Live chat: choosing a cell phone plan

2007-06-18 10:57:00.0 Administrator: Hello. Welcome to the chat with Jim Granelli on picking a cell phone plan. Please shoot us your questions for Jim.

2007-06-18 10:57:27.0 Bill: I read your article in the Sunday LA Times. Unfortunately it did not address prepaid phone plans. I am retired, my wife does not work, but we do have a 13 year old intermediate school student. We only want a phone for emergency calls. What do you recommend in the way of pre-paid phone plans to be used only in case of emergencies? Thank you.

2007-06-18 10:58:51.0 Jim Granelli: Yes, we touched only lightly on prepaid plans because the vast majority of folks are on post-paid plans. However, we’ll most likely be writing a separate story about prepaid plans in the next month or so.

2007-06-18 11:00:11.0 PhilSal: I have had very good luck with Virgin Mobile. Can you comment on the various pre-paid service suplliers?

2007-06-18 11:00:39.0 Jim Granelli: As for recommendations, I try not to steer people to any one provider. You should take a looke at the websites of the prepaid guys, from Virgin Mobile to Tracphone to Boost, to see what works for you.

2007-06-18 11:00:44.0 PhilSal: I look forward to your report.

2007-06-18 11:02:22.0 Jim Granelli: Nearly all the prepaid providers lease network facilities from one of the major players. Sprint is the most active background network, handling the traffic for such companies as Virgin Mobile and its own subsidiary, Boost.

2007-06-18 11:02:25.0 deetj: did I miss a reco on the iPhone?

2007-06-18 11:02:54.0 Jim Granelli: Not sure, deetj, what you mean by “reco.”

2007-06-18 11:03:11.0 deetj: recomendation

2007-06-18 11:04:30.0 Jim Granelli: One of my colleagues, David Colker, wrote on the iPhone on Sunday. I don’t do reviews, so I’m not making recommendations for specific products. However, I have tried a number of handsets and service providers.

2007-06-18 11:06:00.0 deetj: Then, I guess my question would be more about AT&T’s pland and the performance of the EDEG network for those of us who use our phone for multimedia.

2007-06-18 11:06:26.0 deetj: I guess I cannot spell today either.

2007-06-18 11:06:56.0 Jim Granelli: On the iPhone, remember that it’s starting out on the EDGE network but will move to the 3G speeds soon. Rumor is by the end of the year.

2007-06-18 11:07:49.0 Jim Granelli: AT&T is pushing out its 3G network quickly, tho it’s still behind the Sprint and Verizon Wireless EVDO networks.

2007-06-18 11:07:57.0 deetj: It is the inability to download OTA that makes me worry that for $600 I’m better off getting something else.

2007-06-18 11:08:26.0 rhonidev: instead of the I Phone Sprint’s is better value better savings and value and Sprint is the only one with EVDO-REV A

2007-06-18 11:09:04.0 rhonidev: on the UPSTAGE by Samsung

2007-06-18 11:09:07.0 Jim Granelli: Well, people do have concerns about being unable to download songs over the air, an even simpler process than you’ll go through for the iPhone. But then those adept at iPod maneuvering believe it’s no problem at all.

2007-06-18 11:10:27.0 deetj: It’s not just music, but video and applications that are faily easy to get on Sprint and Verizon that I am worried about. Music is just sideloading and am used to that with my MP3.

2007-06-18 11:10:29.0 Jim Granelli: Yes, the Upstage appears to be a quick response to the iPhone, but, of course, it’s not the full counter. I’m testing that one now and find some of the touch aspects of it, well, a little too touchy.

2007-06-18 11:11:39.0 Jim Granelli: The ease of downloading or sideloading is something to consider when you’re looking at the possibility of buying an iPhone vs. a souped-up smartphone.

2007-06-18 11:11:41.0 PhilSal: So go ahead and “Jim Granelli will share tips and tricks to employ when it comes time to pick a new cell phone plan.”

2007-06-18 11:13:29.0 Jim Granelli: Sorry, but I didn’t see the promo, so I’m not sure I have “tricks” to offer. But there are a number of things that you should look for.

2007-06-18 11:14:34.0 Jim Granelli: At the end of your contract, you have a chance to move to another carrier, if you so desire. That’s a bit of leverage you could use with your current carrier to see what else it might offer you. All companies not only want to retain customers but to treat long-time customers well.

2007-06-18 11:14:38.0 steve: About the more basic plans: my wife and I each have a phone and we only use about 200 mins a month total. But with the cheaper plans we can’t get the $9.99 extra phone rates. Any ideas on a cheap alternative for two low-volume users?

2007-06-18 11:16:26.0 Jim Granelli: Also, you should check regularly with your current carrier, say every six months, to see what’s new. A colleague just found out, for instance, that he could have been getting more minutes for the same price had he only checked in earlier--before he got hosed with overages--to see the new rate plans.

2007-06-18 11:18:36.0 Jim Granelli: Yes, Steve, the values packages have moved to the higher-priced plans. To get a family plan where you pay only $10 more a month for a second phone (oddly called a line by the carriers), you need to buy into the $40 or $50 a month plans. But try one of the prepaid services, which might help the most for those who make few calls.

2007-06-18 11:18:44.0 dean ross: dean ross here, What is the most inexpensive plan with no contract. I make mostly local calls in San Diego North County with an occasional long distance almost never out of So. Cal.

2007-06-18 11:20:38.0 Jim Granelli: In San Diego, you have another network that offers both prepaid and postpaid plans with “all-you-can-talk” and “all-you-can-text-msg” features. Company is called Leap Wireless, which puts out the Cricket brand cellphones

2007-06-18 11:22:34.0 LoveBug: Do you think pre-paid a mistake for teens. I give my kid 20 dollars a week for pre-paid cards. Thats 8o dollars a month!!!!!!!

