Home Media Store

Our cell phones are a life line, a work tool, and in some cases, the tie that binds families. To be without a cell phone is unimaginable for many but it is a reality that they are faced with at some time as record numbers of handsets are lost, stolen, or rendered useless each year.  However, in a nation that attempts to insure every possession, cell phone insurance is available.

Numerous insurers have popped up in recent years promising to end the turmoil caused by the unexpected absence of these handy devices. These companies reassure us that we won't go more than a matter of hours when a cell phone is stolen as they strive to quickly resolve claims and replace our valuable goods. But is this insurance really cost effective?  Does it provide the service that consumers anticipate? Potential buyers need to take the time to seek out the details of a policy before deciding that such insurance is a solution to the issue of a cell phone gone missing or bad.

When reviewing a cell phone insurance policy, buyers should consider a few things:

• Consider the cost of the coverage.
  
  This includes the monthly payments times the number of months the owner anticipates having the phone. For instance, a $5/month policy held on a phone that is owned for 3 years would total $180. That is $5 x 36 months = $180.  Now the potential buyer must also factor in any deductible.  For our example let say there is a $50 deductible.  The new total of $230 represents what the buyer would actually be paying if indeed their phone had to be replaced.  Consumers need to  compare the cost of a new, equivalent cell phone compared to the cost of the coverage. If they can obtain a new phone on their own for nearly the same amount as the cost of the policy, they are better off forgoing the insurance.

• How are cell phones replaced?
  
  Is there a guarantee that the phone will be replaced with a model of equivalent or better value? A guarantee that the phone will be new rather than refurbished? Is there language assuring the time frame in which the phone will be replaced?  These types of questions will help determine whether or not the service will meet the needs for immediacy in obtaining a replacement and if the replacement will be inferior or equivalent to the original equipment.

• What does the cell phone insurance policy cover?
  
  Does the policy apply to cell phone theft, cell phone loss, and significant damage?  It is important to know which situations are covered and which are most likely to occur. If the policy does not cover the situations that a particular buyer is most concerned with, then the policy is useless to them. Many policies will differentiate between loss and theft; sometimes requiring a police report for thefts.

• Know what the cellular provider can do in these instances
  
  Some cellular providers are willing to help replace a damaged or missing cell phone that a user has had for more than a year. In some cases, a replacement will be provided or discounted, minimizing the need for the additional protection of cell phone insurance.

Like any type of insurance coverage, cell phone insurance could provide significant assistance in quickly replacing a vital device that an owner can not afford to replace in some circumstances. However, in many instances it is merely an added expense.  Consumers need to carefully review the policy to determine whether or not it offers the type of protection they need.

Return to Articles Directory or the Home Page.

As most have heard, cell phone plans around the globe are not all the same. Some have even said that cell phone plans in the US are more costly than those in many other countries.  The reasons provided are many but one of course is that nations such as Canada and the US are larger and many people live more remotely than in most European countries or Japan for instance, thus the costs for the infrastructure are greater.

One of the common points made, is that in countries such as Japan, Russia, most of Europe, China, and Australia, cell phone plans do not charge customers for incoming calls where as the majority of US cellular providers appear to be double charging calls by billing for the outgoing call and an incoming call. Whether a caller and a receiver of the call pay in cash or in minutes, two charges for a single call seems unwarranted to many consumers in view of the long standing history of billing for landline calls in which only the calling party pays when per call charges apply.

Of course, the angst over the topic is only intensified when not only wrong numbers can be dialed but even telemarketing calls could potentially sneak through with the customer being socked with the charge. Despite these concerns however, it is still unclear if indeed the cell phone plans in the US are actually more costly than their counterparts abroad.

Cell phone plans which offer unlimited nights and weekends and free nationwide long distance are predominate in the US, although this is not so in many other countries which may help balance out the difference in how incoming calls are handled. In addition, more recent cell phone plan offerings are beginning to change the face of how services are billed in this country giving users more flexibility and greater use without increased cost.

Two examples are cell phone plans which offer "free incoming" plans and those which offer unlimited calling to a user's circle of most commonly called numbers both of which offer greater savings.  Free incoming plans offer exactly what their name implies, unlimited inbound calls from anywhere in the country, at any time in addition to nationwide long distance and unlimited nights and weekends. However, the plans generally restrict these free incoming calls from those within the same network.  Sprint, for instance, allows free inbound calling from anyone in the Sprint PCS or Nextel Network.

