Sanyo Katana II Prepaid Phone, Pink (Kajeet)

The Sanyo Katana II mobile phone enhances the spirit of the original Katana with a sleeker shape, a radiant new pink fascination finish, and a host of kid-friendly features. This flip phone also features a 21 MB memory for storing downloadable ringtones and games, a VGA camera, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices, voice dialing capabilities, and up to 3.5 hours of talk time. It works perfectly with Kajeet's kid-friendly pay-as-you-go service and it's GPS-capable, which provides compatibility with Kajeet's GPS Phone Locator Service as well as enable it to provide location information to a capable emergency service provider.

The Katana II offers Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices, a VGA camera, and a lustrously shiny pink color.

About Kajeet
Kajeet was founded by three three dads figuring out how technology, kids and parents work best ("Kajeet" is an anagram of the first letters of the names of the company's founders' children). Kajeet's entire philosophy springs from a simple core idea: kids are smart. And they should be agile with technology, empowered and safe, and be able to respond with confidence to what's happening in their world.

Because having a cell phone is not just fun, it's a responsibility--a shared responsibility, Kajeet wants parents and guardians to be involved too. Thus, Kajeet is designed to incorporate a full suite of tools to help families customize and manage every aspect of their Kajeet experience. For more on Kajeet's pay-as-you-go charges and monthly voice and text plans, see the Kajeet Service section below.

Phone Features
Measuring just 0.6 inches thin, the Katana II sports a bright 2-inch internal LCD that offers a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and 262K colors, which also features IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology for wide-angle viewing with superior brightness and contrast. It's supplemented by an exterior TFT LCD (80 x 80 pixels, 65K colors), which enables quick viewing of the time, caller ID, and more.

This phone enables you to store up to 300 contact entries with 500 total phone numbers, 600 email and 300 Web addresses. It has a call history of 20 outgoing calls, 20 incoming calls, 20 missed calls, 60 recent calls. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear, and advanced voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family, and associates easy (up to 30 entries). Simply say the name or number of the person you want to call and the number is dialed automatically without using the keypad. It also offers PIM organization applications (calendar, to-do list, world clock, calculator, and stopwatch), 4 distinct vibrating alerts, 72-chord polyphonic ringtones, and a 2.5 mm stereo headset jack.

The VGA resolution digital camera can capture still at 640 x 480 pixels (sized for sending via email or uploading to the Internet), and it includes self timer, night mode, brightness, and white balance control features. Thanks to the built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), you can enjoy hands-free communication via optional headsets. Enjoy easy, hands free communication with a speakerphone that lets you hear callers loud and clear.

This phone has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging and Internet connectivity. Use the phone's built-in picture messaging capability to send text, graphics, and pictures to your friends. The phone features support for instant messaging applications, and there's a built-in WAP 2.0 Web browser for downloads and mobile Web browsing. T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Other features include:

• Voice dialing for 30 entries lets you call a friend without even having to dial a number
• Identify callers instantly by downloading ringers and assigning them to each number in your phone book.
• Picture Caller ID: Identify callers at a glance by linking downloaded photos and other images to your phone book.
• Call screening feature lets you listen to a caller while a message is being left on your phone
• Voice memos up to 3 minutes each for up to 300 notes for yourself
• Personal organizer tools include a calendar, ToDo list, a calculator, scheduler, stop watch and world clock

Vital Statistics
The Katana II weighs 3.1 ounces and measures 3.7 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches. Its 1000 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of talk time. It runs on the CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies for voice.

Kajeet Service
The Kajeet pay-as-you-go service delivers a full range of customizable voice, text, instant messaging and data services that enable kids to stay connected with family and friends. While kids will love the phones offered by Kajeet, parents will love the affordability of the Kajeet pay-as-you-go service with no long-term contracts, no activation or termination fees, and no roaming or extra long distance fees.

Choose pay-as-you-go flexibility, or select a Talk or Text Pak monthly plan.

Kajeet's GPS Phone Locator service helps both kids and parents find the kajeet phone.

Kajeet's nationwide coverage is provided on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network. Check out a coverage map.

The exclusive Kajeet Configurator offers easy-to-use tools for both kids and parents, with such budget and usage management features like WalletManager, TimeManager, ContactManager and FeatureManager that enable tweens and their families to tailor the service to meet their specific needs. Wireless network coverage for Kajeet is provided by Sprint on its CDMA-based Nationwide Sprint PCS Network (check out the nationwide coverage map).

Kajeet's GPS Phone Locator service helps both kids and parents find the kajeet phone. It uses satellite technology to help find your child's phone and gives subscribing families easy-to-use information regarding the location of their kajeet phone via Web-based maps. Parents can schedule automatic location checks at specific times of the day, so they know where their kid's kajeet phone is at any given time--whether the phone is in their child's backpack on the school bus or in their sports bag at soccer practice. Kids can also use the service to help find their phone. The GPS Phone Locator service is $9.99 per month.

With Kajeet, the money in your Kajeet wallet--paid in either as pay-as-you-go or as part of a monthly plan--can be used for whatever you want: texting, talking, games, ringtones and more. Plus, at no extra cost you get voicemail, caller ID, and some of the lowest talking and texting rates around. You can choose pure pay-as-you-go flexibility, and refill your wallet either online or using Kajeet refill cards (available at select retailers). You might also want to consider the value of a Talk and Text Pak plan. Each is good for one month, and if your kid uses it up before that, you can just pick up a new Pak and start fresh.

Voice Calls (local, domestic, long distance, and toll-free numbers)	10¢ per minute Talk Pak plans (includes 1 month of Daily Access Charges) $4.99 for 10 minutes $14.99 for 60 minutes $19.99 for 150 minutes $29.99 for 300 minutes $19.99 for 1000 night/weekend minutes
Text Messages	10¢ per message (send or receive) Text Pak plans $4.99 for 200 messages $9.99 for 1000 messages $19.99 for unlimited messages
Picture Messages	25¢ per picture/per person (send or receive)
Unlimited Mobile AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)	$6.99 per month (first month free)
Directory Assistance	$1.50 connect fee plus 10¢ per minute
Daily Access Charge*	32¢ every day

* Kajeet charges a service fee of 32 cents per day, which amounts to about $10 per month. This fee applies to pay-as-you go plans only. Monthly plans and bundles do not charge a daily access charge. This access charge guarantees you low rates for voice and messaging, and gives you access to the Kajeet Navigator (which provides downloadable ringtones, wallpaper, games and apps) and to the Kajeet Configurator (which enables you to personalize your kajeet service to match your specific needs).

Price: $99.99

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Universal PDA Vertical Black Leather Holster with clip by Prima Cases

This handcrafted leather holster fits most of the handheld devices on the market: Palm LifeDrive, Palm Tungsten TX and T5, Audiovox, Dell Axim and HP iPAQ 6500/6900 Series, HTC. Available with removable swivel clip and magnetic snap closure for maximum protection.
Price: $19.95

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Cell Phones For People With Bad Credit - Advice and Guidelines

The type of cell phones for people with bad credit usually come in the form of pay-as-you-go type of cellular phones or otherwise known as prepaid cellular phones. Though this type of phone was really more prevalent in European countries these types of phones have really gained a lot of popularity in the United States. This is basically due to the fact that we as a country have hit really hard economic times, so some of us simply are unable to afford the phones and phone services and also some of us have come or have partly acquired really bad credit and still need a means of speaking to people and staying in touch. So it's important you know that simply not having the best credit or no credit at all should not stop you from owning what is widely considered to be one of the most crucial and important communication devices we have today which is a cell phone.

