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| Wireless
Phone Shopping Tips |
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| Think you're
ready to go wireless? Here are PC World's
recommendations for wireless phones and service
plans that fit the needs of most users. |
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| Service
Plans |
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| Skip
the wireless Web (for now): Slow wireless
network speeds make Web surfing laborious.
Wait until 3G networks are available nationwide
and from multiple carriers, and upgrade to
a plan and phone that supports its use then. |
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| Voice
mail is a must: Make sure voice mail
is included in the cost of the service plan.
You won't always have your phone on, and you
certainly don't want to miss important calls. |
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| Go
regional: Unless you travel extensively
around the country, a regional calling plan
offers the best mix of minutes, features,
and cost. While local plans may have more
minutes included, most don't offer free long
distance. |
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| Get
at least 150 anytime minutes: You'll
quickly go through the minutes available in
a low-cost, low-minute plan and get stuck
paying up to 45 cents a minute for additional
calls. |
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| Phones |
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| Get
at least 3- to 4-hour talk-time battery life:
Don't get stuck without a charge; a battery
that lets you chat away for three or four
hours can save many headaches later. |
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| Go
dual mode: These phones, which work
on both digital and analog networks, provide
greater coverage area, even though sound quality
may suffer on analog networks. |
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| Pick
up a headset or earphone: Inexpensive
hands-free ear-bud headsets let you safely
converse while driving, working, or just walking.
Some phones even allow you to set voice commands
to dial frequently called numbers, so you
rarely need to touch the keys. |
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| Ask
about E911: By 2006, all new wireless
phones should contain a feature allowing emergency
services to track a phone to its exact location.
This so-called Enhanced 911 feature isn't
common now, but you should look for it if
you intend to use the phone for emergencies. |
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