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Taking the mystery out of the wireless world

They seem to be everywhere, those compact phones with their miniature buttons, little LCD screens and antennas. Their popularity is easy to understand, because they provide convenience, peace of mind, and many of the familiar features we have come to expect from our home telephones – all in a neat little package.

If you’re the “last person on your block” to acquire a wireless phone, it may be time to join the crowd. If so, choosing the right phone and, equally important, the right cellular service, calls for a little education.

The basics
Analog or digital? The first cellular phones were all analog, using the same technology as most radio systems. The introduction of digital technology improved things like sound quality, security, privacy, data transmission capabilities and battery life. Analog networks often extend beyond the city and suburbs and into rural areas. For the present, digital networks are only available in densely populated areas – they have some catching up to do.

So your choice will depend on where you live and where you travel. One alternative is to look for a “dual mode” phone that allows the handset to operate on both analog and digital networks.

How cellular phones work: To make or receive calls on a cell phone, you have to be within range of a transmitter that covers your home area. However, even after you leave that area, you will still be able to use your phone, because your company has arrangements with service providers in contiguous areas. You may billed for “roaming charges” once you leave your local area, including a set fee for every minute you talk and probably long-distance charges.

Package deals: Many ads that appear in your local newspaper and come in the mail offer you a phone and basic service for one price. Deals like these meet most of the everyday needs of cell phone users.

What are your needs?
Where will you use your wireless phone? Look at your day-to-day habits to see where you make most of your calls. Does business or pleasure take you out of town frequently? Once you know your personal territory, you can look for a cellular service that has the best local calling area (for toll-free calling) as well as system coverage area (which offers service farther from home, but can involve additional “roaming” charges).

Do you want special features?: The more sophisticated (and costly) phones offer the same type of services as land lines – traditional phones in your home or office. Among these are voice mail, call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, paging, e-mail, memory dialing, and voice-activated dialing.

When will you use it? What time of the day will you be making or taking calls? How long will you speak? These factors will affect the cost of your cellular service. Your monthly fee covers a certain number of minutes on the phone, and you must pay that amount whether you use them up or not. It is important that you compare the monthly rates charged by different providers for peak/off peak minutes, weekend and weekday usage and emergency calls.

You can learn more about wireless services in your area, and how to select one, by checking out Web sites maintained by the various services and manufacturers of the handsets.

October 12, 2000

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