Are you an individual who has been dealing with extremely high mobile phone bills in the past? Has the inability to be able to pay these bills on time affected your credit history, and has this resulted in being trapped in debt and poor credit? This is the case for so many as the overall worsening credit situation that the world is facing has made cell phone owners shy away from signing onto monthly contracts because of all our credit either being poor or the fear of making our credit really bad. But these facts alone really shouldn't prevent us from using a phone in general. There is always another way, and the most common way that people with bad credit get cellular phone service to go with pay-as-you-go phones or prepaid phones as their otherwise known.

One of the best places to go to find cell phones that are available for people with bad credit is on the Internet. It really doesn't matter in today's day whether you can get a phone or not from an individual store or retail outlet because many cellular phone websites sell the same models that these other stores do and you can still get all the quality prepaid phones at generally superior rates. So be sure to do lots of comparison shopping and see which phone models are to be appropriate for you. You can pay for the amount of minutes that you want to use up front so that you don't have to be worried about being overcharged and you can always set more minutes later.

The Cell Phones Bad Credit site is a completely free resource with tips, guides, and other useful information to help you make you get cell phones or cell phones plans with bad credit.

This Cell Phones People Bad Credit article provides more information on getting cell phones with bad credit.

Expat Life in Sri Lanka, Colombo

I recently visited the wonderful island of Sri Lanka, and found a country full of surprises.

Sri Lanka is situated just south of India, in the Indian Ocean. Once known as the Dominium of Ceylon and often referred to as the tea country, tea plantations abundantly thrive across the island, with spice gardens, banana and coconut palms growing randomly to create a jungle of natural resources.

People, animals and transport seem to co-exist side by side with no animosity towards each other. Dogs wonder aimlessly across or bask in the sun at the side of roads, cows and goats roam around everywhere, even on the beaches (which I found rather amusing) and people are everywhere, whether walking, cycling, using a tuc-tuc, motorbike with 5 astride, in a taxi, bus, car or truck, each takes up a space of the not too wide road. But co-exist they do, there is no anger at being stuck behind a truck, merely a short hooting of the horn to say I am here and would like to pass, politeness abounds and the expression and sounds are all of friendliness, within a country that sorely needs help at redeveloping itself since the tsunami. People are poor and yet happiness is everywhere.... Not just for the child on the hip or the person at their side, but for expats and tourists as well.

Tourists fluctuate towards the resorts and some chance the areas slightly outside of these areas, to experience a quieter less harassed holiday. Small pockets of expats can be found, dotted all over the country. When you bump into these people and chat about life on the island, there is not much to complain about. Yes, sometimes the water gets turned off or the electricity, yes the internet is not as fast as they would like it to be. Isn't that how most people feel in developed countries anyway: The faster it gets the faster we want it. In this little piece of paradise, expats are not too concerned that it takes a little longer to do things here, the people are prepared to wait, not too hasty to move forward too quickly. There was a lot of talk and concern about the elections and safety within the country and there are still road blockades and police / army personnel with guns wandering around keeping peace if necessary. However, with 70% of the population being Buddhists, the lifestyle is peaceful and life simplistic.

From an expat perspective, I could not fault the lifestyle. As said above, yes there are definite things missing, things are slower, it takes a good 4 - 6 hours to get from Colombo to Galle and similarly to anywhere about 200km's apart. I cannot say that the roads are particularly in good condition, but in the 10 days that I visited, I did not see one accident. Hardships could include the lack of being able to get from one part of the island to another quickly, the lack of fast internet connection, perhaps the human waste / refuse, which allows for the influx of flies, the dirt which is left to lie around and lastly the lack of funds to rebuild the country to what it was before the Tsunami.

Having said that, I have to look at all the good things that you find there, the beauty of the natural resources, how the nationals and expats are trying to rebuild the country, the beaches, game parks and mountains. This is truly a beautiful part of the world.

Expat Cost of living summary

The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee LKR

The Exchange rate as at 15 January 2010 was $1 = 114.217 Rupees

I am going to break the Cost of living down according to some of the basket items:

Alcohol and Tobacco: Alcohol at Bar, Beer, Cigarettes, Locally Produced Spirit, Whiskey, Wine

Cigarettes (20s) - $3.14 to $9

Domestic Beer(500ml) - $2.50

Imported Beer (330ml) - $5.80

Wine at a bar - $6 a glass

Wine at a shop - $15 (750ml bottle)

Hotels tend to increase the prices of alcohol as it is the one way that they can make a profit. There are many small hotels and restaurants which create a competitive edge to where you can stay.

Clothing: Business Suits, Casual Clothing, Children's Clothing and footwear, Coats and hats, Evening Wear, Shoe Repairs, Underwear

Casual Long Sleeved Shirt (Men) - $12

Casual Long Sleeved Trousers (Men) - $20

Shorts (Men) - $11

T-Shirt (Men) - $6

Casual Blouse (Women) - $7

Casual Skirt (Women) - $12

Children's Jeans (Boys) - $5

Children's Jeans (Girls) - $3.50

Children's Shirt(Boys) - $5

Children's Shirt(Girls) - $4

Clothes are extremely cheap, in Colombo a person can get most of the name branded clothing at fairly reasonable prices in Factory shops.

Communication: Home Telephone Rental and Call Charges, Internet Connection and service provider fees, Mobile / Cellular Phone Contract and Calls

Monthly phone rental - $4.36

Phone call rate - $0.05 for a local call

Internet line connection fee - $104 (buy all equipment with installation)

Internet service provider fee - $17 (1 geg free thereafter)

Monthly mobile contract fee - $2.18 (for the year)

Mobile / cellular call rate - 90% of phones are prepaid,

Mobile Phone 100 Minutes Call - $38

- $0.012 - $0.05 sms peak times

Due to so many of the nationals working overseas to send money home, the communication costs are extremely low and there are often special deals or no cost is involved in the actual call.

Education: Creche / Pre-School Fees, High School / College Fees, Primary School Fees, Tertiary Study Fees

Annual Creche fee - $4.36 per month

Annual Primary school fee - $260 - $436 per month

Annual High School fee - $260 - $436 per month

Annual 1st Year Tertiary / University fee - $260 to $436 per month (dependent on which

private school they go to)

Private schooling is the most expensive on the island for expat children to attend, however the rates in comparison to other countries are reasonable. Expats that I came across spoke highly of the education system in the country and were happy with the private education that their children were receiving.

Furniture and Appliances: DVD Player, Fridge Freezer, Iron, Kettle, Toaster, microwave, Light Bulbs, Television, Vacuum Cleaner, Washing Machine

DVD Player - $87

Fridge / Freezer - $489 (LG / Whirlpool - 4 year guarantee)

Iron - $12 cheap to $35 top of the range

Kettle - $20 cheap to $37 top of the range

Microwave - $191

TV 21 inch - $244 (2 year guarantee)

Washing Machine LG - $570

Discounts can be negotiated with stores on all items

Groceries bought in a grocery store: Baby Consumables, Baked Goods, Baking, Canned Foods, Cheese, Cleaning Products, Dairy, Fresh Fruits, Fresh Vegetables, Fruit Juices, Frozen, Meat, Oil & Vinegars, Pet Food, Pre-Prepared Meals, Sauces, Seafood, Snacks, Soft Drinks, Spices & Herbs

Powdered baby formula (400g) - $7

Plain biscuits (100g) - $0.20

Loaf white bread (200g) - $0.70

Cake Flour (1kg) - $2.80

Baked Beans (415g) - $1.92

Tuna (185g) - $2.75

Cheese: Cheddar (250g) - $6.63

Crisps: Pringles (139g) - $2.50

Autowash clothing powder (750g) - $1.57

Dishwash liquid (500g) - $0.87

Clothing Softener (2l) - $5.40

Breakfast Cereal (250g) - $2.45

Butter (227g) - $2.18

Milk (1l) - $1.40

Eggs (12) - $1.80

Orange Juice (1l) - $2.80

Frozen Mixed Vegetables (1kg) - $6.20

Cooking oil (1l) - $3.22

Olive oil (500ml) - $8.28

Can of cola (355ml) - $1.00

Local Fizzy Soft Drink (1l) - $1.30

Local Natural Mineral Water (5l) - $1.08

Tea Bags (200g) - $1.85

Instant Coffee (100g) - $6.75

Local Ground Coffee (200g) - $3.66

Salt (400g) - $0.26

Pepper (400g) - $0.35

Prices were obtained from local grocery stores, there are no big department stores to shop in.

