Approximately 97% of Americans own a mobile phone. Texting and calling almost take a backseat to the many other things you can do with your device. From streaming your favorite movie to listening to top artists, how did you ever live without one before?
All of these things come at a cost though—data. Without a decent service plan, you will either be frustrated or pay too much. But how do you know what to look for with so many phone plan options out there?
Our short but sweet guide has what you need. Continue reading to get the 411.
Prioritize Network Coverage
A service plan with poor coverage won’t do you any good. That’s why we recommend finding one with strong coverage in your hometown.
Take a look at coverage maps to see if cell towers are deployed throughout your neighborhood. This will give you a decent idea of what’s going on but won’t give you the whole picture. Check out independent tests on the phone service plan.
See what Boost Mobile plan your neighbors, friends, and family have first.
Measure Your Data Consumption
Are you aware of how much data you use? Most of us aren’t sure how many bytes we use when streaming a song, or video, uploading a photo to social media, or sending a text.
To get a clearer picture, open up the settings to see your monthly data consumption to see your average.
If you’re in the market for a new mobile phone, you’ll most likely want more data. You are likely to use more data with a speedier device.
Be Wary of the Fine Print
All phone plan options will come with their set of perks (e.g. international roaming, unlimited data, etc.). There are always caveats to these perks though.
For example, a service plan may offer free international roaming in more than 200 countries. Once you’re in one of those countries though, you may experience slower wireless speeds and you’ll have to pay extra if you want to speed things up. To circumvent this, we recommend picking up a foreign SIM card.
Don’t be fooled by unlimited data either. There will almost always be a cap. Once you break past the threshold, you may experience slower data speeds yet again.
Find the Right Service Plan For Your Needs
Do you feel more informed now deciding on a service plan? Take your time and find something that fits your needs. Do you use your mobile phone mostly to text, call, stream shows, movies, and songs?
Do you need something for personal use or a family plan? The good news is that you’re always free to upgrade if something isn’t working quite right.
As our devices become faster and more efficient, it can be tough to keep up with technology. Our blog has everything you’ll need to stay in the loop. Read it on your mobile phone!