Choosing the BEST Cell Phone Carrier

Gas prices going up? Tired of getting your car payment, mortgage payment, insurance bills, and the plethora of other debt mail you owe? What if you could slice your cell phone bill in half? How about more than half? A third?

The serious question you have to ask yourself is, “how many minutes a month do I use to talk?” If you’re like me, you rarely use your minutes, and are annoyed when T-mobile doesn’t roll over your minutes (or Verizon). You’re probably also tired of the crazy charges they come up with. For instance, if you text Canada and you’re in the US, you are now charged .20 a minute. What?! This is a shock as I’m really glad that my friend didn’t reply or my bill would have been miserable (instead of the extra .20 I incurred).

There is good news on the horizon. Virgin Mobile has plans starting at 25$ a month. Twenty-five. TWENTY FIVE! If you can sacrifice the talking on your cell phone, this is worth it. They have a prepaid plan that is just 25$ for unlimited texting, web, and 300 minutes.

But wait—there’s more! Their phones aren’t too shabby (I am in love with mine). They have Android, Blackberry, feature phones, and the Rumor Touch. Personally, I’ve had an Android phone since 2009 and I never upgraded. My baby G1 never got the Android updates after October 2009. My contract recently ended with T-mobile (worst cell phone company ever), and I switched to Virgin Mobile.

Don’t get me wrong, I shopped around.

First up: AT&T. So, AT&T has the iPhone and I also get 16% off through my job, so I figured maybe I’ll find something I like. I did, however, dread the idea of being committed to another phone company for 2 more years. Their most basic plan (with an Android phone) was 80$ a month (that’s with my 16% off). 80. That’s 15$ more than T-mobile. Their pay-as-you-go service was about 2$ a day. Pass. I use my phone every day. Not really worth 60$ for service I already have.

Second: Verizon’s plans were just as similar, if only a fraction less. Their prepaid plan for unlimited texting (and nothing else) was 20$ a month. I was going to switch to this, because I’m not in dire need of the internet on my phone (I’m a full time student, part time worker, and also have a life). I decided to shop around some more, though, just in case.

Third: I found my way back to T-mobile. I also found this to be quite a regrettable choice immediately after signing on the dotted line. That’s right, I signed. I was suckered into their terrible service once again—for ten dollars more, to boot! See, my plan was grandfathered in. I received a 15% discount for being a student; they don’t give that anymore, and I had to pay the price. I’ll write a new hub about T-mobile and let everyone know about their evil, conniving ways. Here I’ll cut to the chase. After realizing my error (being duped), I went back and returned the phone and went back to my out-of-contract plan. Horrible service. They upped their prices, but changed nothing. Nothing, I tell you.

Fourth: Metro PCS. This is the company that advertises 40$ for everything. Taxes included. My sister actually has this. My only problem with this company is the prices of their phones, and the quality of their phones. The Android phone felt flimsy and cost 500$. Yes, 500$ even. They have some dropped calls, but they always have service. If you do use a lot of talk time, then this is the plan for you (in terms of cost).

Finally: Virgin Mobile. As I said in a preceding paragraph, I love my phone and the service. None of the phones are higher than 200$ and their unlimited everything plan is only 60$. While, I wouldn’t get their 60$ plan, I would go with Metro (20 bucks cheaper), I would go with their 25 or even 40$ plan. The 40$ plan has 1200 talk minutes included. Sadly, the unused minutes don’t roll over (you’re on a prepaid plan, c’mon). I have service in the malls (two floor mall with no reception from T-mobile, but reception from Virgin Mobile). Sprint recently bought Virgin Mobile, so Virgin Mobile runs off of Sprint’s towers.

Want to see which you like best? Go to each carrier and shell out the money. You have fourteen days to try a phone before you’re locked in and have to pay the termination fee. T-mobile has a restocking fee of 10 bucks, though (and I’m not sure about others). Metro PCS gives you a month to try it out and return it free of charge (if it’s not what you want). I read mixed reviews about the Virgin Mobile website and returning things. Personally, I find stores more helpful with everything, so I would say buying your Virgin Mobile plan and phone in a store. I went to Best Buy and got everything there. They also give you 50% off of any accessories when you buy your phone. So if you get a touchscreen, make sure you get ZAGG to cover the screen (and register it online so you can get another one for free if you get a replacement phone). For a mere 30$, Best Buy offers a replacement phone in the event that your phone malfunctions. Keep in mind, this is NOT for accidents.

Regardless what you choose, I hope it’s the right choice (in terms of service and saving your wallet). Let me know if you have any other suggestions for better plans!

PS: I have the LG Optimus V with the 25$ plan. I'm coming from a messaging phone with a qwerty keyboard and going to an all touchscreen phone. I had reservations about this, but there is a new way to input than just tapping the letters on the screen. It's called Swype (yes, I'll hub about this later, too).