Healthcare: General Practitioner Consultation rates, Hospital Private Ward Daily, Rate, Non-Prescription Medicine, Private Medical Insurance / Medical Aid Contributions

GP Private rate visit with meds - $3.50

Hospital Private ward rates - $28 per day

Dentistry - Tooth extraction - $4.35

Most expats use Bupa or the Sri Lankan Equivalent

Household: House / Flat Mortgage, House / Flat Rental, Household Electricity Consumption, Household Gas / Fuel Consumption, Household Water Consumption, Local Property Rates / Taxes / Levies

Rent 2 bed Apartment City Centre - $700

Rent 2 bed Apartment outside of City Centre - $600

Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage per - $80 to $90 per month for an average

household, this is expensive when taking household

air conditioning into account

Gas / Fuel - 12 ? kg bottle - $14

Local property Rates - 8 to 10% of value of property

Expats cannot buy a property directly, this has to be done via a Lawyer who owns the property. Mortgage for locals is 4/5%. This is where most expats find the costs creep in, running the air conditioners is extremely expensive as well as the cost of water.

Miscellaneous: Domestic Help, Dry Cleaning, Linen, Office Supplies, Newspapers and Magazines, Postage Stamps

Domestic Rates - full time per person - $80 average

1 Black inkjet printer cartridge - $14

1 Color inkjet printer cartridge - $21

500 sheets printer paper - $5.23

Local Daily Newspaper - $0.17

International Daily Newspaper - $0.45

International Magazine - $20

International Airmail Stamps - $0.22

Domestic Stamps - $0.12

Domestic help is cheap and most employees either live on the property or close by. Office supplies are reasonable, with CD's and DVD's freely available on the street where most locals buy them.

Personal Care: Cosmetics, Haircare, Moisturiser / Sun Block, Nappies, Pain Relief Tablets, Toilet Paper, Toothpaste, Soap / Shampoo / Conditioner

Body lotion (400ml) Vaseline Intensive car - $4.53

Toilet paper 1 ply per roll - $0.50

Toothpaste (200g) - $1.92

Shampoo (200ml) - $2.40

Some of the items that can be purchased can be expensive, like creams, sunblocks and cosmetic creams. Name brand products are the most expensive.

Recreation and Culture: Books, Camera Film, Cinema Ticket, DVD and CD's, Sports goods, Theatre Ticket

Books paper back - $10

Cinema ticket - $0.50

DVD / CD Imported - $2

Cricket ticket - $0.50 to $8

Theatre Ticket - only in Colombo - $30

Hard cover books are expensive in the country, but paper back books are of a similar cost to the US and UK. Cinema tickets are cheap due to the availability of cheap DVD replicas which can be bought on street corners. International cricket tickets are also kept cheap for the local population.

Restaurants / Meals out / Hotels: Business Dinner, Dinner at Restaurant (non fast food), Hotel Rates, Take Away Drinks & Snacks (fast Food)

Business Dinner excl Alcohol - $22 per person

Dinner / lunch at local restaurant - $8 per person

McDonalds Big Mac - $4.10

Hotel Rates 3* - $8 to $50 pppn

Hotel Rates 4* - $80 to $120 pppn

Hotel Rates 5* - $140 pppn upwards

Take away - Can of cola x 1 - $0.70

Medium pizza - $3.50

Hamburger - $2.00

Coffee - pot x 3 cups - $1.40

As in most countries how much you pay for a meal is dependent on where you go, the local restaurants have great local meals, as well as international flavours, we found a fabulous vegetarian restaurant in Galle, well worth a visit and all prices were fairly cheap. Some restaurants do take advantage of the tourist population and serve sub standard meals. However, most restaurants were good with their portions and meal plans.

Transport: Hire Purchase / Lease of Vehicle, Petrol / Diesel, Public Transport, Service Maintenance, Tyres, Vehicle Insurance, Vehicle Purchase

Hire / Lease car - Sedan Toyota Corolla - $37.14 per day for 1 week

Hire / Lease car - Toyota RAV4 - $46.71 per day for 1 week

Petrol unleaded per litre - $1.23

Diesel per litre - $0.64

Bus Ticket (one way) - $1.00

Taxi Ride - per km - $0.50

Tuc Tuc - 10 km ride - $6.00

Train Ticket 2nd class - $1.57

If you are visiting I would suggest you use the local taxis and tuc-tucs, driving can be a head-ache and unpleasant experience if you are not used to the local norms. However, speeds do not go over 80km on the bigger roads and overall a safe place to drive.

The above detail are some of the items form the basis of the cost of living indexes for each basket group in the Xpatulator calculators, these costs are then used with their indexes and exchange rates to calculate the cost of living in different locations.

For more information on Sri Lanka read more at www.xpatulator.com/outside.cfm.

Steven is Chief Instigator at Xpatulator.com a website that provides cost of living index information and calculates what you need to earn to compensate for cost of living, hardship, and exchange rate differences.

Comparison of Prepaid Cell Phones

I was talking with a friend the other day and the subject of prepaid cell phones came up during the course of the conversation. Comparison of prepaid cell phones can be an intimidating process if you go about doing it the wrong way - and there is indeed a wrong way!

What is the wrong way, you ask? Trying to investigate every single website that features prepaid phones would be my number one candidate. It is good, when looking into prepaid cell phone comparison, to try isolating your search to sites that compare four or more prepaid cell phone plans.

In this way, you can do side by side comparisons, which I have always found to be the best method. I like to write up a list of features that I find essential, along with a few options that I would like to see as part of my package, and then I go online and start shopping!

If you are like me and you love spreadsheet programs, that is another great way to compare prepaid phones, then I recommend that you set that up and do your online research.

What are some features that you would like to have? If you have four cellular providers, you should have a wide variety of plans. Do you want a low price per minute? Are you a text message person? (Probably, if you are a teen!)

Prepaid cell phone comparison should not be a terribly difficult process, after all, and it really boils down to what you want out of a prepaid cell phone plan. For most of us, low price per minute would be number one, closely followed by text messaging, and in some cases having a camera feature on the phone is desirable, particularly for the younger cell phone users.

For the older people, comparison of prepaid cell phones is even simpler. Most of us want the cellular equivalent to a tin can and a string - you know, like kids used to play? You would take two clean tin cans, punch a hole in the bottom of one, thread a piece of string at least 6 feet long through the bottom, then tie a knot at each end to keep the string connected to the can. Then you walk at least six feet apart, keep the string taut, and talk!

For more on comparison cell phones and get the best tracfone deals and more go to Prepaidcellphonesinc dot com.

Cheap Cellular Phone Service

If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting. Everybody talks about stretching a dollar and saving a little more than they already do. Cell phone is the first thing which squeezes most of our earnings. Most people think that excess expenditure comes to an end with buying the right handset. But this is not true. Choosing a suitable and affordable cheap cellular phone service plan can be very difficult. There are numerous cell phone service companies which offer specialized plans for people with all kinds of needs. But not all these plans are cheap and budget friendly. A little bit of research and comparison study can get you choose the ideal cheap cellular phone service.

