More Bang for Your Buck: Cell Phones

(WSVN) With cell phone companies battling for your business, it's never been cheaper to sign up for a new wireless plan.

Amy Rosenthall, Cell Phone User, says "I was getting these ridicules phone bills..it was a shocker everytime i opened the envelope."

But after weighing her options, Amy Rosenthal dialed up Metro P-C-S for their flat rate with no contract.

"You always know what your bill is so thats good."

35 dollars a month good, but the calling areas are limited.

"You can talk all you want through the tri-county area."

And in this case, talk isn't cheap.

Finding that right carrier is ultimately your call.

Just don't be persuaded by a sexy phone or by the number of prepaid minutes.

Most of that time is on nights and weekends while you'll still pay on weekdays.

And that's why at Cingular, with the right plan, prepaid minutes don't have to be unused minutes.

Gus Ramentol, Cingular, says "You have one year to use all the roll over minutes you build."

The company allows its customers to bank those minutes so what you don't use one month, just carries over to the next.

Anderson Curry, Verizon, says "You could be building literally hundreds upon hundreds of minutes."

Or you could go on a more economical program like they have at Verizon.

Anderson Curry, Verizon, says "We have a free up program for our customers that who do not want a service agreement, who feel that they are really on a budget."

The plan basically works like a calling card but for your cell phone.

"Its a pay as you go program."

But if time is money then who you talk to is also critical.

And that's why Nextel invented their walkie-talkie system.

Stu Kolinsky, Nextel, says "Direct connect, commonly known as a walkie talkie  allows people to get each other by the press of a big button on the side of every nextel phone."
 
The system is similar to conference calling and its customer base is constantly expanding.

"It allows users within a particular group to talk to each other in unison.. and get a hold of 20-30-40-50 people simultaineously."

The only catch is you have to buy the phone and sign a one year.
 
But if you ask Amy, a decent cell phone is well worth the cost.

"Actually canceled my home phone service..I just use my cell phone all the time now."