Frequently Asked Questions about Cell Phones, Cell Phone Service Providers and Cell Phone Service Contracts
Everybody has questions. We'll give you the low down on some of the most frequently asked questions that our customer care experts answer daily. Then you can be the expert!
What are the differences between analog and digital phones?
- Analog cell phones operate by sending and receiving signals in a continuous sound wave; digital phones send and receive messages by converting sounds and voices into numeric code.
- Analog cell phones generally are less expensive than digital phones, but the service is usually more costly.
- Analog phones have shorter talk and standby time than dig-ital phones.
- Analog cell phones offer more complete coverage in rural areas.
- Digital cell phones offer better voice quality.
- Digital cell phones have a longer battery life.
- Many digital cell phones also work on analog networks.
What is the difference between PCS and cellular?
- Phones that operate on a PCS system (personal communications service) use digital technology and offer advanced features like caller ID.
- Cellular phones can use either digital or analog technology, or both.
What is Third Generation?
The Third Generation (3G) mobile devices and services are the next wave. 3G will provide the capacity for online, real-time transfer of information, regardless of time and place. For example, you will be able to send images or participate in live video conferencing by using your 3G mobile communications device.
What is a dual-band phone?
A dual-band phone is a PCS phone (digital) that can operate An analog cellular networks when it is out of range of PCS network antennas.
What battery has the longest life, NiMH or Li-Ion?
Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries tend to offer the longest talk times and standby times in a lightweight package—and tend to be the most expensive. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are the reliable standard that offer average talk times (2 to 5 hours) and standby times (24 to 48 hours).
What is the difference between talk time and standby time?
Talk time is the amount of time you spend conversing on your cell phone, either making outgoing calls or receiving incoming calls. Standby time is the amount of time that you have your cell phone on, but are not actually talking on it. You do not have three hours of talk time and thirty hours of standby time on one battery; you have either three hours maximum to talk or thirty hours maximum to be on standby.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cell Phone Service Rates and Plans
Even after you know all about the different rate plans, services, options, and features regarding your new cell phone service plans you may still have a few questions that you want clarified. If this is he case, you are not alone.
Why is the quality of my cell phone service sometimes inconsistent? .
Your service quality may vary from time to time based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the weather, your distance from a tower, and large obstacles (such as buildings) causing service interference.
Which cell phone carrier has the best signal strength?
It depends. As mentioned earlier, the quality of your service will depend on where you live, work, and play. Your best resources for this question are your friends and family. They can tell you first hand what their experience with a network in your area has been.
What is roaming?
When you use your cell phone outside of your local calling area (as defined by your cell phone carrier), you are roaming on another wire-less carrier's network. Airtime minutes used when roaming are gener-ally not part of your basic calling plan. Check your cell phone carrier’s plan details and coverage maps to determine when you are roaming, and how you are charged for these calls. Most cell phone carriers also send an indicator to your screen display to tell you when you are roaming.
If it is called a nationwide plan, then why are there roaming charges?
Nationwide plans tend to have no roaming charges if you are in a your cell phone carrier's network area. If you wander over to another cell phone carrier's network, then you may incur roaming charges.
Although many of the nationwide cell phone carriers have extensive physical networks built, they don't have every square inch of the United States covered. So you could have a nationwide plan based in New York City, and when you travel to Dallas, San Francisco, and Des Moines, you may have no roaming charges. Then when you take a day trip to rural Pennsylvania, you wind up with roaming charges. It's not how far away you go, but exactly where you go.
What cell phone plans do not charge for roaming?
Find the cell phone plan that covers the areas in which you travel and you will be all set. If you are trying to find a plan that has absolutely no roaming charges ever, then look for a service plan that will work with phones that can work on digital and analog networks, and which states that there are no roaming fees on any network.
How do I know which mode my phone is in?
Your phone display will have an indicator or symbol to show if you are in a digital or analog mode.
What do peak and off-peak hours indicate?
Peak hours refer to the hours of highest cell phone usage, as determined by your cell phone carrier. Typically, peak minutes are billed at a service plan's highest rate. Conversely, off- peak hours refer to the hours of the lowest cell phone usage, and are billed at lower rates.
Peak and off-peak times vary significantly by wireless carrier. Check the details to know for sure. Peak hours typically are between the hours of 7 A.M. and 7 P.M., Monday through Friday. Off-peak hours include the weekends, some holidays, and the hours from 7 P.M. to 7 A.M. during the week.