Some people use prepaid cell phone plans to reduce and maintain cost. These are similar to the calling cards where you pay an amount for the service. You can make and receive calls until the amount is exhausted. Prepaid plans are for those who have very limited usage of the cell phone. Also if your children trouble you for a cell phone, it is a good idea to put them on a prepaid plan so that you can have a check on their usage. You will not be bound to the same service company and can switch over to another one with ease when on a prepaid plan. Though prepaid service plans look ideal as a cheap cellular phone service, there are certain draw backs to this. Extra options like data services and text messaging are not very economical in a prepaid service plan.

Cheap cellular phone service is not a difficult target. Depending on your cell phone needs and requirements you can choose from a wide variety of budget friendly plans. Corporate plans allow employees of the same company to speak and communicate free of cost. These plans come with very economical national and international roaming rates which make it suitable for traveling businessmen. When on an official tour, you will be in need of contacting colleagues back home. These corporate plans will make calling work place friends and colleagues cheap and affordable even from long distances. Even while you are in town, you can speak to your colleagues for cheaper rates using this cheap cellular phone service.

Cell phone service companies also offer family plans where you can add family members and friends and converse with them free of cost. You can add as many members as you want and converse with them irrespective of the physical distance between them. Next time when you have that long, personal call with your friend across thousand miles, you need not keep checking your watch. It is very easy nowadays to find the perfect cheap cellular phone service plan.

P.J.Smith and here with the latest tips in saving money and better products in phone srvice. With years of research on telecom and phone services I have created reports for the average person to save money and get the best from thier phone services. See my reports and start getting the best insider information on beating the big phone companies at thier own game. http://www.freewirelessphoneservice.com

Sincerely Yours,

PJ Smith,
Phone And Video Telephone Expert

Discover More Phone Services

With the changes in electronics and telecommunications over the last decade, it is difficult to keep abreast of the latest, greatest technology. Long distance companies and phone services are constantly changing, and so are their offerings. If you are still using traditional phone services and have had the same phone company for the last twenty years, and you haven't checked out the latest offerings, you probably will be able to save some big dollars off your monthly phone bill.

With the de-regulation of the telecommunications industry many new long distance carriers that you may have not heard of entered the phone services market. While larger, better known carriers may charge 10¢ or more per minute of long distance, there are companies that charge only 2.7¢ to 3¢ per minute.

Bundled plans which include both local and long distance services, from lesser known providers, can also provide significant savings to you. You can easily compare phone services and rates online. Even if you want to stay with your current phone provider, call them to see if there are cheaper plans that you may take advantage of.

If you travel domestically or internationally, you may want to consider lower cost calling cards, which can easily be used by young and old alike. Phone charges can quickly add up when traveling, and prepaid phone cards can represent significant savings from your current phone company. Some calling cards offer current rates of 3.9¢ per minute - quite a savings from traditional long distance call phone services that are charged to your home.

Need to compare your current cellular phone plan against other plans? Utilize phone services websites to shop and compare, and to look for deals. Many people are using their cellular phones as their primary and only phone, so it pays to compare plans. Also check out your current Internet charges for dial-up or DSL services. You will be amazed at the savings you might be able to find by comparing rates and plans. On-line rate calculators and websites that consolidate phone service information really help you easily make side by side comparisons for all kinds of services. Advanced features like conference calls, T1 lines, and voice messaging are also phone services that can be shopped and compared.

When you do find lower rate plans, make sure to check for any hidden charges and fees that may be incurred by switching. Some local phone companies charge you a Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC) fee for switching your local or long distance plan. The new company usually picks this charge up, but is important to confirm this before you switch. Read the fine print on all contracts and deals so you aren't surprised later by phone services charges you didn't know about.

There are so many phone services offered today that it really pays to compare their rates and services. Several websites make it easy to find pricing information and make comparisons. It makes sense to periodically check out the newest services available, and the lowest prices as well. The savings can all be yours.

Cathy Seiler writes Phone Services [http://www.phoneservicesguide.info] articles for her [http://www.phoneservicesguide.info] website.

Choosing a Cell Phone Plan For Your Child

If you are the parent of a teen or a pre-teen, chances are you have been faced with this question: Should I allow my child to have a cell phone? If you've already determined that cell phone ownership would be a wise idea for your son or daughter, the next question you'll confront is: Which cell phone plan would be best for the younger member or members of the family?

As you might expect, there are a number of factors to consider when selecting cell phone service for your child:

A Lone-Ranger Plan. This stand-alone plan allows your teen to have his or her own private cell phone account. For the most part, that means keeping usage and per-minute fees under control. Your teen will talk less-and you will save more money in the long run.

The Add-On. With this type of plan, phone service for your child is added onto your own cell phone account. This means that you'll need to share minutes with your child-along with sharing the responsibility of phone ownership.

The Pre-Paid Version. With this plan, you'll pay for your child's cell phone minutes in advance. When the minutes have been used up, the service ends. While this may be the most economical option, it can also be the most frustrating-especially if your teen loses service during an emergency or another inopportune time.

A Local Unlimited Program. If your teen will be making only local calls, this plan may be your best bet, since local calling minutes are unlimited. However, your teen will have to pay costly long-distance fees with this type of plan.

Making Your Decision

Talk with your teenager about how the cell phone will be used. If you both agree that your child will primarily be calling local friends and relatives, you'll probably want to opt for a local unlimited plan. If you feel that your teen is not yet responsible enough to keep track of minutes, a prepaid program may be the most appropriate choice.

Also, be sure to do some comparison shopping before making your final choice. This means comparing policies involving anytime minutes, weekend minutes, general monthly charges, long distance fees, and peak minutes. You may also need to ask detailed questions, such as what the charges for text messages are; what the fees for Internet access might be: and whether you can alter the plan during the time when the contract is in force.

In addition, you may want to talk to other parents about their experiences with various cell phone plans. If you find a number of couples complaining about a particular provider, you may want to take your business elsewhere. After all, you don't want your teen to be stranded on the highway with a cell phone that keeps flashing a "no service" warning.

The Final Analysis

In the end, you may discover that a family plan works best. This is because such a plan enables you to divvy up minutes to members of your brood. Such a plan also instills family cooperation, encouraging better communication between parents and children and between brothers and sisters. Shared minute plans can offer similar benefits.

If you find that the plan you select meets your family's needs-if the members of your household seldom complain about service-chances are you've found the appropriate plan. And that should make each member of the family happy!

Go to Telecom Beacon for more helpful cellular guides and great cell phone deals.

Simple Freedom Prepaid Cell Phone Rates - Cards Services

When shopping for cell phone service, the first and best place to start is the internet. Use one of the search engines and do some serious comparison shopping. One that came to my attention recently was Simple Freedom prepaid cell phones.
This prepaid cell phone service charges just 15 cents per minute regardless of time of day, local or long distance; this is a distinct advantage over a conventional cell phone deal that charges more for daytime (or peak) rates.
A prepaid cell phone is a natural fit for kids and can be an excellent tool to teach your teen how to budget. Want to keep your teen's cell phone time down to a reasonable minimum? Then purchase only so many minutes per month - let's say 200 - and when those minutes are gone, no more minutes until the next month.
My sister pays for about 200 minutes per month for her daughter, and if the kid uses up her minutes before the month is out, she has to buy her own minutes. Needless to say, she is becoming very responsible about keeping track of her cell phone time!
A prepaid cell phone is especially useful for those who don't spend a lot of time talking but who may just want an emergency phone - in case of a breakdown on the highway, or calling for a ride when away from home. At 15 cents per minute, a Simple Freedom prepaid cell phone is still a better deal than a public pay phone!
When travelling, a prepaid cell phone is an excellent communications resource. Before you travel, check with your provider regarding nationwide coverage and be aware of areas where your cell phone may not work.
The advantage that prepaid cell phones have over conventional plans (with regard to travel) is that a conventional plan can be much more costly and runs for a month or more, whereas a prepaid plan is pay as you go - so you only pay for as many minutes as you really need - or use.
One disadvantage of prepaid cell phones is that some models are indeed cheap - as in poorly made, with bad batteries. That being said, however, it is also true that the greater majority of prepaid cell phones are of excellent quality.
The question to ask yourself is, simply, are Simple Freedom prepaid cell phones the right fit for my needs? Does Alltell have a prepaid plan that is right for me? Best advice? Research this topic! Get the facts before you make a decision. But be of good cheer; prepaid cell phones are not necessarily a lifetime commitment, but can be an excellent communications tool for you.
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CINGULAR WIRELESS ENHANCES GOPHONE PREPAID SERVICES.: An article from: RBOC Update