Nextel on the other hand provides similar plans with the addition of no roaming fees and unlimited direct connect for those who can use the walkie/talkie function with other Nextel users.

Other fairly recent introductions in the US market are cell phone plans that provide unlimited calling to a list of "favorites" or most commonly called numbers.  T-Mobile "MyFavs" plans allow users to create a list of their 5 "favorites".  The most attractive part of these plans is that the favorites can be in any network, or even a landline, offering less restrictive guidelines and greater freedom in using free calling time. Users are even allowed to change their favorites list monthly and for those with a family plan, the various members of the family can have their own personal favorites list providing additional flexibility.

Cell phone plans in the US often require commitments of two years and are a significant expense for users.  However, with the proliferation of plans which offer unlimited nights and weekends, free nationwide long distance and now the introduction of plans with free incoming calls and unlimited calling to lists of frequent contacts, some cell phone plans in the US may offer more economical choices which their overseas cousins may envy.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.

Cell phone plans in the US generally require a commitment of 2 years from consumers. The primary advantages of being under such plans are the lower cost per minute of talk time that is available to users as well as the significant discount in the cost of the phone they receive.  In many instances, the cell phone itself may be completely cost free for those committing to a plan.

For many years however consumers have voiced concerns about some of the more negative aspects of committing to cell phone plans in this country. One complaint has been the difficulty they face when they wish to change carriers prior to the end of the plan contract. When a user finds that a particular carrier does not provide the level of quality service or the features that they need, they run into barriers when they attempt to change.

Luckily, one of the issues related to switching providers was abated in 2004 when local number portability became the norm. Prior to this time, consumers had to drop their current number and pick up a new one when switching providers.  Now however, consumers can contact their current carrier to begin the process of switching their current number over to a new local carrier and incur only a small charge.  Gone are the headaches of notifying everyone of a change in number.

Of course, terminating a current contract and changing providers entails a number of other problems however.  Probably the one creating the most angst is that anytime a contract is ended prematurely, the cellular provider generally charges a flat termination fee.  This fee, often to the tune of $150 to $250 is reportedly assessed to allow the provider to cover the cost they incurred in providing the cell phone at a significant discount.  Consumers have argued that the fee is exorbitant; particularly for those who have had the contract and paid their monthly bills for a year or more prior to attempting a change over. It would seem that the cellular provider in these instances would have had time to recoup most of the initial cost that was incurred by providing the cell phone itself.

Recently, it appears that calls from consumers to allow greater flexibility with cell phone plans aren't falling on deaf ears and may spell relief from the issue of flat termination fees across the industry.  During 2006, Verizon made some initial steps by changing their policy related to flat termination fees when customers decide they need to switch carriers.  Under their new policy, consumers pay a pro-rated fee which decreases the longer they have the phone/plan.  Certainly, a move by an industry leader to base termination fees on the amount of time remaining in the contract is a strong shove for other carriers to follow suit. And in fact, nearly a year later, AT&T decided to make a similar move by instituting the pro-rated termination fee. It is anticipated that other carriers will follow resulting in greater flexibility on this issues across the industry.

While it appears likely that moves to make termination fees more reasonable will become the norm based on competition among cellular providers, the US Senate may be a driving force that assures all carriers institute such policies. A measure known as the Cell Phone Empowerment Act is now being considered by the Senate. It includes a number of consumer protection measures such as requiring providers to pro-rate early termination fees by reducing such fees by 50% after the first year of the contract is fulfilled. Providers would also be required to eliminate fees other than those required by local, state, and federal government. The measure also mandates that providers communicate more clearly about changes to a contract and allows consumers 30 days to cancel such services. In addition, there are provisions to assure consumers can get their hands on information to make good choices when initially selecting cell phone plans. For instance providers would be required to provide coverage maps to consumers and the FCC would make data available to the public related to dropped calls and coverage gaps for all cellular services.

With recent policy changes from some cellular providers and the proposed actions of the Senate, the move toward allowing consumers greater flexibility in switching the provider of their cell phone plans and making the process less painful appears to be well underway and will hopefully become a concern of the past.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.

