are kept, and the quality (or lack thereof) of customer service. Also an obvious factor, albeit a highly competitive one, are prices. Because many phone manufacturers now produce their products for any cell phone service provider who wishes, commonality can be found among most providers. Another common factor for this group of cell phone service providers is that they require some form of contractual agreement ranging from 1 to 2 years, with credit approvals required and early termination fees for not fulfilling the contract.

For those who may not meet the credit criteria, who do not want to pay the high deposit if not creditworthy, or just do not want a contract, there is a group of cell phone service providers who do not require a contract, credit check or deposit. Known as prepaid or pay-as-you-go providers, ALLTEL U, Cingular’s Go Phone, Boost Mobile, Cricket, Liberty Wireless, Metro PCS, Net 10, T-Mobile To Go, TracPhone, Verizon Wireless Pay As You Go and Virgin Mobile are today’s most popular cell phone provider of services designed to fit the desires of those who don’t want the commitment of a contract. Top-ranking Virgin Mobile provides their subscribers with talk time on a prepaid price per minute basis. Unlike contract providers, all prepaid providers do not offer any allowance for overages and service is typically restricted to the area where the phone was purchased unless additional time is purchased and placed in a roaming-type account. Not all pay as you go and prepaid providers charge by the minute. Metro PCS, for example, offers prepaid plans with unlimited talk, text, and picture messaging.

Deciding on a cell phone service provider means understanding which company can provide you the services you need at the best price you can afford.