Choosing a Cellular Provider

Contributed by QuestionSense Editors

What are night, weekend, peak, off-peak and anytime minutes?
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The terms don't mean the same thing to different carriers. Ask yourself when do you use the plan and choose accordingly.
What areas are included in my home region?
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Ask the carrier to show you coverage maps. While they are not required to do this, it is worth asking the question.
Who pays for incoming calls?
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Incoming calls are typically charged against your minutes but some plans offer free incoming calls.
How many minutes are included in the plan?
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What is the price per minute if I exceed the number of minutes allowed by my plan?
What are the roaming charges?
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Carriers usually charge additional per minute fees for calls made from another carrier's network. Some have eliminated these fees in nationwide plans. If you are likely to place calls outside your "home" area, be sure you understand the additional charges and whether you should consider a regional or national plan.
What additional charges may apply?
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Additional services such as directory assistance, Caller ID, voice mail, text messaging, etc., may be included in the monthly charge or may incur additional charges, depending on the plan. A plan may advertise these services as available, but not clearly indicate the additional charges.
Are there charges to begin and end the service?
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Some providers may charge activation fee and assess termination fees to end the service. Ask up front what these charges are likely to be.
Can you provide me an estimate of the taxes, fees and surcharges with typical usage of this phone?
How long in the contract?