| There are now more than 190 million cell-phone | | | | your contact list, and even dial a number not in |
| subscribers, more than one per household, on | | | | the list by speaking the digits. |
| average. A small but steadily growing number of | | | | In addition to ringing, most handsets have a |
| people use a cell phone (a.k.a. a mobile phone) as | | | | vibrating alert or a flashing light-emitting diode to |
| their only phone. Phone manufacturers and | | | | let you know about an incoming call, useful when |
| wireless-service providers are promoting new | | | | you're in a meeting or at the movies. Handiest is |
| generations of equipment that let users do much | | | | an easy-to-mute ringer, which switches from ring |
| more than merely make phone calls. | | | | to vibrate when you press and hold one key. |
| Despite its popularity, wireless service has a | | | | Volume controls on the side let you change the |
| reputation for problems: dead zones, where you | | | | earpiece volume level without moving the phone |
| can't get service; calls that inexplicably end in | | | | too far from your ear. You can't do that if the |
| midconversation; inadequate capacity, so you can't | | | | volume controls are on the keypad. A |
| put a call through when you want; hard-to-fathom | | | | speakerphone boosts the earpiece volume and |
| calling plans; and errors in bills. Problems like those | | | | microphone sensitivity, so you carry on a |
| are why one-third of the cell-phone users we've | | | | conversation without having the phone against |
| surveyed say they're seriously considering a | | | | your ear. |
| switch of carrier. | | | | Some cell-phone models include a headset. That |
| Switching is now much easier than ever, thanks | | | | capability is sometimes demanded by various local |
| to the government mandate on local number | | | | laws for drivers using cell phones. A standard |
| portability. However, keep in mind that the phones | | | | headset connector (also known as a 2.5-mm |
| themselves aren't portable. If you switch carriers, | | | | connector) is the most common type of headset |
| expect to buy a new phone. | | | | connector. If you frequently use headsets but |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | hate fussing with cords, consider a phone with |
| The cell-phone itself is only part of what you | | | | Bluetooth voice capability, which allows you to use |
| need. You also have to sign up for service with a | | | | a cordless headset. Not all phones with Bluetooth |
| wireless provider and choose a calling plan. You | | | | are equal. Bluetooth data lets you transfer |
| can find phones in many outlets, including | | | | pictures and contacts, etc. to other |
| independent wireless retailers, electronics stores, | | | | Bluetooth-enable devices like printers, PDAs, and |
| and Web sites. | | | | computers. Bluetooth data capability is found on |
| The providers. The major national companies are | | | | GSM phones, but no on CDMA phones. |
| Cingular (which merged with AT&T Wireless), | | | | Many CDMA phones have analog backup |
| Nextel, Sprint PCS (which is in the process of | | | | capability, which may be important if you travel |
| merging with Nextel), T-Mobile, and Verizon | | | | through rural areas, or places where your digital |
| Wireless. There are also numerous local or regional | | | | carrier doesn't provide service. Phones with analog |
| providers. | | | | capability can sometimes connect in places where |
| You'll often find phones described as tri-mode, | | | | digital-only phones cannot. |
| dual-band, tri-band, or multi network. Those terms | | | | Phones vary widely in keypad design and |
| describe the ways a phone can connect to one or | | | | readability of screen displays, as well as in the |
| more wireless networks. Here are the specifics: | | | | ease of using the function menu or performing |
| * Tri-mode phones can access a digital network in | | | | such basic tasks as one-button redial and storage |
| two frequency bands and older analog wireless | | | | of frequently called numbers for speed-dialing |
| networks. | | | | later. It's important to handle a phone in the store |
| * Dual-band phones can connect to a digital | | | | before you buy, to be sure its design and your |
| network, but in two different frequency bands. | | | | fingers are well-matched. |
| GSM providers often use the term 850/1900 MHz | | | | HOW TO CHOOSE |
| instead of dual-band. | | | | Begin by selecting a service. Finding good service |
| * Multinetwork phones are compatible with more | | | | where you want it can be a challenge. The best |
| than one digital network, often in two frequency | | | | way is to ask your friends and business |
| bands. Some can also access analog networks. | | | | associates--people who literally travel the same |
| * Tri-band or 'World Phones' operate on GSM | | | | roads you do--how satisfied they are with their |
| networks in both the U.S. and abroad. Those with | | | | cell-phone service. In addition, keep in mind that |
| 850/1800/1900 MHz capability can operate on | | | | Verizon Wireless has consistently come in first in |
| two bands domestically and one internationally. | | | | Consumer Reports satisfaction surveys and so is |
| Those with 900/1800/1900 MHz capability operate | | | | worth considering first. |
| on one band in the U.S. (1900 MHz) and two | | | | Choose a calling plan. You need to determine |
| bands internationally. | | | | when and where you'll be using a cell phone most |
| The calling plans. Most providers offer a range of | | | | in order to select a plan that's right for you. As a |
| plans based around a "bucket" of calling time | | | | rule, a national calling plan (which typically eliminates |
| minutes. The more minutes in the bucket, the | | | | extra long-distance charges or fees for "roaming" |
