Sadly, not all cell phone plans are created equal. Some plans come with unnecessary fees and lengthy contracts, which is why it’s important to do your research. Comparing phone plans and weighing your options will enable you to find the best, most affordable cell service in your area. Here are nine essential factors to consider when deciding between phone plans.
9 Things to Consider When Comparing Phone Plans
Contracts
Many major carriers require you to sign a contract that locks you into a phone plan for a year or more. If you decide to cancel your service early, you may be required to pay a costly termination fee.
Cell phone contracts limit your choices and flexibility, but luckily you don’t have to sign one to get great coverage. Tello Mobile is a prepaid mobile operator that doesn’t use contracts and offers premium phone service without the high price tag.
Its superior phone plans cost less than $30 per month, allowing you to save up to 50% on your cell service compared to other operators. You can cancel or change your phone plan at any time without incurring fees, putting control of your cell service back into your hands.
Cost
Speaking of saving money, another factor to consider when comparing phone plans is cost. The average monthly cell phone bill has risen to over $150 per month, which is unaffordable for many Americans.
That’s why Tello aims to provide premium phone service that won’t break the bank. Its flexible phone plans range from $5 to $29 per month. You can choose from one of Tello’s preset plans or build your own by adding the right amount of minutes and data for your situation.
If you don’t have time to customize a plan from scratch, Tello offers several ready-made options to suit different needs and budgets, including:
- Economy – 1 GB of data for $10 per month
- Value – 2 GB of data for $14 per month
- Smart – 5 GB of data for $19 per month
- Data – unlimited data for $29 per month
Each of these plans comes with unlimited minutes and texts to help you keep in touch with family and friends.
Don’t see a preset option that fits your cell phone usage? You can build your plan and only pay for what you need by mixing and matching data and minutes. Here’s an overview of the minute and data balances you can choose from:
- Data – None; 500 MB; 1, 2, 5, or 10 GB; unlimited
- Minutes: None, 100, 300, 500, or unlimited
Pricing varies depending on which combo of data and minutes you pick but doesn’t exceed $29 per month. Allowing you to get reliable cell service on a budget.
Tello also has family plans that enable you to add multiple phone lines to the same account. Each family member will still get to choose their plan based on their cell phone usage, which is a big perk. Most family plans are much less flexible and require users to share a monthly allowance of data and minutes.
Data Overage Charges and Caps
Your browsing habits may change over time, which can make it difficult to estimate your data needs. If you accidentally go over your data allowance, some carriers will start charging you data overage fees, which can add up fast.
If you want to avoid this cost, look for a provider that throttles your data speed instead. With Tello, it’s impossible to go over your data allowance because your speeds are simply lowered to 2G when you reach your limit.
Another factor to consider is data caps. Most unlimited plans limit the amount of high-speed data you can use. When comparing unlimited phone plans, make sure the data cap is high enough to accommodate your browsing habits.
For example, Tello’s unlimited plan offers a generous 25 GB of 4G/5G LTE data. This is more than enough for most users, especially because the average North American only uses 11.1 GB of data per month. But if you somehow manage to hit Tello’s data cap, you’ll still get an unlimited amount of 2G data.
Fees
Sometimes the monthly prices that carriers advertise don’t include taxes and fees. So make sure you read the fine print when comparing phone plans to understand exactly how much money you’ll owe every month.
Additionally, some carriers may charge you additional fees when you activate your account, add a new line, or cancel your contract early. But thankfully Tello doesn’t charge any unnecessary or hidden fees, helping you save money.
Coverage in Your Area
Network quality is another important factor to consider when comparing phone plans. Bad cell reception can cause issues like dropped calls and slow download speeds, so make sure the provider you’re considering offers solid coverage in your area.
Since Tello uses the T-Mobile network, you’ll get reliable 4G/5G LTE coverage nationwide. You can verify the service in your area by entering your address on Tello’s website and checking the interactive coverage map.
Device Compatibility
If you like your current phone and want to keep it, you’ll need to make sure it’s unlocked and compatible with the network you’re planning to join. Sometimes the “about my phone” section of a device’s settings will show whether it’s locked or unlocked.
You can also contact your current carrier to check your phone’s status and find out what you need to do to unlock it. If your phone is still on an installment plan, you’ll likely need to pay off the remaining balance to get it unlocked.
Next, you’ll need to see if your phone is compatible with your prospective provider. Tello makes it easy to confirm that your phone will work on its network. All you need to do is enter your device’s ID number into this compatibility checker.
Most unlocked GSM devices can be enrolled to Tello, and you can even keep your current phone number by porting it in. But if your phone isn’t compatible or you just want an upgrade, you can purchase a new device from Tello for as little as $79.
International Calling
If you have friends and family who live abroad, then international calling is an important consideration when comparing phone plans. Some providers require you to purchase international calling as an add-on, which increases the cost of your cell service.
Luckily Tello includes free international calling to over 60 countries in all of its plans. You’ll be able to call and text loved ones in India, China, Mexico, and dozens of other countries at no extra cost.
Customer Service and Satisfaction
When you have an issue with your cell service, the last thing you want is to be placed on hold forever or deal with unhelpful customer service representatives. To avoid this frustrating experience, it’s crucial to choose a mobile operator that provides top-notch customer service, such as Tello Mobile.
The company’s friendly customer support team is available 24/7 so you can get expert assistance around the clock. Tello also receives high marks when it comes to customer satisfaction. It earned an excellent rating of 4.5 stars on Trustpilot from nearly 10,000 reviewers.
Money-Saving Features
When comparing phone plans, you should also look for extra features that will save you money. For example, if you’re a big texter, choosing a mobile operator like Tello that offers free unlimited texting could save you a bunch.
Tello also offers customers a free mobile hotspot, which many providers charge extra for. Your complimentary hotspot will enable you to share data with your laptop and other devices so you can browse the web without WiFi. Plus, you’ll even get free WiFi calling.
Additionally, Tello has a referral program that can help you save money on your cell phone bill. If a friend purchases through your link, you’ll each get $10 Tello Dollars. These credits can be used to pay for your cell service or purchase a new device.
Wrapping Up
With so many phone plans on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is best. However, honing in on the features that are most important to you can help you find the ideal provider. If you value flexibility, affordability, and great service, Tello may be the right mobile operator for you.
Read More:
What’s the Optimal Phone Plan For Seniors?
7 Frugal Features You Want From Your Mobile Operator
32 Reasons to Be Frugal Besides Saving Money
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money-saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.
You may read her other articles at More Than Finances| Everybody Loves Your Money | The Frugalpreneur | Blogging Away Debt
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