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 |  | Numeric pagers: $30-$50 |  | Alpha-numeric pagers: $60-$100 |  | Two-way pagers: $100-$150 |
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Pagers (or beepers) remain popular in medical, hospitality and some niche-business professions. However, with fewer customers, carriers have raised airtime rates. Onsite pagers work only within range of a central transmitter, therefore don't incur airtime charges, making them ideal for use within businesses such as restaurants or hospitals.
Typical costs: | - Pagers that are restricted to numeric-only messages are available new for $30-$50. For example, USA Mobility, which supplies many healthcare and government agencies, sells a numeric-only pager[1] for $39. American Messaging offers a numeric-only pager[2] model for $35.
- Models that allow alpha-numeric messages typically cost about $60-$100, depending on model and features. For example, the Unication Alpha Elite[3] costs $70 through American Messaging and allows receipt of alpha-numeric messages.
- Some alpha-numeric pagers offer full QWERTY keyboards and two-way messaging capabilities. Expect to pay about $100-$150. The Unication P900[4] is a two-way messaging device with a full keyboard that sells for $100.
- Most pager plans are billed quarterly or annually in advance and provide the ability to receive and/or send messages nationwide. For example, USA Mobility[5] offers quarterly billing for pagers and generally charges $100-$150 per three-month period, depending on the plan and whether insurance is included.
- Hospitality pagers are designed to alert restaurant diners when a table is ready or to privately alert clients in hospital waiting areas, eliminating the need for overhead PA systems. Often resembling coasters or paddles, these pagers vibrate and/or light up when activated. Once purchased, there are no monthly service charges. Prices vary greatly according to the size of a business and many systems are custom designed. However, expect to pay $500-$1,200 for a starter kit that includes a charging station, transmitter panel and 5-10 guest pagers. For example, Amazon offers a Long Range Systems guest pager kit[6] with five coaster-pagers a transmitter for $512. Additional packs of pagers typically cost $200-$500. A five-pack of additional coaster pagers[7] from Sears costs $275.
- Onsite server paging systems are priced similarly to guest paging systems and work well in hotels, hospitals and restaurants, enabling kitchen staff to silently page servers, for example. As with other onsite pagers they do not require airtime service plans. Packages are usually custom-designed. A starter kit that includes a charging station, transmitter panel and 5 pagers costs $500-$1,200. Amazon sells a Long Range Systems server paging system[8] with five server-pagers that costs $507.
Related articles: Cell Phone, Smartphone, Cell Phone Plan, Text Messaging
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What should be included: | - Most pagers include a holster to clip the unit to a belt, purse or backpack. A pager should offer a selection of user alerts, such as vibrate, beep or silent. Some pager systems include a charger for the unit; others need replacement batteries.
- Many pagers include built-in alarm functions along with features such as a battery power indicator and out-of-range alerts.
Additional costs: | - Service plans for offsite pagers vary from monthly, quarterly and annual commitments. Depending on whether coverage is local or nationwide, these typically cost is $5-$40 per month.
- Some pager services charge an activation fee of $10-$15.
- Pager accessories, like a holster, typically cost $1-$10. For example, Amazon sells a Unication pager clip[9] for $2.
- Pagers run on standard AA or AAA batteries, which will need to be replaced every few weeks, depending on usage. Rechargeable batteries and a charger typically cost $10-$25.
Discounts: | - Check for promotions. For example, American Messaging posts current deals[10] online.
- Online auction sites such as eBay often list used but functioning pagers for discounted prices. Some models can be purchased for $1-$10.
Shopping for a pager: | - Compare pager and service prices at nationwide providers such as American Messaging[11] and USA Mobility[12] . Major carriers such as Verizon or AT&T no longer carry pagers or pager plans.
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External Resources: | - www.usamobility.com/products/messaging/1_waynumeric.asp
- www.americanmessaging.net/products.asp
- www.americanmessaging.net/pr_uni_alpha_elite.asp
- www.americanmessaging.net/pr2a_p900.asp
- www.usamobility.com/customer_support/documentation_downloads/your_invoice.asp
- www.amazon.com/Long-Range-Systems-Guest-Paging/dp/B004QF93V2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electron...
- www.sears.com/long-range-systems-new-guest-paging-smoked-coaster/p-SPM7443096910?p...
- www.amazon.com/Long-Range-Systems-Server-Paging/dp/B004QF93VW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electro...
- www.amazon.com/Unication-Alpha-Elegant-Replacement-Holster/dp/B008YIDPLG/ref=sr_1_...
- www.americanmessaging.net/paging/currentpromo.asp
- www.americanmessaging.net/
- www.usamobility.com/
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