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