Whether a consumer is new to the world of cell phone plans or simply trying to select the best plan to control their costs, understanding the minutes involved is key. Matching the number of "free minutes" in a cell phone plan to an individual's usage is the primary factor in avoiding extra fees and in assuring that the monthly bill is not higher than necessary.

If there are too few minutes in a given cell phone plan, the user may routinely exceed the plan limit and pay a high per minute rate for the extra talk time.  If all of the available minutes are not used however, a plan with fewer minutes, and potentially a lower monthly charge, could save the user significantly.

To be able to really understand cell phone plans and make comparisons, consumers need to understand the common terminology related to the all important minutes described in the plan.

• Anytime Minutes:  The anytime minutes in a cell phone plan cost nothing beyond the monthly fee. They include all calls received or placed Monday through Friday during the day time; generally considered peak times.  The hours included in this time frame can vary somewhat by plan so reading the details of the plan can be important.
  
  Any minutes used which exceed the allotment of anytime minutes are generally significantly more expensive.  For instance, given an allotment of 500 anytime minutes the monthly fee might be $39.99 which averages out to just under 8 cents per minute.  Minutes which exceed the plan however could run as high as $0.35 or $0.40 per minute. In addition, some plans charge roaming and long distance fees on minutes which exceed the plan, which may not be charged on anytime minutes within the same plan.
  
  It is important to remember that the anytime minutes include minutes used to both place and receive calls in most cell phone plans in the US.  There are some exceptions with specific plans which offer "free incoming" and free calling among a core group of frequently called numbers.

• Night and Weekend Minutes: If a cell phone plan includes night and weekend minutes there is no additional cost for these minutes and they do not consume the anytime minutes.  In many cell phone plans, these night and weekend minutes are unlimited while others offer a set amount of time.  These minutes are used during off peak times; generally between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday.  Again, the specific hours included as night and weekend minutes are defined in the plan.

• Shared Minutes:  Many families share a cell phone plan.  Shared minutes allow them to use a common pool of anytime minutes.  In many instances, this is more economical and certainly more efficient than having and monitoring separate plans for each individual. Shared minutes are also used by businesses which can use a single plan for multiple employees.

• Roll-Over Minutes:  Cell phone use from month to month can vary somewhat of course.  A cell phone plan that allows roll-over minutes offers the advantage of rolling over anytime minutes that are not used throughout the month.  There are still limits however, as to how long the rolled over minutes will remain available so knowing the plan details is important to avoid losing unused minutes.

• Mobile-to-Mobile Minutes:  Mobile to mobile minutes include calls within the same network; for instance, a call from a Sprint customer to another Sprint customer.  Although it is unlikely everyone a user calls will be within the same network, this can still be a significant cost savings when signing up with a cellular provider that offers a large customer base or includes many of the people an individual calls frequently. 
  
  One twist on the mobile-to-mobile concept offers free calling to a select group of numbers identified by the user.  Some T-Mobile plans for instance allow users to identify five frequently called numbers and provides free calling within that group.  The five numbers can change monthly and can be different for the various members of a family that share minutes within a cell phone plan.

Although there is quite a lot of detail related to minute charges within cell phone plans, knowing this information can do a lot to control the monthly cost of such services when the rules of the specific policy are followed to get the most out of "free" calling.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.

Your land line gives you excellent call quality. Your cell phone offers mobility and cost savings on long distance via a cell phone plan with huge pools of anytime minutes, free long distance, and weekend calling. Too bad your best option for economical long distance calling is hindered by a poor cellular signal inside of your home. For many, this is the reality of multiple telephone communication options; each has distinct advantages but none possess all of the qualities that make life simple. Others however, have discovered some options that make integrating their wired and wireless phones a reality.

