March 8th - 2007

WIRED OFFICE: Cell phone 101: What to look for in a new phone plan

According to Statistics Canada, there are currently more than 16.3 million wireless subscribers across the country. REALTORS® are a significant part of that group with more than 90 per cent indicating that they use a cell phone in NAR’s most recent technology survey.

According to Statistics Canada, there are currently more than 16.3 million wireless subscribers across the country. REALTORS® are a significant part of that group with more than 90 per cent indicating that they use a cell phone in NAR’s most recent technology survey.
 
With all those phones out there and the rate of change in technology, turnover for cellular phones is phenomenal. So is the range of choice available for phones, features and service plans. If you’re planning to buy a new cell phone or upgrade your current one, take time to understand what you’re getting into. Consider this other statistic: cellular phones made the top 10 list of complaints and inquiries received by Ontario's Ministry of Government Services in 2004 and 2005 and cellular phone service and supplies was also the business category for which Better Business Bureaus in Canada processed the most complaints in 2005.
 
What do you need?
If you are using your cell phone for business, chances are you will need a monthly plan with as many minutes as possible. Generally, pre-paid plans are only recommended for people who will be using their cell phones occasionally. Most monthly service plans are for terms of one to up to three years. If you’re wondering how your cell provider can give you that $400 phone for “free” it’s because they are locking you into a long-term contract. Be sure to read the fine print before you sign and decide if you can live with it.
 
When you commit to a contract it means you are obligated to pay for services from that provider for the amount of time specified in the contract. Be sure to ask how much it will cost if you decide to terminate the contract early. Also ask if you can change your monthly plan or upgrade your phone during the contract period free of charge and if doing so begins a whole new contract period.
 
With a monthly plan, you will pay a flat monthly fee for a given amount of minutes each month. In the most common service plans weekday minutes are Monday to Friday between 7 am and 9 pm; weekday evening minutes are Monday to Friday between 9 pm and 7 am; and weekend minutes are from Friday evening at 9pm until Monday morning at 7 am. But these time periods may vary by provider and evenings or weekends may start at different times. Have your provider spell out the exact times for you. Sometimes you can choose an “early evening” option for an additional fee, where the evening starts earlier than 9pm.
 
Keep in mind the total cost for your service each month will also include a monthly fee to connect you to the network, a 911 service fee as well as taxes and, if you exceed the amount of monthly minutes set by the plan, or make long distance calls that will cost extra as well.
 
When choosing your minutes package be prepared to ask some detailed questions because as this sample service plan wording from Canada’s Office of Consumer Affairs demonstrates – it can be confusing: “Airtime package: 200 minutes during the day and unlimited calls weekend evenings. Airtime used for local calls made and received on the expanded network not being part of the airtime included in the monthly package and the unlimited option being subject to the company's fair use policy.” Ask what “expanded network” and “fair use policy” means.
 
Finally, check with your provider to find out their area of coverage to ensure your cell phone will receive calls where you live, work or travel. Choosing a cell phone provider and service plan takes careful consideration. Many people spend more time choosing the style, colour, sounds and features of their phones than they do understanding their commitment to the service provider. Learn more about choosing a cell phone, service plans and how to keep your costs down in “Cell phone choices for Canadians” available on Industry Canada’s Web site at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/oca-bc.nsf/en/ca02270e.html.
 
And if you’re wondering what to do with old cell phones once you’ve updated to the latest and greatest, there are several charitable organizations in Ontario that will recycle your old phone including the Toronto Zoo, the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Charitable Recycling Program. Check out http://www.eco-cell.org/ for more on the program.

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