This digital document is an article from RBOC Update, published by Worldwide Videotex on July 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1091 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: CINGULAR WIRELESS ENHANCES GOPHONE PREPAID SERVICES.
Publication: RBOC Update (Newsletter)
Date: July 1, 2005
Publisher: Worldwide Videotex
Volume: 16 Issue: 7 Page: NA

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Guide For Best Cellular Phone Services

If you want to get the best cellular phone services, it is not too difficult. All you need is a guide to cellular phone service. This guide is very important. Because, it can help us choose the best cellular phone services available.

Because the scale of operations related to the number of customer markets, the best cellular services in one area will be totally different when compared to other areas. You will be able to find the best services in your area, if you can follow some tips below.

Cellular Phone Services Reviews

Reviews can be sourced from your own research, based on online reviews, magazines, and newspapers. Furthermore, information that originates from the people closest to you, your friends and colleagues, by asking them to talk about their experiences both good and bad with cellular phone services out there. Maybe this is the best way to find the best cellular phone services for you.

Comparative Research

You can make a comparison of plans, cost and coverage, etc., by visiting the web site cellular phone services out there. This can be related to how many years you would use particular cellular service plan, a better deal with more bids because you choose the service with a longer period, and discounts, bonus, or a voucher for free if you sign a long contract.

Cellular Connectivity

This involves how much service and coverage of cellular services, and you should make sure that you choose a cellular phone service provider that will provide seamless connectivity in your city or even country in which you will need to use their services in a way.

Services and Offers

In this case, you must choose the right plan, because your decision will be related to the cost. Make sure you only select a service plan with features that fit your needs.

Another way to get a deal best cellular phone services is to make online purchases, which in this way provides many benefits. However, before you make a deal you are required to conduct online research thoroughly. For that you need to make a list of all registered cellular phone services in your area location. The information needed to be explained, among others, address, zip code, tariff, phone and money saving offers from various mobile service providers.

You should also identify appropriate cellular services' plans that meet the needs of call with an affordable price. This is done to address the changes in the bidding conducted by the most cellular service provider on a weekly or monthly.

You also need to know the advantages and disadvantages of prepaid and postpaid plans. For customers who want fewer minutes per month, prepaid plans are very ideal. Prepaid plans have no monthly rent, no deposits, service fees, and costs of termination of employment contracts. However, the cost of calls and short messaging services from prepaid plans are more expensive than postpaid plans. And usually, for both outgoing and incoming calls also have to pay.

Customer Service

This is intended to measure a snapshot of the customer support team to handle customer requests and complaints. You can ask questions related to their plans and to gain direct experience and feel about the quality of customer service.

Presumably, above tips will enable you to be able to take good decisions and start calling cellular phone services you have chosen the least think is the best in your area. Hopefully, you are lucky!

For more and clear information, please visit: id-Wireless, Best Guide to Wireless, Brief and Straightforward Guide about wireless and gadgets.

So Many Cell Phone Providers!

Wherever you're located, the likelihood of having a choice among several cellular service providers for your wireless needs is high. Major cities usually have a choice between 3-5 major service providers and another 2-4 mini cellular players. The seemingly endless combinations of service providers makes way for some confusing yet interesting options for consumers. This brief article will help new cell phone consumers, and some old, learn the basic ins and outs of cell phone service providers.

First a clarifications on network terms you'll encounter.

CDMA: Short for Code-Division Multiple Access, this is a digital cellular technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques. Unlike competing systems that use TDMA, such as GSM, CDMA does not assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel uses the full available spectrum. The frequency of the transmitted signal is then made to vary according to a defined pattern, so it can be intercepted only by a receiver whose frequency response is programmed with the same code, so it follows exactly along with the transmitter frequency. Major CDMA players are in North America are Telus Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and Bell Mobility.

GSM: GSM is currently the world's largest cellular network. GSM stand for Global System for Mobile Communications. GSM uses narrowband TDMA, which allows eight simultaneous calls on the same radio frequency. Considered the most advanced digital cellular technology, GSM networks are leaders in many typically "digital" services including Short Message Service (SMS), over the air (OTA) configuration and GSM positioning. Many new GSM phones are called "global phones" because they can be used in virtually any country. They also have SIM cards ("Subscriber Identification Module") that enable unique identification of each user and easy transportation of your data between phones. GSM 900 (transmitting on the 900 MHz frequency band) is Europe's main digital network. It's also used in the Asia-Pacific region. GSM 1800 is also used in Europe and Asia, but has not been as widely adopted as GSM 900. GSM 1900 is the system used mainly in the Americas and Canada. Top North American providers are Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile, Rogers Wireless and Fido.

So the question is now which network do I choose? GSM appears to provide a greater range for those who travel, yet CDMA supposedly has clearer reception. Theoretically having the entire spectrum available for your use should mean greater call clarity, however, this is not always the case. Many CDMA subscribers will attest that their GSM counterparts have better reception in some hard to reach areas.

Consumers should also be mindful of the types of phones available on each network. Manufacturers try to produce phones for each, nonetheless, LG typically produces cell phones for the CDMA network, and Nokia on the GSM, (although Nokia has a huge CDMA portfolio as well.) Take some time and browse the phones and their options -- you have a huge selection so start now. Wireless functions such as SMS, or roaming may dictate which carrier you choose. But again, you have plenty of options to choose from, and if you've never had a cell phone before, take some time to learn about the hundreds of options you have, both in a phone and with particular plans/carriers. Don't just compare phones either. Providers nowadays have comparable phones, therefore, the selling feature may be plans and attached options. Price, when evenings begin, add-on costs such as txt messaging, data-transfer, should all be compared and analyzed before purchase. Be sure to take advantage of monthly deals from providers, usually you can get a solid cell phone for FREE! Generally you need to sign up for a contract that lasts 2-3 years, however, if you're planning on staying with the firm and are confident with your choice, the contract isn't such a bad idea.

Switching providers is also an option with existing customers. Let me explain. Switching carriers is no longer a tedious event. Already present in the US and soon to be implemented in Canada, cell phone number portability will enable customers to switch service providers to take advantage of 'new activation' discounts with the new carrier all while keeping your old phone number. This feature can only benefit the consumer. Service providers will likely lower their fees and increase their perks in attempt to prevent a mass exodus from their customer base.

Some other phone options include prepaid options, where you can prepay for a pre-determined amount of minutes, no contract. You can also invest in unlocked cell phones, where you do not have the contract obligations and you own the phone. It works like this: you purchase the phone, usually from an independent dealer, then you activate the phone with a compatible service provider on a monthly plan. This is a pricey option, typically high end phones fall under this category, those that aren't offered by the carrier but will operate on their network.

So as you can tell there are plenty of phone and carrier options for customers vying to get the best deal. The biggest thing is likely patience. Be patient when it comes to purchasing, better deals likely lie somewhere else. Also, figure out what your needs are. Do you travel? Want to be tied into a contract? Once you know what you want, compare between providers. Do the same type of comparison with phone featuress as well. You'll be surprised how a little research on phone and service provider quality can save you a load of headaches in the future.