The first option is in the form of a cordless phone that allows the user to make or receive cellular calls. These phones make the connection with your cell phone either through a dock for the cellular phone or the Bluetooth feature. Users are able to bring their cell phone into the home and receive all incoming calls to that line on their landline phone. In the instance of long distance calls, this gives them the advantage of a reliable signal and the cost savings of their cell phone plan. It also allows the option of conference calling or allowing multiple family members to be on the line at the same time during a call. An additional benefit of using the landline for cellular calls while at home is that it can help to preserve the cell phone battery as it is not used during longer calls taken while at home

With the docking station, the cell phone must be inserted into the dock for the system to function; however, it can be recharged during this time.  For phones that use Bluetooth to make the connection, the cell phone must simply be in the nearby vicinity; usually within about 30 feet.  In either case, the user can decide whether to make an individual call via cellular or landline by simply selecting the corresponding line.

Several manufacturers offer cordless phones which make the cellular connection.  Motorola, RCA, and Panasonic are among some of these makers.

For those who already own a cordless phone there is a second option.  There are docking stations that can be purchased to allow their existing cell phone and cordless phone to make this connection. The most popular is the Dock-N-Talk which uses a Bluetooth connection.  For those without a Bluetooth enabled phone, an adapter is available to allow the unit to function with such cell phones.

Certainly, cordless phones which can accept your cell phone calls can be a step toward optimizing the advantages of cellular and landline communication options. This simple step in integrating the two can result in a significant cost saving for most families.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.

Many consumers have had the experience of hearing a sales pitch and being sufficiently impressed to purchase the goods or services, only to find that the reality was somewhat less than anticipated. When the purchase involves a device or service that we tend to rely on daily, and which potentially binds us to that service for years to come, this can be a very bitter pill to swallow. With cell phone plans that typically span two years, buyers need to be sure that the service as well as the phone itself will meet their expectations.

Smart shopping up front can certainly go a long way in assuring that consumers get the cell phone and service that they expect. Assuring that the cellular provider has adequate coverage in areas where an individual needs to routinely place or receive calls can help reduce the likelihood that dropped calls and gaps in coverage are problematic. Such issues are one of the most frequent reasons cited by dissatisfied customers who wish to terminate a cell phone plan early.

Reading the written contract is also critical to assure the service offered is as the sales person describes it.  Despite what any sales person may say, it is the written contract that will determine what service the cellular provider can be held responsible for providing.  Realizing, for instance, that roaming fees are added on to a frequently called long distance number only after an exorbitant bill is received, can be a painful experience. The wise consumer also keeps a copy of the contract on hand just in case discrepancies arise later.

However, even with a significant amount of investigation the experience of using a particular cell phone plan can still fail to meet the customer's expectations. Coverage may be available in a given area but the quality of the call may be poor.  The phone itself may not perform well. The pricing for some calling features may be significantly different than what the consumer understood them to be during the sales process.

Because of the potential for such discrepancies in expectations versus realities, it is extremely critical for consumers to make full use of the assessment period they are allowed with most cell phone plans.  Assuring that the plan purchased allows a 14-30 day trial period in which the phone can be returned or the plan can be cancelled without termination fees should be a factor in selecting the service. Again, this cancellation policy should be in written form within the contract.

Consumers should fully assess their new cell phone plan during the initial period to assure that it will meet their ongoing needs. Are calls of acceptable quality? Are calls dropped? Does the phone perform as expected? Users should also keep track of charges. Checking the bill online is possible in many instances rather than waiting for it to arrive in the mail. Certainly all problems can't be identified in such a short period of time, but many can. The critical first few weeks of a new cell phone plan are often all consumers have to allow them to assess and terminate if needed without penalties.

To assure the process of cancellation and return of the cell phone goes smoothly in the event that this is necessary, consumers should maintain any receipts, a copy of the contract, and the original packaging for the cell phone.  A phone in good condition and timely adherence to the time line offered by the contract's cancellation policy will help assure that there are no termination penalties incurred.

Certainly, consumers can terminate cell phone plans early but not without significant penalties.  Options also exist online that allow disgruntled cell phone plan owners to identify others willing to assume their current plan, but again these options are not completely cost or risk free.

Although there is no current legislation to provide other recourse to consumers who have legitimate issues with their cellular service, there are some signs that the future may bring additional protection.  In Washington State, for instance, legislation is currently being considered to allow consumers to terminate cell phone plan contracts without financial penalty when they experience excessive dropped calls or gaps in coverage. For the time being however, consumers need to make use of the one primary means of assuring that they get the service they anticipate: the cancellation policy within the contract that allows them a window of time to assess and terminate if necessary.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.

