It is difficult to visualize life and activity without a cell phone in the U.S. It can be challenging and painful, at the same time! But the tussle still persists. Since, after realizing that it is a necessity, the choice becomes the battle! And this tussle in mind is fuelled further by the number of options, the variety of devices, huge variation in prices, the availability of plans and the endless permutations along with!
This strikes a panic alarm, for the choice of a wrong plan leads to a suffering for a considerable time-span. Also the rationale behind measuring time, the concept of minutes for an incoming or outgoing call in the U.S. is very different than the rest of the world. Also the notion of a prepaid plan vis-à-vis a post-paid plan is extremely different.
So in the long run, for more than a period of 6 months, only a post-paid plan could benefit you! So if you’re leaving for highest studies, going for a year on work permit or immigrating, then don’t think of anything other than a post-paid connection. You will only have to pay upto $50 and you’d be thankful, since it is worth it! Totally! However, if you’re touring the U.S., perhaps only for a month or a quarter, then a prepaid connection is your right option!
The best prepaid unlimited plan comes for around $60 dollars and it entails most of the benefits offered by post-paid plans. And, it is okay to pay some premium if you are here for just a month. Though you might feel that a post-paid connection is slightly expensive to begin with, but it will be the only one that would benefit and save money consistently in the long run.
Prepaid Cell Phone Plans:
From your experience in your home country, a prepaid plan might seem a favourable and safe option on the surface, but it is not that economical for a sustained period. In most countries, an incoming connection allows for free incoming calls, and the amount paid is directly proportional to the outgoing minutes on your phones, but not in the U.S. The incoming facility is not for free, unless the plan specifies it!
There isn’t anything free concept, which is why a prepaid connection isn’t the best bang for the buck. Also, don’t assume any free minutes, special discounts over the weekend, unless you invest on another premium prepaid card!
However, it also has its own benefits; you don’t need a credit check, thus, no hassle involved. Just barge into a store and pop out with a new phone. The charge per minute can vary from 10 cents to 25 cents.
Post Paid Cell Phone Plans:
In the U.S. post-paid cell phone plan is a way of life. As we previously suggested, if your aim is anything over six months, opt for a post-paid plan without thinking twice. Each plan offers limited counted day-time minutes. Better explained, one will be charged for incoming as well as outgoing from the minutes that were allotted for day time per month. For instance, if the plan says 800 day time minutes, it means only 800 minutes for incoming as well as outgoing in that month from 6 AM to 9 PM, that is considered as day time.
Most of them will have feature like, free mobile to mobile calling on the same network. Thus, one can talk as much as you want after 9 PM with your friends and family and also talk unlimited on weekends depending on plan. Again, incoming is NOT free unless specified. The thing is, they will do a credit check based on the credit history.
One may have to pay premium like $200 or $500 depending on the provider (this amount would be refunded after a year or so).
With this, we encourage you to weigh and choose your options. Since our aim is your happy talking experience!
Tags: cell phone plan, prepaid cell phone plans, post paid cell phone plans, prepaid plans, post paid plans