Visit DiscussWireless for consumer discussion forums with categories of all major cell phone providers and manufacturers. Compare and review cell phones and plans here, read posts from other consumers regarding service issues and phone reviews.

Your First Contract Cell Phone

Shopping for a new phone can be an exciting time, it can also be a little bit overwhelming. Below are some of the questions that you may be asked in your local store before you make a purchase of a new phone. If you have an understanding of some of these beforehand that it will help not to be overwhelmed by the amount of information that is required.


Do you have a contract of presence?
Are you looking for a prepaid phone or contract phone?
How many text messages will you send?
Do you require Internet access?
Will you just be making local phone calls?
Will you be making long-distance calls?
These are the types of questions you will be asked and man does it really get confusing.
Before you head to your local store you need to sit down and have a clear understanding of what you require beforehand. The first basic question must be asked is do you actually need a contract phone or will a prepaid phone be sufficient? I ask this because as I'm sure you're aware with a contract phone you'll have to pay a monthly fee compared to prepay phone where you simply just pay for the calls you make or to text messages you send.
All network service providers have packages that will suit your needs, they want you as a customer and you are in the ideal situation as a new customer coming to purchase a brand-new contract. Don't just go into the first store and sign up immediately you want a comparison and need to check with a few different stores and network service providers to see who has the best deal. You can possibly do a little bit of research on the Internet beforehand.
Check out the network service provider's websites for information on tariffs and pricing on cell phones. By having this research done beforehand you will be in a better position if you are in a store and want to make a purchase - it's you that's in the driving seat to sign the contract so make sure you get the best deal for you.
A friend of mine recently signed up for a new contract over the web with Verizon he was able to get a good deal as he had spent a little bit of time researching the various websites so he went to AT&T and Cingular and Virgin mobile and not forgetting think he also had a look at Sprint mobile website. He was quite lucky because he is able to pick up the cellular phone about $30 cheaper than in store I think it may have been a midweek offer they were doing so it's worth checking for a few days to see if prices fluctuate.







Martin Smith is a writer providing advice on HTC Dream Cell Phone if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

How Can You Save Money on Cell Phone Plans?

Most people already have a cell phone, or are planning on buying one soon. Most people also want to save money while still getting the best cell phone plans they can. Most cell phone plans are based on your usage, so figuring out how you'll use your phone is one way to save a little every month. It can take some work on your part to save money on a cell phone plan, but in the end, it'll be worth it. Here are a few tips for people who'd like to find a less expensive plan without giving up useful features.
Compare Providers and Plans
When you decide what cell phone you want, one of the first things you'll have to do is choose a provider. There are quite a few available, including US Cellular, Vreizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, Nextel and Alltel. You'll want to compare and review the plans and phones available from each carrier to help save money. Consider these things when you make your package and provider comparisons:
1.Rollover minutes are minutes that you don't use in one month, but which can be carried over into the following month. These normally last a year, and can keep you from wasting money on unused minutes. Find out if a plan you're considering allows you to keep rollover minutes.
2. Text messaging is getting a lot more popular. This means that the exact text messaging features offered by your provider are important. Find out if you pay a set amount per text message you send, have a flat fee for a certain number of messages, or unlimited text messaging. A good text message plan is vital if you use this form of communication often.
3. Evening and weekend minutes can allow you to save a reasonably large amount of money. Many plans offer free minutes on nights and weekends. If you spend most of your time on the phone during this period, be sure your plan offers free evening and weekend minutes.
4. Unlimited mobile to mobile services will let you talk to anyone else who's in the same network. Usually there's a small flat fee associated with this feature, but if people you talk to regularly are in the same network, you could save some money but using it.
Get Rid of Unneeded Extras
One more way to save money on your cellular plan is to get rid of extras you don't need. Here are just a few things that might be included in your plan that aren't often used.
· Roadside assistance seems like a great idea, but many people go overboard. There's no point in having roadside assistance on your cell phone plan if you also carry AAA coverage, or have other plans that will help you if your car breaks down.
· Insurance on your cell phone can be an unnecessary expense. If you have a fancy, expensive cell phone, you may need the coverage in case it's damaged or lost. However, if you're just using a basic phone and haven't had problems in the past, you'll quickly pay more than the cost of your phone to insure it.
Try Using Prepaid Cellular Phone Plans
Prepaid cellular phone plans are great if you don't use a lot of minutes, or aren't sure when you'll be using your minutes. If you're using a prepaid plan, you'll never have to deal with a contract or a monthly charge. You pay as you go, refilling your phone whenever it runs out of money. Many major cell phone providers have started offering this kind of service to people who don't need or want a regular cell phone plan.
People who have bad credit, or can't afford a high payment up front can also stand to benefit from using prepaid cellular phone plans. You'll be in control of your usage and costs, making it impossible to accidentally run up a high bill. Your phone will warn you when you're about to run out of money. You can then refill it, either by buying a card with minutes, or by calling into a special number.
Family Cell Phone Plans Can Help Save Money
If your whole family uses a cell phone, buying a family plan can reduce your rates. There are a number of different mobile phone plans offered by major companies that are designed specifically for families. It's almost always cheaper to use a family plan than to buy a separate plan for everyone. You may even be able to get a discount on the family plan's already low rate, allowing you to save even more. Many plans allow you to call everyone in your family for free, making it easy to contact parents or children if required.
There are many different ways to save on your cell phone plan. Start by comparing plans and companies to help reduce your rates, then pare down any extras you don't use. If you're not a routine cell phone user, consider switching to a prepaid plan to save some more money, and remember that family plans can help if you need to get phones for a number of different people in your household. Just use these tips, and you'll have an easy time saving money on cell phone plans.







Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to CellPhoneEasyCall.com a website designed to inform consumers on all aspects of cell phones, cell phone accessories and Cell Phone Plans so they can make an informed decision on the right cellular phone and where to buy them online.

Family Cell Phone Plans - Comparison Shopping To Help You Choose The Best Plan

With the myriad of cell phone plans that are available through the various carriers today, it can be a bit of a challenge to muddle through it all, trying to find the best package for your family. Each has their own special set of perks that are offered, in order to entice potential customers to purchase a contract and commit themselves to a particular amount of time with the company. Although you'd be hard-pressed to find a carrier that locks you in for more than two years - those days are gone - you're still committing your patronage for a designated amount of time, and - that being the case - will have a bit of research to do before settling on a specific package. Where do you begin?

Work the Room

One of the best ways to gather information on any product is to solicit the opinions of others who have used it at one time or another. Since cell phones are such a hot commodity today, and everyone who uses one must purchase some type of cell phone plan in order to use it, then there's a lot of information that's available to you in virtually any place where you'll be exposed to others - in other words, everywhere.

Extended Family - Since family members often chat with each other at some point during the day via cell phone, check with other family members who are outside your home to see which plan they use and how well it works for them. Depending upon their circumstances, of course, the plan that they have might not be tailored to the needs of your family, but it's a good starting point.

Friends - Although many folks have a very limited number of extended family members in their immediate area, most have a wide variety of friends from which to gather information. It's in your best interests, therefore, to find out what works best for them. If their families' needs are similar to yours, you can get a gold mine of information that might help you to select the best family cell phone plan from among the many that are offered in your particular area.

Neighbors - If you're the type that doesn't barricade yourself from the neighbors with tall hedges that serve to discourage communication, then you're probably in the position to check with those who are living around you about which local carriers offer good family plans. Since most people today carry this type of device, then the chances are good that you'll come up with something worthwhile.