The history of the cell phone has seen an evolution from simple communication devices to the smartphones that are prevalent today. With these more advanced cousins of the original cell phone, internet capabilities such as text messaging and web browsing, audio and video playback, and the ability to sync up with a PC have been added to their work load. For busy consumers who want to increase their connectivity and productivity, a smartphone is an excellent option to provide the access and tools that are needed.

Once the decision is made to move up to a smartphone however, purchasing a web enabled cell phone is only the first step in the process of getting started. Cell phones operate in conjunction with a voice plan from a cellular provider; when using such a device for internet related functions, the user must have a data plan to make the appropriate connection.

When considering a data plan for a cell phone there are a number of details to consider:

• What functions will be used?
  
  Users need to carefully consider what functions they will be needing. Some data plans allow e-mail functions only, providing the benefit of a lower monthly cost. Other plans allow users to send and receive e-mail via their cell phone, access the internet, download games, music, video, sync with their PC to access various software applications, and perform a variety of other functions.
  
  Users also want to be sure they know what web access they will be allowed via their data plan.  Some plans allow access to selected sites only while others provide unlimited access. Some data plans allow internet access via cell phone but not on a laptop when tethered to a cell phone acting as a modem. The data plan will need to match up with how the individual wishes to use the service.

• Is the coverage sufficient?
  
  Just as with a voice plan, users should check to assure that the coverage through the data plan will be sufficient for their location and in other locations where they will commonly need to access the service through their cell phone. In some instances, the quality or speed of the connection can vary from location to location.

• What is the cost of the data service plan?
  
  Cell phone owners are charged a monthly fee for their data plan.  Users pay for data plans through either the amount of data used or the time spent on the service. Data use fees may be based on a predetermined amount of data transmitted and received over the course of a month or may be "unlimited".  
  
  Plans which charge a set fee for a prescribed amount of data transfer may be economical if use of the service is very limited and consists primarily of e-mails and text documents.  However, in many instances, unlimited plans that set no limit on the number of megabytes used in a month are often a safer option. As an example, a plan with limited data transfer may allow 5MB per month but receiving a single MP3 music file could consume 3-4MB alone. Just as with voice plans, it is expensive to exceed the data plan limits; average $.06 per kilobyte.
  
  As mentioned above, rather than charging for the amount of data transfer, some cellular providers draw from voice plan minutes to cover time spent on the web. Individual users would need to carefully assess whether or not the consumption of additional voice time would be the best option for them.

Because our cell phone typically accompanies us everywhere, unwanted calls to them take on a particularly annoying and sometimes frightening tone. Errant telemarketing calls or spam in the form of text messages can interrupt at inopportune times and can carry a charge to the receiver either in the form of minutes or cash. On the other hand, harassing calls can be not only inconvenient but threatening as well.  Questions regarding how to reduce or eliminate unwanted calls to a cell phone are one of the most frequent topics presented to customer support forums in the cellular industry.

Certainly there are steps that all cell phone owners can take to combat the intrusion and expense of unwanted calls and text messages as well as additional safeguards that are specific to individual cell phone models. Becoming familiar with the protective features offered via the cellular provider is easy via their website in most cases. Reviewing the manual for a specific cell phone will also inform customers of any functions that may allow them to bar calls and messages or limit their intrusion.

A few of the common precautions and suggestions include:

·        Protect cell phone numbers from spam. Avoid giving out cell phone numbers but when it is necessary become aware of the privacy policy of the businesses to which such information is provided. Clearly it is best to avoid providing a cell phone number to a business that would possibly sell the information to potential spammers.

Be aware when ordering or signing up for newsletters, downloads, and so forth that users may be agreeing to receive calls or messages from the company in the future; thus, be sure to uncheck any boxes indicating  agreement to receive these intrusions if they are not wanted.

Another important measure to avoid spam is to get on the "Do Not Call" list; register cell phone numbers at donotcall.gov. 

·        If a user is receiving excessive spam, they should contact their cellular provider to see how the company can assist. If the sender of unwanted text messages is known, in some instances they can be added to a "block list" for the user which is managed through the cellular providers' website. The cellular company should also reverse any charges for spam received.

