COLUMN: College budgets can handle cell phones
I guess in many ways, I am a typical college student. I am never home, and no one, including me, can predict when I will be home next. This makes getting a hold of me almost impossible.
So a few weeks ago, I went on a quest to find the perfect cellular phone plan for my needs. But don’t worry, I have called and verified my information. Some phone companies have changed their offers since I was looking 15 days ago, but never fear, I called and checked. The information I give is current.
The other thing I was looking for in a cellular phone was my ability to call home without using a calling card or paying long distance.
With a college student’s budget in mind, I only investigated plans that were $40 a month or less.
I have discovered that there are, in fact, many stores in the area that sell plans and phones. But, upon investigation, I found that there are relatively few providers. So, in many cases, the same plan and brand of phone is offered at multiple stores and I am therefore ranking providers, not actual stores.
And now, without further blabbing, here is what I found.
No. 5 U.S. Cellular
This service provider does not actually have a store here in Logan but they provide service here and are, in fact, in our phone book. The nearest center is in Pocatello, Idaho one and one-half hours away. The best deal they could give me with service in Logan was 400 minutes for $39. No additional night or weekend minutes. Not a good deal.
No. 4 Sprint
OK, Sprint has a super small calling area, basically if you are not in close proximity of a highway, you are roaming. That was a big turnoff to me. I do not want to be that concerned about roaming when I travel and take a detour or something. They have two plans that you might be interested in. Two hundred anytime minutes and 1,000 night and weekend minutes for $34.99. For $5 more, you get 350 anytime minutes and 3,659 night and weekend minutes. But “night” does not start until 9 p.m. I liked the ones that started at 8 p.m. better.
No. 3 Verizon
These guys offer 350 anytime minutes and 3,000 night and weekend minutes for $35. There are better deals. But you still may want to consider this company due to the range you can call to and from. When you look at the little map they have for the company, there is a lot of ground in the “calling area.”
No. 2 AT&T
AT&T charges $39.99 and gives 400 anytime minutes and unlimited night and weekend minutes. The unlimited factor of this deal really made me excited. I have family and friends in Pocatello and I am spending a fortune on phone cards talking at night and on the weekends. And, they are throwing in free long distance right now. This is the provider I went for. Now you might be thinking to yourself, then why did she rank it second? I will explain … although AT&T is not most minutes for my money, I don’t need any more than 400 anytime minutes and I really liked the other rebates and services they promised at the time of sale. Which brings up a good point, it is a good idea to call around and see what “specials” are going on. It’s different everywhere and always changing.
No. 1 Voice Stream
This is the best deal when you consider minutes for your money. For $29.99, you can get 200 anytime minutes and unlimited night and weekend minutes. Unlimited is a magic word to me. Or add $10 to your monthly bill and you get 500 anytime minutes and once again unlimited night and weekend minutes. The minutes, I was told, count no matter where you call from and whoever you call. Good deal, eh? Now, you just have to free up some spare cash to pay for this great service.