| more the plan costs you each month. However, | | | | away from your home calling area) is worth |
| the total number of minutes isn't the most | | | | considering first, even if you don't travel often. |
| important figure. Some of those minutes may be | | | | With a regional plan, roaming charges can be stiff |
| good anytime, others available only on nights and | | | | if you make calls too far away from your home. |
| weekends; if you exceed the allotment of | | | | If two or more family members use cell phones, |
| minutes, you'll be charged 35 to 50 cents per | | | | consider a family plan that lets up to four people |
| minute, depending on the plan. Cingular, alone | | | | share a large monthly pool of minutes for a small |
| among the major carriers, lets customers roll | | | | additional monthly charge. If you aren't sure how |
| over unused minutes to the next month. Most | | | | many minutes of phone time you'll use in a |
| plans require you to sign a one- or two-year | | | | month, choose a plan with more minutes than |
| contract and levy a hefty fee if you want to | | | | you think you will use. It's often better to let |
| cancel before the contract expires. | | | | minutes go unused than to have to pay stiff |
| Prepaid plans can be a good alternative if you're | | | | per-minute charges if you exceed your allotment. |
| averse to a long-term contract. Many wireless | | | | Select a phone. You can spend as little as $20 or |
| providers, as well as Virgin Mobile, Liberty | | | | as much as $600 on a cell phone. You need to |
| Wireless, Metro PCS, and Tracfone, offer prepaid | | | | begin your selection in the right price tier. Once |
| calling. You pay in advance for airtime minutes, | | | | you've settled on a price range, follow these |
| which typically last 45 to 60 days before they | | | | steps: |
| expire. | | | | First look for practical features. Cameras, games, |
| The phones. Some are simple rectangles with a | | | | music players, and the like are appealing, fun, and |
| display window and keypad on the front. Others | | | | even useful for some people. However, features |
| are curvaceous or have a flip-open cover to | | | | such as a folding case, volume controls on the |
| protect the keys. The major phone | | | | side, and an easy-to-mute ringer will prove useful |
| manufacturers are Audiovox, Kyocera, LG, | | | | every day. |
| Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, Sanyo, and | | | | Hold the phone. In the store, take the phone in |
| Sony-Ericsson. Light weight is pretty much | | | | your hand and make sure you can comfortably |
| standard. All the newer phones can send and | | | | access most keys with one hand. Try to make a |
| receive text messages up to 160 characters long | | | | test call and access the menu items on a working |
| to or from any other cell-phone user, and most | | | | demo. We've found that phones with radical |
| phones now come with a full-color display. You'll | | | | shapes are difficult to use. So are keys that are |
| also see phones that can play popular computer | | | | small, oddly shaped, or arranged in unusual |
| games, are integrated with a digital camera, offer | | | | patterns, especially if you're trying to dial a |
| wireless Internet access, or that are combined | | | | number in dim light. |
| with a personal digital assistant (PDA). | | | | Check the display. Most color screens perform |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | well in dim light, but some are hard to see in |
| Some cell-phone makers and service providers | | | | daylight. Try the phone outside or under bright |
| are offering so-called 3G service, which enhances | | | | light. In our tests, phones that display incoming |
| the speed of data transfer. 3G services deliver | | | | and outgoing numbers with large black fonts |
| reasonably fast, secure connections to the | | | | against a white background were the easiest to |
| Internet and allow you to use the cell phone for | | | | read under most conditions. Also make sure |
| playing and downloading audio and video, | | | | indicators such as battery life and signal strength |
| multimedia messages, and e-mail. | | | | are clearly visible. |
| Among basic cell-phone features, look for a | | | | Consider insuring pricey phones. All major carriers |
| display that is readable in both low- and bright-light | | | | provide insurance that covers lost, stolen, or |
| conditions. Be sure it's easy to see the battery-life | | | | damaged phones, typically for about $4 to $5 a |
| and signal-strength indicators and the number | | | | month, with a $35 to $50 deductible. At those |
| you're dialing. The keypad should be clearly | | | | rates, it wouldn't pay to insure a low-priced phone. |
| marked and easy to use. Programmable speed | | | | But if you paid $200 or more, then insurance may |
| dial allows you to recall stored names and | | | | be worth considering. Some insurance plans |
| numbers by pressing one key. Single-key | | | | require a police report. Damaged phones are |
| last-number redial is useful for dropped calls or | | | | replaced, often with a refurbished model |
| when you're having trouble connecting. Most | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of |
| phones these days have voice dial, which lets you | | | | U.S., Inc. |
| dial someone's phone number by speaking their | | | | For the latest information on this and many other |
| name. But the number and name have to be in | | | | products and services, visit |
| your phone's contact list, and you have to | | | | Find More |
| program each voice dial name--a time-consuming | | | | Cell Phone with Easy Deal at |
| process. Voice command-enabled phones don't | | | | . |
| require training. You can dial anyone's number in | | | | |