How to choose a Cellular Plan that suits you:
Now that you have chosen the cellular service that suits you, you need to chose a cellular calling plan that matches your requirements. So just exactly how do you chose a cost effective calling plan? For example, a customer who uses a cell phone close to home and mainly after peak hours and on weekends, needs a very different plan from a person who calls England everyday, any time of day, and family members who want to stay in touch need a very different plan altogether. Remember the cheapest cellular plan is not necessarily the best calling plan.

Advertising hoardings and billboards along our roads and around our shopping centers shout about the hundred's of free minutes you will get on the advertiser's calling plans. It is imperative that you read the small print, and find out exactly when those minutes apply and where you face extra charges. Most cellular phone plans expect a minimum of a one year contract and may include a large termination or early termination fee.

Before choosing your cellular phone plan, you should carefully evaluate the following aspects. Anytime minutes:- This represents the number of minutes you get using your phone anytime of the day, even during peak hours. (Typically peak hours are from 7 in the morning till 7 at night). If you use your cell phone around the clock, you should then choose a plan that has a generous number of 'anytime minutes. As a general rule, the more anytime minutes included in the basic monthly charge, the better.

Off peak, night and weekend minutes:-
If you can wait till after peak calling hours or mostly only use your cell phone at night or on weekends, then you want a plan that includes lots of 'off peak' minutes. Many calling plans even inexpensive ones, offer a high number of night and weekend minutes. Typical ranges are from 300 to 900 off peak minutes. Several of the better packages available offer unlimited usage. Ensure you verify when these 'night time minutes' apply. Night time minutes don't necessarily start applying at sunset and stop at sunrise. Ask your service provider for the exact time range applicable to your off peak minutes. For example, AT&T Wireless and Verizon night time minutes only apply after 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning , whereas Cingular night time period ends at 7 a.m. You should also verify what the surcharge is if you exceed your allotted time of free minutes. In other words check, how much you pay per minute if your call runs over limit either on the total allotted time or enters a peak time zone. Typical off peak minutes cost between 20 to 60 cents, depending on the plan.

Instant Messaging and SMS:-
SMS stand for simple message system. You type in a message and transmit to another phone. The costs for this are considerably cheaper than mobile talk minutes. Carriers are quoting separate rate for SMS and instant messaging

Area bases:-
There are three area based plans in the U.S.A. You can choose between Local, Regional and National. If you never call out of your own city, choose a local plan. If you generally call within your state choose a regional plan and if you call throughout the U.S.A. then choose a national plan. Make sure you choose the right one for you, because if you choose local and you start calling nationally, the chances are you are in for a surprise at the end of the month.

Billing increments:-
A billing increment is the time interval for which you accrue charges. Typically you get charged per minute or per second. You need to have this information. Generally the shorter the billing increment the more cost effective the phone plan. For example if you make a 1min 3 second and you are billed by the minute you will be charged for 2 minutes.

Tricks and Traps:-
Some cellular providers charge you for calls when you press the call button and not when the person at the other end answers. Similarly cellular providers have been known to continue to bill for a few seconds after you press the end button. Some are known to charge for unanswered calls if you let the phone ring for more than 30 seconds. This ends up adding a little every time you call which may seem an insignificant amount now, but after a hundred calls that is a substantial amount

Family Plans:- If you have a family, check if you can get a family plan: This plan lets a family buy a certain amount of minutes, for a cheaper rate,and then pool them between the family on several different phones. Typically you buy the first phone and minutes and after that you receive a discounted rate on buying more cellular phones for the rest of the family.

Prepaid calling:-
This is an option that makes sure you do not overspend and does not involve a long term contract. It is similar to using a phone card. You buy a phone and then airtime when you need to use your phone. Time is available in specific dollar increments which allow you to phone out for a certain number of minutes depending on the dollar value purchased. Some cell phone providers will allow you to still receive incoming calls for up to two years after your out going minutes have expired. You should check that this facility is available It's most useful if you want a phone just for emergencies or don't want to enter into a contract. Although it doesn't offer extra features like three way calling, it is a good way to keep track of how much you spend on your phone and so that you don't receive a huge bill at the end of the month that you weren't expecting.

In conclusion you should examine your contract thoroughly before you commit yourself. You may think there is only a monthly charge. More often than not there are small ad-on's; such as paying for directory assistance, text messages, customized ring tones, wireless phone insurance, itemized billing, internet, data transfer which end up being extra's that you are being billed for, sometimes without even knowing it.