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CostHelper.com > Consumer Electronics  > Cell Phone Plan

Cell Phone Plan Cost

How Much Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost?

low cost Basic: $30-$50 a month
low cost Advanced: $40-$80 a month
low cost Unlimited: $50-$200 a month

Related Topics:

Cell Phone

Smartphone

Text Messaging

Internet Phone Service

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The first step in selecting a cell phone plan is to decide on a carrier, ideally the one that offers the best coverage in the area the phone will most often be used. Ask neighbors or coworkers about the signal strength they obtain or check Mobiledia for information on cell reception strength for different zip codes across the US. For those interested in smartphones and accompanying data plans, see How Much Does a Smartphone Cost.
 
Typical costs:
  • Basic individual cell phone plans cost from about $30 to $50 per month. Expect 200 to 500 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and weekend calling, free roaming and nationwide long distance. The Sprint Basic plan offers 200 anytime minutes and unlimited calling after 9pm as well as at weekends, for a monthly fee of $30. Go beyond the 200 anytime minutes and each additional minute will cost 45 cents. Similarly, AT&T and Verizon both offer basic plans that provide 450 anytime minutes for $40 plus 45 cents for each additional minute, while T-Mobile charges $30 per month for 500 anytime minutes and 45 cents for each additional minute.
  • Advanced individual plans cost from about $40 to $80 and offer 750 to 1500 anytime minutes. An example of this type of plan is the T-Mobile Even More Plus 1000 which offers 1000 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and weekends and unlimited calls to other T-Mobile customers for a monthly fee of $40. Additional minutes cost 45 cents each and text messaging can be added at a bundled rate of $5 for 300 messages to $15 for unlimited texts. Verizon charges $80 for 900 anytime minutes, unlimited calls to 5 select numbers and unlimited texting. AT&T offers 900 anytime minutes for $60.
  • Unlimited individual plans offer unlimited anytime calling, ideal for business users or those looking to replace their landline phones. These plans from major carriers usually cost from about $50 to $200. The AT&T Unlimited plan offers unlimited calls for a monthly fee of $100 with a 2 year contract and a $36 activation fee. T-Mobile offers an unlimited talk package for $50 per month or $80 with unlimited texting and mobile web usage. Verizon charges $110 per month for unlimited calls, texts and mobile web usage and Sprint charges $140 per month for unlimited calls, texts and mobile web usage.
  • Family plans divide the monthly allocation of minutes between two or more lines and usually offer better value than purchasing separate individual cell phone plans. These plans cost from about $60 to $600 or more, depending on the number of lines and the number of anytime minutes. For example, the Verizon Talk & Text Family SharePlan for three lines with 1400 anytime minutes and unlimited calls to 10 friends and family numbers, costs about $130 per month. A similar plan from AT&T costs $100 while three lines with 1500 anytime minutes from T-Mobile costs $65 and three lines with 1500 minutes anytime calling from Sprint costs $150 including unlimited text and data usage.
  • Prepaid plans are ideal for those who require a cell phone for only infrequent use or want to tightly manage their monthly expenditure. A prepaid plan doesn't require a long-term contract; airtime minutes are simply purchased in advance and topped up as needed. As there is no contract, however, users are required to pay the full price of the cell phone. Minutes cost from about 10 to 33 cents and some plans charge a daily access fee ranging from $1 to $4 for each day the phone is used. GoPhone Mobile to Mobile Plan from AT&T, for example, costs 10 cents per minute plus a $1 fee for each day the phone is used. The basic prepaid plan from Verizon costs 25 cents per minute and 20 cents per text message sent or received. T-Mobile charges 10 cents per minute plus $1 each day the phone is used. MetroPCS offers plans with unlimited local and nationwide calls starting at $40 a month. MetroPCS is not available in all areas, though, and tends to offer fewer features than other carriers.
What should be included:
  • Most plans include voicemail, call forwarding and caller ID.
Additional costs:
  • Additional minutes usually cost extra.
  • On some plans, roaming outside of the local region can cost extra.
  • Breaking a cell phone contract early will entail a sizeable penalty.
  • Depending on the plan, text, IM (Instant Messaging), picture and video messaging can also cost extra. See: How Much Does Text Messaging Cost.
  • There are substantial taxes (usually $10 -$15) and fees on top of the monthly charge.
Discounts:
  • When a cell phone contract term is up, users can renegotiate with the carrier and may get better terms or a new phone.
  • Shop around. Different retailers will offer different incentive plans for signing up for a contract, which can include free activation, free or discounted phones, or other promotions.
Shopping for a cell phone plan:
  • Check out the top-rated carriers for specific regions and metropolitan areas within the US at sites such as Wireless Guide.
  • Compare cell phone plans from different providers at sites such as LetsTalk or Amazon.
  • CNet offers a buying guide to cell phone plans and providers. Wireless Guide offers information on pre-paid cell phone plans.
  • Check out the websites for the major carriers such as T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and AT&T for current plans and promotions.
  • Frequent travelers who want the ability to make and receive calls while traveling overseas should look for a carrier that uses the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) network, such as AT&T or T-Mobile as well as a compatible multi-band phone. See Consumer Reports for tips on getting cell phone access overseas.
Article updated February 2010
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Renewed 2 year contract w/Verizon in San Francisco
Amount: $42.84
Posted by: PCGuyinCali in San Francisco, CA.Posted: December 15th, 2006 02:12PM
Carrier: VerizonMonthly Minutes: 450+unlimited night+weekend
I just re-signed with Verizon Wireless. My old plan had expired and my old phone had died, and by signing a new 2 year contract I got a good deal ($100 after rebate) on the new Motorola KRAZR phone, which I've been very happy with. I'm now on the American's Choice II plan for 39.99 a month with 450 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. So far, so good, and the KRAZR is way, way better than my old LG phone, which got terrible reception.
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Beware international Cingular/AT&T rates
Amount: $3,500.00
Posted by: pswms in Boulder, CO.Posted: August 29th, 2007 08:08PM
Carrier: Cingular/AT&TMonthly Minutes: 1000 voice/1000 text
With an international calling plan, and all the non-roaming features we could buy from Cingular (now AT&T), we had bills of $1600/$1500/$3500/$2500 this spring and summer when two of our phones were traveling in Mexico ($2.00/minute) Honduras ($2.50/minute), Barbados ($2.00/minute), Greece ($2.00/min), etc., etc. These are the voice rates. Text rates must be even higher.
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cell phone
Amount: $74.71
Posted by: Dominique C. in Grand Rapids, MI.Posted: June 9th, 2008 07:06AM
Carrier: t-mobileMonthly Minutes: 600
I am on the my favs plan: talk to any 5-people for free and have 600 any time mintues and a 400 message bundle(4.99) and internet (5.99) for a total 74.41
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J D Powers Comparison Survey
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Jesse Kloss in Various, Other.Posted: May 6th, 2009 03:05PM
Carrier: Compares 9 CarriersMonthly Minutes: Varies
JD Powers Prepaid Wireless Customer Satisfaction Survey

