Where do you begin when choosing a wireless services carrier? For most people, the two things important are price and coverage. Will you be able to make the calls you need to make where and when you need to make them and is the plan affordable? Is their a penalty for ending your contract early? The first thing you need to do is analyze your needs so that you can find a plan that fits them the closest.



Where you live ultimately determines your choice of wireless services. Cell phones service offerings vary substantially from region to region. Coverage is the most important, of course, because it would be disastrous if you got a plan, then found out you'll have to pay roaming, or get no service where you need to use the phone. You need to figure out if you will need more than one line, when your peak usage will be, and whether you travel enough to need nationwide long distance.

It is best to investigate your local wireless services providers' coverage areas to determine if they provide service where you intend to use the phone most frequently. Most coverage maps have the disclaimer that they are provided for general informational purposes only and that actual coverage may vary. A survey conducted by Consumer Reports regarding cell phones service and consumer electronics found that poor coverage was the biggest reason survey respondents switched carriers in the previous three years.

Trying to find the right value and get the features you need may seem like an obstacle course. Now there are no-contract companies and prepaid mobile phones. Depending on your usage, they are great if you only need an emergency phone or if you use your mobile infrequently.

They are also a great way for cell phone newbies to get their feet wet. Family cell phone plans allow you to share a common pool of airtime minutes across multiple cell phones within the same family. This generally sums up to great savings and even free calls between family members.

The best advice when sorting through your choices is to take advantage of the trial periods offered by some wireless services providers. This gives you a few weeks to see how many minutes you actually use and will need, whether you will need several mobile phones and the boundaries to your coverage area.

Another great idea is to ask neighbors and friends who have similar calling patterns about their experiences with different service providers and plans, because inadvertent over-ages, a lax assortment of features, and inadequate network coverage can cost you hundreds of dollars. Doing your homework really pays off.