How do cell phone service providers count anytime minutes versus evening and weekend minutes?
If you call during peak times, you will be using your anytime minutes. If you call during off-peak times, you will be using your evening and weekend minutes. If you call during peak times and talk straight through to off-peak times, the minutes you talk during peak time are count toward your anytime minutes and the minutes you talk during off- peak time automatically switch over to your evening and weekend minutes.
Do I get charged when people call me on my cell phone?
Yes and No. It depends upon your cell phone service provider, like US Cellular has Free incoming calls. Some cell phone carriers offer free incoming calls from within the network, like Cingular. Then there are those that offer free calling between friends and family. But, with most other cell phone service providers you are billed for the amount of airtime minutes that you use, regardless if the call is incoming or outgoing. However, some service providers have a feature that offers a free first minute of incoming calls.
Does it use up my minutes when I call other cell phones?
Sometimes. Some service providers also offer a mobile-to-mobile feature for a monthly fee and some others include that within your plan or offer it Free. This nice benefit allows you free local call to other users of your service provider's wireless phone service. If you call a cell phone on another network, you will be charged the same number of minutes as if you called a regular phone number.
When I call my voice mail am I using my minutes?
It depends on the wireless carrier and the plan. When you call to retrieve your voice mail messages, you may be charged airtime minutes. You will need to read the fine print or call customer service to verify this on a carrier-by-carrier and plan-by-plan basis.
What is considered a long distance call?
A wireless call is considered to be long distance if it is placed to a number outside of your local calling area (which is defined by your service provider). Make sure you're familiar with the boundaries of your cell phone service provider's coverage map and local calling area.
Are toll free number calls free?
No. You will not be charged a long distance charge to call a toll free number; however you will be charged airtime for the minutes you are using your phone to call the toll free number.
What is the farthest I can call from my cell phone?
You can call any phone number around the world with some cell phone carriers, but many restrict international calling. Read the details of the service plan to see if international calling is allowed at all or if t here is an extra monthly fee to allow it.
Can all cellular phones be used worldwide?
No. To be able to place a call while you are outside the United States, you must have a cell phone that is designed for use on the network in the country where you will be traveling. Most countries have some form of cell phone service, but the phone that you use in a country must be compatible with the prevalent technology in that country. For example, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) is most commonly used in Europe and many parts of Asia, and some GSM phones sold in the United States can work on the European and Asian networks.
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More Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions left? The answers are in here somewhere
Can I just keep the phone I have and change plans?
We recommend buying a phone at the same time you buy your plan to be sure that your phone is technologically compatible with your plan. For example, if you currently have an analog phone, but you switch to a digital calling plan, your analog phone will be useless. Also, the phone must be programmed for a specific cell phone provider. So if you switch
cell phone service providers, your previous phone may not work. Check with your cell phone service provider what kind of phone works well with their networks.
Can I change my service plan at any time?
If you purchased your current phone in the past year and you want to switch to a different plan that your current cell phone carrier is offering, you should be able to do that by contacting your cell phone carrier directly. There may be additional fees, depending on the cell phone carrier.
Can I keep my phone number if I move or switch cell phone carriers?
In most cases, Yes you would be able to keep the same phone number if you switch a cell phone service provider, but only if you moved within the same area code—then you may be able to keep the same number.
If I don't like my phone number, can I change it?
Yes. If you do not like your assigned phone number, you can call your wireless carrier and ask for a new phone number. There may be a fee charged for this service, depending on the wireless carrier.
Do I have to sign a cell phone service contract?
Usually, but not always. Although most wireless carriers have a standard one-year contract length, there are cell phone carriers who still have month-to-month services available. If you were on an old contract, and that has expired, you are now on a month-to-month contract. Cell Phone carriers are barred under the law from automatically enrolling you into another contract. They would need to have you sign for a new contract. In most cases, if you do not get a new phone from them or cash back from some kind, you don’t have to sign for a new contract!
Why do I need a credit card to buy a phone?
If you want the convenience of purchasing online (or by phone), you will need a credit card because computers don't take cash. If you don't have a credit card but you are over 18 and don't have bad credit, then you can usually go to a retail store with two forms of ID and get set up.
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