http://www.jdpower.com/telecom/ratings/prepaid-wireless-ratings/sortcolumn-0/ascending/page-1#page-anchor
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Tracfone
Amount: $11.00
Posted by: J. Hancock in Miami, FL.Posted: August 16th, 2009 10:08AM
Carrier: Monthly Minutes: 80
Do not be decieved into using this company. They held up my ported in phone number for 3 weeks-I was stuck with a unusable cell phone for the three weeks. I spent 23 calls of an average of 1 hour and 20 minuites on the phone trying to get the situation straightened out and finding my number I had had for over 8 years. I was trasfered from person to person-hung up on, lied to. I've never been treated this way by a company that wants your business.
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StraightTalk
Amount: $30.00
Posted by: loaferman in Phoenix, AZ.Posted: March 1st, 2010 04:03AM
Carrier: StraightTalkMonthly Minutes: 1000
Plan: All you needOther Features: 1000 text
I couldn't be happier with Straight Talk. I've cut my bill by over half and I even have a better plan as well. I think they have an unlimited plan for 15 bucks more, but I'm ok with 1000 min and texts. The best thing is that my service is run through Verizon towers so it is very reliable.
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had to upgrade plans for smartphone
Amount: $75.00
Posted by: firsttimesmartphoneowner in santa clara, CA.Posted: August 28th, 2010 06:08PM
Carrier: verizonMonthly Minutes: 400+
Plan: Other Features: unlimited data
I used to have a $40 r400 min plan, but when i got my smartphone (an htc incredible) they said i needed a $45 month plan plus the $30 month for unlimited surfing, email, etc., so $75 a month plus taxes. It's really awesome and a great tool, but I must admit the Internet connection has been getting slower, especially for watching videos. I guess these smartphones are getting so popular, the traffic is getting a little worse even on Verizon.
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virgin mobile prepay
Amount: $25.00
Posted by: George B. in Phoenix, AZ.Posted: March 18th, 2011 10:03AM
Carrier: virgin mobileMonthly Minutes: 300 + unlimited data
Plan: beyond talkOther Features:
I got an LG Optimus V android smart phone on sale for $129 at Best Buy. I understand Target has them for $129 too, and they give you a $20 gift card.

Phone is great. No contract. $25 a month for 300 talk minutes plus unlimited data. Great deal!
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Virgin is the BEST!
Amount: $25.00
Posted by: shellb in Kensington, CT.Posted: October 26th, 2011 09:10AM
Carrier: Virgin MobileMonthly Minutes: 300
Plan: 300 miutesOther Features: unlt\'d web and text
Best ever! I get enough minutes and unlimited text and data for $25/month with no contract! I guess that plan is now $35, but I was grandfathered in so I still pay $25. Only drawback is pretty expensive phones, but between the monthly savings and not being locked into a contract it\'s easily worth it!!!
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