Co-Workers - One of the main reasons that adults invest in cell phones today is to keep in touch with family members during the time when they're at work or are traveling on work-related business. Therefore, finding a great family cell phone plan is a real priority for them, and you can cash in on the research that they've already done. Keep in mind that their particular carrier may not be available in your area, but chances are good that they are, since most people don't have an overly long commute to and from work each day.

Clubs/Organizations/Extracurricular Activities - Whether you work out at the gym twice each week, attend an art class or belong to a bridge club, you have the potential to meet a large number of people who use cellular phones and can speak to you about their options packages. Keep in mind that learning about what they use is only half of the research - getting information about what plans didn't work for them is the other half. Sometimes, carriers make a product look great but, when put to practical use, it's found to be failing.

Online Community - Lots of information can be found online regarding cell phone service plans, and one of the best ways to find information about specific carriers and their plans is to search for cell phone reviews. These are easily found - by simply typing "cell phone review" into the keyword area of your favorite search engine - and offer the added benefit of being up-to-date and usually fairly specific regarding the assets and liabilities of the packages' particulars.

Compiling the Data

It's important to keep in mind that there are lots of different types of plans that are available, so there's a lot more research to do be done than may be immediately apparent. For instance, the term "cell phone plan" is very generic, since there are various types of service; so when it's time to compare cell phone plans, you'll have to consider each type of service that's offered through each carrier. Among the many things that you'll have to examine are prepaid cell phone plans, "no contract" cell phone plans, "pay as you go" mobile phones and internet phone service. Once you've narrowed it down to the specific type of cell phone service that you prefer, then you'll have to take the particular features into consideration. These may include long distance plans, multiple phone options, "free minutes" packages and mobile-to-mobile options, to name a few.

In order to weave your way through all of the information that you've collected, it's best to list the cellular phone carriers that you've examined, listing each option and its specifics. Once this list has been compiled, then it's time to decide what type of cell phone coverage is necessary in order to meet your particular needs. Through the good old-fashioned process of elimination, most of your work will be done before you make the attempt to contact any of the cellular phone companies. When you get to that point, you might also be surprised by a few specials that are being offered at the time, which will end up saving you even more on your monthly cell phone bill.

Taking the Shortest Route

Since finding a solid cell phone plan for your family can require a good deal of time and effort, you may wish to consider taking a bit of a shortcut when it comes to information gathering. Rather than approaching everyone on an individual basis, for instance, you might think of having a get-together - maybe even a "cell phone party"! - so that you can bring most of your contacts directly to you, rather than seeking each of them out at different times and places. Doing effective research is time-consuming enough, so take the shortest route to your investigative destination and get a good deal of it over with at once.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for pay as you go mobile phones [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/cell-phone-reviews.html], cell phone family plans [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/index.html] and cell phone packages [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/prepaid-cell-phones.html].

Firefly vs Migo - Choosing a Cell Phone for Your Kid

This article is designed to provide a review and comparison between the two leading kids cell phones: the Firefly and the Migo from LG (the TicTalk will not be discussed). Designed to equip consumers with the latest reviews this article will provide a brief analysis about the pros and cons regarding these two cell phones. Let's get started....
The Firefly has been out for a while, mid-2005 exposed the Firefly plans and towards Q3 of 2005 the Firefly was coming onto US markets namely on the Cingular network. The GSM enabled handset appealed to the kid audience through parents by offering basic features on a simple phone. The added 'security' appealed to parents hence the rush for other manufacturers to produce a similar device. Lo and behold, LG was next inline offering their version called the Migo. The LG VX 1000 Migo is a CDMA enabled handset and operates on the Verizon network.
This article doesn't look at the practicality of the devices, but compares the two against each other; which device should you buy if you had the choice. Since both operate on different networks this means if you're already with a carrier your choice may be restricted. As stated, the Firefly operates on the GSM network (T-Mobile, Cingular, Rogers), and the Migo operates on the CDMA network (Verizon, Sprint, Telus? or Bell?). The thing with GSM phones is you could potentially purchase it 'unlocked' and activate it on any GSM network provider of your choice. You cannot do the same with CDMA. If you're purchasing for the first time and will choose between the two networks (Cingular and Verizon in the States) then the rest of this review will help your decision making.
Weighing in at a paltry 56 grams, designed to accommodate smaller hands, the Blue and Pink Firefly measures 1.75 x 3.46 x .79, weighs 2.12 ounces, offers up to 2.5 hours of talk time, and up to 100 hours of standby; a bare bones 850/1900 MHz GSM cell phone that permits parents to limit outgoing calls to certain numbers and also sports 'mom' and 'dad' buttons for quick dialling.
Conversely, the green Migo measures 1.77 x 3.42 x 1.07 weighs 2.4 ounces, offers 4 hours of talk time, but unfortunately no prepaid options are available with this phone. Network: CDMA; High-Speed Data: 1xRTT; remember, neither phones have Bluetooth, cameras, or any additional features common on regular phones. The phone also shows 5 buttons for quick dialling and emergency dialling.
Pro: Firefly. With the Firefly you can limit who calls your child based on a pre-programmed list. The Migo does not offer this security feature so essentially junior can give the number to friends and get them to call. The Migo only permits 5 programmable outgoing call numbers while the Firefly list enables 20.
Pro: Migo. The Migo works with hearing aids. Also, the second antenna is for eventual GPS support, where that goes we won't know, but it is an additional feature on the Migo.
Con: Both phones are designed to give the bare phone essentials. However, they are candybar styles, which means the Firefly antenna is located within the phone unit and does not protrude out. This means cellular frequencies are closer to the brain. The question now revolves around how early is too early for exposing kids to cellular frequencies on a regular basis? On one hand you don't want to risk your child's health, on the other hand scientific research is still inconclusive when it comes to cell phone 'radiation'. The juror is still out on this one, be your own judge regarding the health impacts. The Migo's SAR rating is 0.915 w/kg when held up to the head, below the legal limit of 1.6 w/kg and also below the Firefly's level of 1.322 w/kg. The Migo antennas are outside of the phone as well.
Conclusion: Both phones offer pretty much the same features and are built in the same way. If you're on a network already and just want to add a kid phone then it's Firefly for GSM and Migo for CDMA. Simple. If you're getting a phone on a new network then it seems the Firefly wins by an edge. This article does not investigate the durability of the phones because they are both so new (the Migo especially), nor does it look at the sound quality. Both phones are near equal in this respect, however, the Firefly seems to be built stronger and the Migo appears to have marginally better sound in preliminary tests. Remember, a teen will not enjoy these phones for their basic nature, but your young child may benefit from the added security. Firefly seems to offer more in this security detail. So for now, points to Firefly, barely.







Visit DiscussWireless for consumer driven support forums for all cell phone brands, PDA devices, and cell phone providers. Review your favorite cell phones or purchase and compare prices of cell phones in the compare and review section.

Straight Talk Prepaid - Current Deals and Offers

Straight Talk Wireless has two prepaid plans that are gaining considerable success in the cellular service marketplace. It's no surprise that these plans have become pretty formidable competition to other prepaid providers because both of the available plans are very good deals.

Straight Talk faces stiff competition from the likes of Boost Mobile, T-Mobile (which recently released a prepaid BlackBerry plan among others), MetroPCS (which continues to jostle its prices and service plans looking for the perfect niche), and Cricket (which offers quite attractive service plans and rates in certain parts of the country). There are a veritable plethora of prepaid plans from which to choose-so it always pays to do the research and check out all the competition until you are satisfied with the plan you decide upon.

Straight Talk's two plans are actually quite similar, but just offer different degrees of freedom with minutes and text messages and other features. The $30 All You Need plan is a great option for people who need a basic wireless plan that will give them all the minutes and messaging capability they need. This plan comes with 1,000 text messages (sent and received) and the same amount of talk time minutes, so clearly you are not going to be hurting for lack of staying connected.