·        Many cell phones, particularly smartphones, allow users to block "private" or unknown callers which would encompass most spammers. Check the manual for instructions on how to program this feature. Another option is to program the phone to have all "private" or unknown callers assigned a silent ringtone that will not disturb the user, and thus the call will roll to voicemail from where it can later be deleted. Other cell phones allow users to program it to send all incoming calls to voicemail unless the caller is on their contact list. This final option can also be very useful if the user is receiving harassing phone calls.

·        Various cell phones have filtering capabilities; users simply need to become acquainted with the options available for their phone.  For instance, some can block international calls, or calls when roaming, to avoid excessive charges. Some smartphones allow users to block specific numbers which is particularly effective when receiving harassing phone calls.

·        When steps have been taken to eliminate spam received on a cell phone but it persists, it is wise to contact the FCC.  Although they cannot deal with individual consumer complaints, they can act to issue citations to violators of the "Do Not Call" list and other related legislation. In extreme cases, it is possible of course to disable the text message function altogether via the cellular provider.

·        If harassing calls to a cell phone continue, both the police and the cellular provider should be contacted.  Reports should be filed and information regarding the date, time, and content of the calls need to be kept. In extreme cases, changing the cell phone number is advisable.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.

The cell phone has permeated daily life.  True to its intended purpose it has a primary role in staying connected to family and friends.  As its design has become more complex and diverse functions added, the role of the cell phone in our lives has grown: keeping users informed via internet access and entertained through viewing video clips, playing games, and taking pictures. As it was designed to do, it has become well integrated into our routines.

It seems clear that the cell phone or its descendants are here to stay with us for quite some time as it continues to add convenient multitasking features that rapidly become indispensable for users. It seems likely that using a cell phone in lieu of a credit card, rather than a separate GPS device, or instead of an MP3 player is not far ahead.  The future of stand alone cameras and camcorders also appears somewhat dimmed by the constantly upgraded abilities of the device. It is even possible that the cell phone will seriously encroach on the realm of the personal PC.  With its portability and lower cost, it is used more frequently than PCs to browse the web in many countries and could potentially do the same in the US.

However, the role of the cell phone in the future may be even larger; larger than its designers even imagined.

The cell phone is a powerful device because of its portability and the number of them scattered across the globe. As it has picked up internet capabilities and video capture, it has the ability to record and dispense information rapidly. Every cell phone owner now has the potential of recording the events they observe and sharing that information almost immediately with audiences practically anywhere on the planet.

The world of law enforcement, for instance, is not one in which the designers of the cell phone probably anticipated their creations would venture.  However, incidents in recent years have pointed out the unique qualifications of a cell phone to play a role in crime prevention and investigation. The image capture and texting capabilities have been particularly useful.

The world has had its first view of disasters, accidents, and alerts to crimes in progress, such as hostage situations, thanks to these devices. In addition, the cell phone is capable of providing a record of more detailed information than is often available through eye witnesses alone.    The information offered by a cell phone in the right place at the right time has been so useful that some authorities are hoping to upgrade the 911 system to accept their video images directly.

Another unexpected stage for the cell phone is entertainment.  Certainly designers purposely added viewing capabilities but the potential role of cell phones in creating photographic and film documentaries and entertainment was not likely envisioned originally.  In conjunction with the internet and the growing popularity of "user generated content", the photography and video images from cell phones have found their way onto the national and international stage  providing content for purposes as diverse as entertainment, education, editorial comment,  and news. The landscape and direction of the internet has been altered based on the popularity of sites such as Flickr and other user generated content sites which thrive on submissions that are, in part, generated by cell phones.

Even the older medium of television may experience the infiltration of the cell phone. With stations such as Current TV which provides 30% of its programming based on user generated content, it is likely that the cell phone will be used to provide news and documentary shorts created by producer/viewers who have cell phones readily at their disposal. Certainly the cell phone medium could offer a much different and innovative type of programming by providing a more immediate and unbiased representation of events.

With roles emerging in law enforcement, emergency response, and the creation of entertainment, education, and news pieces, the role of the cell phone appears to be advancing while designers and the rest of the world try to keep up.  It appears that the capabilities of the future cell phone may be directed by the device itself and its natural evolution.

Return to the Articles Directory or the Home Page.