Avoid Cell Phone Woes
The best advice: Pick a good plan that offers maximum coverage and minimum hassle.James A. Martin
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Feature: Avoiding Wireless Service Woes
When it comes to wireless phone or data service, it often feels like consumers are on their own. Think about it: When else have you been required to sign a contract just for the privilege of receiving expensive, unreliable service?
I could go on and on about my own wireless service woes. But I'll spare you the tedious details. Instead, I'll offer tips on finding a service plan that offers maximum coverage and minimal frustration.
Comparison-Shop
Several Web sites offer an overview of mobile phone plans, including current rates, special offers, and so forth. Here are a few to get you started:
Ask Your Friends
Before signing a contract, ask friends and colleagues in your area about their wireless provider. Which carrier and device (such as a smart phone) do they use? Are they happy with their service? If so, why? If not, why not? Where is voice reception the best--and where is it nonexistent?
Check Consumer Reports
Read Consumer Reports' most recent annual report on wireless service. Consumer Reports recently surveyed 39,000 of its readers in 17 metro areas to rate their cell phone service. Overall, Verizon Wireless was number one in customer satisfaction. T-Mobile was usually number two, and AT&T Wireless (now part of Cingular Wireless) was nearly always at the bottom. Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, and some regional carriers (such as Alltel) landed somewhere in between the top- and bottom-ranked carriers, depending on the metro area.
The survey results appeared in the Consumer Reports February 2005 issue and on its Web site. A subscription is required to access the magazine's online content, however. At $19 a year for magazine subscribers, $26 a year for others, the subscription is well worth it.
By the way: Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, is actively involved in the effort to strengthen the rights of wireless phone users. For more information, check out its site, EscapeCellHell.org.
Get the Scoop
Before you decide on a wireless voice/data device, check out Phone Scoop. This smart, easy-to-use, free site provides multiple ways to browse the current cell phone, smart phone, and wireless PDA models. For example, the site's Phone Finder lets you filter search results by carrier, average user rating, maximum weight, form factor, operating system, antenna type, and more.
Of course, you can also read reviews of wireless devices at PC World's Web site.
Check Coverage Maps
Before you sign a contract, make a list of all the places you frequently visit. Then check your current or potential carrier's coverage map, to ensure they provide service in your region and frequent destinations. (Every wireless service provider is required to provide accurate, up-to-date maps of its coverage areas.)
Here are links to the major carriers' coverage maps:
Don't Sign a Two-Year Contract
Wireless carriers offer new customers great prices on cell phones--sometimes they even give them away. But beware: Usually to get that great price, you must sign a two-year contract.
Unless you're already using and are satisfied with a carrier's service, stick with a one-year contract. Otherwise, if you become dissatisfied with the service, you must pay about $175 to bail out early.
Do the Math
Before you jump to a new wireless plan, get your last six months of cell phone bills. Add up your in-plan voice minutes used; divide that by six for the average. (Don't include in your calculations the unlimited night/weekend minutes used if those minutes are free.) Now total and average any data-related charges for the six-month period.
The calculations should provide a fairly accurate picture of your typical voice and data usage. With that information, you can more easily pick a voice or data service plan that fits your needs.
The bottom line: Avoid a service plan that doesn't provide you enough voice minutes, which is costly, or gives you more minutes than you use, which is wasteful. Of course, you can always change plans with your carrier without penalty. The downside, however, is you must start a brand-new contract to do so.
Your Tips?
Do you have a suggestion for finding the best wireless plan with the fewest gotchas? If so, Send me e-mail.
Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips
Notebook News: Dell's Sonoma Portables
Dell recently introduced new Latitude notebooks featuring Intel's Sonoma mobile technology. Sonoma is the latest version of Centrino, Intel's platform for portable computers that includes the Pentium M processor, a mobile chip set, and an Intel Pro/Wireless chip.
Three of the new portables are the first Latitude models to include security hardware known as the Trusted Platform Module, which makes a computer verify its identity to gain access to a network. The new Latitudes cost about $1400 and up.
For more on the announcement, read "Dell Launches New Sonoma Notebooks."
Tablet PC News: Microsoft Tries to Make Tablets Mainstream
Two years after introducing Tablet PCs, Microsoft is lowering their prices in hopes of making them more mainstream. Beginning this spring, expect to see some Tablet PCs in the $1500 to $1600 range--only about $100 to $200 more than comparable notebook models. For example, Toshiba America will ship a new Satellite Tablet PC early this year. Priced at $1599, the Satellite R15-S822 will be the first Toshiba Tablet PC to be sold widely in retail stores, according to Toshiba. Read the full report, "Microsoft Tries to Nudge Tablet PCs Into the Mainstream."
Notebook Review: ChemBook Comes With a Built-In Camera
With a VGA camera built into the top of its lid and a battery that lasted 4.2 hours in our tests, the ChemBook 2037 ($1499 and up) is a desktop replacement with many talents, says PC World's Carla Thornton. With so much to offer, you might forgive the Centrino notebook's shortcomings, which include a stiff lid, poorly designed control switch, and hefty weight of 7.7 pounds.
Wireless Review: New Wi-Fi Finders Much Improved
Earlier Wi-Fi detectors didn't live up to their hype. But the latest generation of these compact devices, designed to sniff out nearby wireless networks, are much better, says PC World reviewer Michael S. Lasky. Of the three devices Michael tested, only Canary's Digital Hotspotter ($50) detects 802.11b and 802.11g signal strength and also reports the network's name, broadcast channel, and whether it's encrypted or open.
Wireless News: Yahoo Local on the Go
Yahoo's new Send to Phone feature lets you send local search results as a text message to your mobile phone from your computer. The new service is available only in the U.S. to customers of Cingular Wireless/AT&T Wireless, Verizon Communications, T-Mobile USA, Sprint, and Nextel Communications. To use the service, your phone must support Short Message Service. Yahoo doesn't charge for the service, but your carrier may apply a fee for receiving text messages.
Gadget First Look: IRiver's Answer to the IPod Mini
It seems like everyone either wants an IPod Mini or wants to one-up Apple's hit MP3 player with a better alternative. IRiver's H10 ($280) is one of the IPod Mini's latest--and best--challengers, says PC World's Eric Dahl. The 5GB, color-screen player is a joy to use. Scrolling through tunes is easy, thanks to a touch-sensitive slider control and improved software. Unlike the IPod Mini, IRiver's new device lets you listen to and record FM radio, record audio with a built-in microphone, and view JPEG photos. The battery is replaceable, and an optional second battery costs $40.
Suggestion Box
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