But if you talk on your phone a lot and like to constantly stay connected with friends and family and like to browse the web frequently, the Unlimited Straight Talk plan may be a better option. And at a price point of $45, this plan, which included unlimited talk, text, and browsing, is not exactly going to break the bank.

One of the phones available on the Straight Talk plans is the Samsung R451C cell phone. At just under $100, this solid but rather basic cell phone is a good middle of the road option to use on one of these prepaid plans. Another available handset is the Samsung Finesse. The Finesse is a higher-end, feature-rich phone with a touch screen that has drawn comparison to the Apple iPhone.

The comparison ends at the touch screen however, as Samsung Finesse does not allow third party apps or even stream video from popular video sites. The phone retails at $300, which puts it in line with other smartphones, but it is very expensive for a prepaid phone. Still, with a Straight Talk plan, you will be able to recoup your savings very quickly. Each month you will only be paying $30 or $45, which is quite cheap.

The Motorola RAZR phone is another handset option for either of these plans. The phone costs $99. The RAZR has been around for a while and is another good middle of the road cell phone option. Straight Talk deals also include free shipping for the phone you purchase, which will save you a few dollars. It should be noted that both plans provide unlimited 411 calling, which is at least a dollar of savings each time you use that function. Straight Talk Wireless plans run on Verizon's nationwide prepaid network.

Read a review with more details about the $45 Unlimited Plan. Also, read why some people are calling the $30 All You Need plan from Straight Talk one of the best in the business in a prepaid plan review.

Talk Cheaper to Your Near and Dear Ones

If you make international calls for a substantial period, the phone cards are an intelligent option for you. It is your opportunity to save as much as 80% of your money in comparison to a standard dialing service. These cards are like debit cards for payphones. The number at the back of a card has to be typed in and the call you want to make can be done. The customer service will tell you how much balance you have left on your card before the call goes through.

Many people do not use cell phones. The phone cards are real gifts for these people. Some of you may say that not many people use payphones any more. True that cell phones have taken over global communication almost entirely, and it is due to the same reason that phone cards that go with your cell phone are now widely available. When the phone cards are used on your cell phone, the cell phone company receives the money. You also do not use up all of your time. It is particularly beneficial if you have used up all your time and do not want to use up any more money on getting talk time.

You have to find out that the phone card is compatible with your cell phone company. Researching online before you buy a phone card is important because you then have a better chance of getting the best deals for yourself. There are instances when you buy phone cards and you get money added to the card for free. These are very beneficial because they are special offers and you have to look out for these offers. These offers are sure to come your way more easily as you shop online and you are more aware of the offers.

Some people want to use their cell phones without the monthly charges or the contract. There are also certain features that they never use. One of the means to avoid a service contract and monthly charges is by using a prepaid cellular phone. Some cell phones work with a phone card. There are different denominations of these cards and the denominations refer to the minutes. When the minutes run out, the cell phones stop working. The phone is useless without these cards. Apart form these uses, the phone cards can be used for many other functions.

Smart-Phone-Cards.com offers phone cards, prepaid phone cards, international calling cards for Russia, India, China & other countries at affordable prices.

How To Pick The Best Cell Phone Plan Without Pulling Your Hair Out

Cell phones have become a big part of our lives and it seems like everyone has one. They enable us to stay contact with our friends and family members, as well as call for help if there's an emergency while on the road. There are 6 main providers of cell phone service. They are Alltel, Verizon, Cricket, Cingular, T-Mobile and US Cellular. With so many providers competing for your business, it can be very difficult to choose the one that's best for you. Consider the different types of plans that these companies offer to help make the choice easier.
Package Plans
The first thing to consider when choosing your plan is what you will primarily use the cell phone for. If you are going to use it for your main source of communication, then it's best to choose a package plan. These plans include not only daytime minutes but offer other features, such as no roaming charges, free long distance and free nights and weekend minutes. Make sure to ask what time the free night minutes begin, since they vary from company to company. Naturally, you will want the one that starts the earliest.
Anytime Minutes Plans
Packages that offer just anytime minutes might be more cost effective, if you will be using your house phone when returning home at night and during the weekends. These plans offer a set price for the amount of minutes that you choose. Determine how often you think you will use this phone, so that you can choose the right amount of minutes on the plan. This is also good for families, since many providers will allow you to share your minutes with other family members. This way you won't have to have multiple phone accounts.
Prepaid Cell Phones
Another option is prepaid cell phones. These phones are good to give to children. Many parents give cell phones to their children, so that they check up on them. It also gives the child the ability to call for help should an emergency arise. The problem is that children may use the phone to call their friends and go over the minutes on the calling plan. This can result in large phone bills. By giving a child a prepaid cell phone, they are limited in the number of calls they can make and there's no worry about breaking the bank when the bill arrives.
As you make your plan comparisons with the providers, ask about what specials they are offering. The competition between them is fierce and many run special promotions where you can get a free or low cost phone and a good plan at an excellent price. Also, if you are going to be traveling to another part of the country, make sure that there is a signal available there.
By knowing the type of plan that you need and doing your research, you will be better able to pick the plan that's right for you.







Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Cell Phones and Accessories [http://www.cellphoneaccessoriesplus.com] at [http://www.cellphoneaccessoriesplus.com]

Tips on How to Use Prepaid Phone Cards Smartly

Are you one of the millions of consumers using a prepaid cell phone plan? Below are tips on how you can definitely save more by smartly using your prepaid phone.
Choose a prepaid plan that is just right for you. Prepaid phone plans vary depending on the carrier or service provider. A phone plan that works for one person may not be practicable for another. If you are a post paid phone user who wants to switch to a prepaid service, do research and comparison diligently. When comparing, carefully consider whether the inclusions of the package go well with your lifestyle and personal needs.
Do not overload. Prepaid phones are reloadable using call cards. Prepaid phone call cards come in different denominations ( $10, $20 to $100 and up). Be sure to check the expiration period before loading a new call card to your phone. Remember that once the balance has been loaded to your account, you will have to consume it within the given period. Otherwise, all unused balance will be lost and you will need to reload a new card to make new calls or send text messages from your cellular phone.
Always bring an extra call card. Some post paid plan users may be hesitant to go prepaid because of one inconvenience - reloading. It is a fact that looking for a reloading station or a call card merchant can be very challenging.
Bringing an extra prepaid phone call card wherever you go can really help especially during emergencies since you won't have to worry about not having enough balance in your account. Thus, you can reload your cell phone at any time.
Get to know your provider's terms. See to it that you are familiar with your chosen prepaid cell phone service company's Terms of service. Get to know the exact areas where coverage is provided. Understand the per-minute call and text rates. Does the cell phone company offer promos or discounts that fit your needs?
In addition, you need to know the exact types of mobile phone units are offered by a prospective carrier. Take note that some handsets, especially smart phones, may not be compatible with a prepaid plan. If you have a specific phone model in mind that you want to use, you will want to check first with your preferred prepaid cell phone company.
Avoid unnecessary calls. True, the call per minute rate can be higher with prepaid cell phone plans compared to a post paid plan. If you constantly need to make calls on a daily basis or if you spend more than 300 minutes of talk time on your mobile phone, then you can save more with a post paid cell phone plan. However, if you usually use your cell phone for sending text messages and occasional calls, then you can better control your phone spending if you go with a prepaid plan. Before making the decision, always consider first if a particular plan goes well with your personal lifestyle.
Copyright (c) 2010 Tara Tiemann







Credit analyst of Go-Prepaid.com, Tara Tiemann has been a resource site for those who are on debt and wanted to live their lives debt free! Are you on a budget? Do you want to save big in your finances? Then using prepaid debit card and prepaid credit cards would be a great help.