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How to buy a cellphone
CELLPHONES are commonplace these days. You would think buying a cell phone is really easy — and yes, it is. What is not to easy is deciding on the one that best suited to your needs and your pocket. The following pointers will be a big help when you go mobile phone shopping.
1. Understand cell phones: What makes cell phones different from land-based lines is that they transmit by radio waves, and therefore rely on these big antennae that are strewn about all over the place — even in some villages now! Cellular, by the way, refers to the interconnection of these radio fields around those antennae. As you move from field to field, it is like moving from cell to cell in one big organism.
You really cannot choose your phone until you completely know which type of phone you want and then choose a service plan. This is because you may need to buy a phone from the company that may be providing you phone connection services as well; this way who knows they present you with a free set (just kiddin). Okay, first of all, let’s find out about types of phones available in the market.
Varieties
Analog phones: Analog is the original cell phone type. The sound quality is not the sharpest, and the minute rates tend to be higher than the alternative. It is recommend that you forget about analog phones and go with a digital or PCs. Coming up!
Digital phones: These have better signals, and cheaper call rates. Batteries tend to last longer as well (because the phones require less power). Now that you’ve made up your mind on which phone to buy, here’s the next step:
2. Additional features
Dual mode phones: These are really cool phones that can automatically switch between digital and analog. When you are in range of digital antennae, they go with that, and as you move out, they automatically utilize the analog lines.
Battery life: When you choose a phone, you should consider how long it can last on standby (turned on, but not in use), and how much talk time you have before recharging. Many believe it is a good idea to invest in a second battery, so you can always have one charging, and a fresh one in the phone at all times.
Remember to ask about the strength of the signals between phones as you shop around. Some phones don’t work while inside buildings. If you’re planning to use the cellphone as your all-utility phone (as many people are increasingly opting), you’ll want a phone with a strong signal.
Weight: The lighter it is, the more pleasant to carry around (and lose) and more expensive.
Size: Smaller the size, the more expensive it will be. But, of course, more fashionable.
Colour: What can be said about this. It indeed is a personal choice. Phones come in several colours from chrome to emerald to basic black. If this is an important consideration to you, your priorities are messed up. However, the good news is that you need not be stuck with one colour all your life. You can buy different colour casings for ranging from Rs50 to Rs1500.
3. Choose a service plan: Determine where you will use your phone. Some plans focus on giving you a good deal if you stay in a certain area, and only make local calls. Other plans allow more leeway for travel and long distance calls, by giving you a less expensive rate for long distance, while ignoring where your calls are made from and who you are calling.
Most of you must have heard the phrase “roaming,” which comes into action when you make a call outside your local service area (in simple words, the city where you bought your account from). In case you happen to go out of your city, your service will go on roaming, which forces an additional charge for the service. More and more companies are now providing plans with no roaming charges, so it may be a good idea to check the policy of the plan you are interested in to see how it is addressed.
The bottom line is, when you buy a cell phone, you will need to contact a service provider for connection. Here is a list of service operators:
— Ufone (0333)
— Mobilink (0300)
— Instaphone (0320)
— Paktel (0303)
Now, some service operators are offering web browsing as part of their service plan. You need to make sure that your cell phone is internet compatible before you choose this option. If you are the type of person who has to know the latest sports scores and stock quotes no matter where you are, then you might want to get web access as part of your service plan. If you sign up for web access, you will get a certain number of messages or updates that you get to choose. For instance, you want latest report on stock position, you can set up an update to post you of the stock fluctuations. The same applies to news related to sports, weather, and even your horoscope.
You can also browse the web just like on your computer, save for the fact that there are no graphics, and the cell phone does not support all websites, such as those with Shockwave. While you’re browsing, you’ll be eating up minutes of your plan though, so be careful not to get too wound up in the web.
4. Choose your accessories: Pick your phone, see if the phones in your price range include features that you want. Some of questions that you can ask about the features are:
— Number storage: Does the phone hold an address book of frequently called numbers. If so, how many numbers?
— Voice mail: Does it include the ability for callers to leave voice messages?
— Text messaging: Does it have an option for callers to leave text messages? (Text messaging is a service that callers can choose where they speak a message, and it is typed verbatim by the service, and appears on your screen.)
— Fax: Can you hook up your phone and send faxes?
— Caller ID: Can you see the number of the person who called when they called?
— Paging: Can your phone double up as a pager?
— Call waiting: Does it have it?
— Conference calling: Does it have it?
— Email: Can you hook a computer up to your phone and get internet/email access?
Now that you know the ABCs of mobile phones, it’s time to hit the shops.
The writer
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