2007-06-18 11:22:42.0 Jim Granelli: That’s just one option, Dean. You also should look at prepaid plans or, if you want to pay full price for the handset, you can likely get almost any of the major carriers’ plans without a contract. Most people want the discounts, which is one reason why the carriers offer one- and two-year contracts.

2007-06-18 11:24:41.0 Jim Granelli: No, most experts say a prepaid plan is ideal for teens because it shows them how much money they’re spending and teaches them about responsible purchases. You just have to rein in the costs by refusing to spend so much up front. Also...

2007-06-18 11:24:43.0 sue: I’m going to Mexico for two weeks. What do I need to set up to be able to use my AT&T phone?

2007-06-18 11:25:47.0 Jim Granelli: If your teen is spending so much time on the phone, voice and text, then it would be more advantageous to look for a post-paid plan. I wouldn’t use calling cards, tho, for regular use of the phone.

2007-06-18 11:25:53.0 cellmaster: HEY JIM, how is it legal for a carrier to allow only contracted phone plans besides the prepaid plans?

2007-06-18 11:27:08.0 Jim Granelli: First, make sure you have a handset that can operate in another country. Then call your carrier to see if you can upgrade the plan for a month to cover Mexico.

2007-06-18 11:27:38.0 Jim Granelli: Also, for just a few weeks, calling cards would be ideal.

2007-06-18 11:28:23.0 Jim Granelli: And finally, for heavy use of the phone in the foreign country, check out buying a SIM card there that you swap out your own SIM card.

2007-06-18 11:29:36.0 Jim Granelli: Don’t forget that this is private enterprise, cellmaster. A company can offer one kind of plan to the exclusion of all others. It just depends on what business model it wants to pursue.

2007-06-18 11:29:40.0 csmollin: Jim, what do you think is the best overall plan out there for P

2007-06-18 11:30:08.0 Administrator: What is “P”?

2007-06-18 11:30:24.0 tvdave: Jim, have you had an opportunity to try out the iphones typing interface? I’m curious to know if it’s as bad as the critics make it out to be.

2007-06-18 11:31:08.0 Jim Granelli: No, sorry, I haven’t tried the iPhone yet. We expect to be getting one soon to test.

2007-06-18 11:31:44.0 Administrator: Please send your questions to Jim. This chat will be ending at 11:45

2007-06-18 11:33:44.0 glasshousejmb: Jim, in general, will I do better to try to negotiate contract prices down with my existing carrier, or to switch carriers entirely?

2007-06-18 11:34:49.0 Jim Granelli: You should try to negotiate, tho be ready to switch if the carrier doesn’t offer you anything worthwhile.

2007-06-18 11:36:01.0 Jim Granelli: Also, you have to be realistic. These services do cost money, so you do have to pay something. The bigger question may be how well served you have been with your current carrier, regardless of a small additional amount that may be charged.

2007-06-18 11:36:04.0 dean ross: dean ross Thanks Jim I’ll check them out. I just bought a Pantech phone that has Cingular stenciled on the front. Does that mean it well only work with the Cingular network? I use to have a very inexpensive Trakphone frm Walmart. The promos they offered when u bought time made it very inexpensive. This new smaller, lighter, Pantech-Cingular phone has lots of bells and whistles but it is a pain. I am always charging the battery and Cingular pre-paid plan is a rip-off. If you use the phone once in a day, your charged $1.00 That means if I call my neighbor, what normally would cost 10 cents with trakphone cost $1.00 with Cingular.

2007-06-18 11:37:50.0 Jim Granelli: Ah, sounds as if the bells and whistles were too appealing. Simplicity can be the best advice for everyone. Don’t buy more than you need.

2007-06-18 11:38:45.0 Jim Granelli: The Tracfone from America Movil has been gaining in popularity. It’s a prepaid plan, like Virgin Mobile and the other mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs.

2007-06-18 11:38:48.0 glasshousejmb: What’s “worthwhile”? For example, AT&T has been pestering me to get a “free” 3G phone with a 2-year plan; switching plans will save me 40%/month, but tie me down for 2 yrs.

2007-06-18 11:39:43.0 Jim Granelli: Two years can go by pretty quickly if you don’t have problems with the phone. It can seem like an eternity if you do.

2007-06-18 11:40:31.0 Jim Granelli: I’ve always looked at it this way: If I haven’t had too many problems and the service works well, then I’m OK to sign up for an additional two years if the offer is something I want to take.

2007-06-18 11:40:53.0 Jim Granelli: And a 40% savings on a newer network seems to be a pretty good incentive.

2007-06-18 11:40:56.0 PhilSal: Many thanks for the chart compiled by Scott Wilson that compared various plans by several providers. It certainly saves us a lot of time.

2007-06-18 11:41:28.0 Jim Granelli: I’ll let him know. He worked hard on that one...

2007-06-18 11:41:53.0 Administrator: Any more questions for Jim? We’ve got a couple of minutes left.

2007-06-18 11:43:01.0 Administrator: Well, thank you Jim for all the good information and thank you all for coming to the chat.

2007-06-18 11:43:15.0 PhilSal: Bye

2007-06-18 11:43:48.0 Jim Granelli: Thanks for all your questions. I hope we were able to help. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail. It’s james.granelli@latimes.com

2007-06-18 11:43:56.0 dean ross: You right, I got sucked in with the bells + whistles I don’t need. But what else is new in capitalistic America. Do people really need 35, 45, 50 thousand dollar cars. Thanks for advice, Jim.....

2007-06-18 11:44:16.0 Jim Granelli: Good point