Advantages of Prepaid Cell Phones
Cell phone plans without the usual cellular phone contracts and credit checks can set you free.

Standard cell phone plans aren't for everyone. Most cellular providers want a commitment. One year is a minimum and longer is better. The other thing that wireless companies want is an excellent credit rating. If you have credit problems, are too young to have established credit or simply don't want to get tied down to a long term cell phone plan, then prepaid cell phones are an excellent option for you. They're also great if you want to give someone, like a student, their own cell phone but want to control the spending.

What are Prepaid Cell Phones?
A prepaid cell phone is one where you don't get a bill for your usage at the end of the month. Instead you pre-pay for your next month's minutes by credit card, check card, or even cash. If you want more minutes, you'll have to buy them in advance or you won't be able to use your cell phone until you do. Some plans automatically charge to your credit card to add minutes when you run low. Others let you buy up to a year's worth of coverage in advance. That way you can keep a cell phone in your car for emergencies and know that it will be there when you need it. Just be sure to keep the battery charged!

Bad Credit, No Credit. No Problem!
Not everyone who wants a cell phone can get a traditional cellular service plan. Some people go to all the trouble of shopping for the best plan and picking out their phone only to be denied service because of a credit problem. Just because you've been turned down by one of the big name cellular providers in the mall doesn't mean you can't get wireless phone service. Prepaid cell phones are available without the traditional credit check hurdle.

New or Temporarily in the USA
If you have recently moved to the United States or are here temporarily visiting or working, you should consider a prepaid cell phone. People who haven't established credit in the USA may well be turned down for a traditional cell phone contract. If you are going to be here for less than a year, those contracts don't make sense anyway. A prepaid cell phone is easier to get and you can pay month by month and end your service before you leave the country.

Good Option For Students
Another type of potential cell phone customer who is generally turned down is the student. You may have a job, a car and good grades, but if you don't have an acceptable credit rating you won't get a cellular contract. High school and younger students can forget it. Some parents simply sign the contract and monitor the bills when they pay them. Others want a way to limit the usage when they aren't looking. A regular cellular service contract won't do that.

Prepaid cell phones are a solution to both the credit requirements and the control of minutes. For younger students, mom or dad can buy the initial phone service, perhaps as a gift. Parents can then elect to pay for the monthly minutes usage or let their kids pay cash to buy their minutes at thousands of convenient locations, with some plans.

How Do You Get a Phone?
That's easy. You need one of the particular phones that works with the provider you select. An old cast-off phone from an expired cellular contract won't work. Fortunately, you can find prepaid cell phones that are low cost or even free after rebate. These include some of the latest "flip" models, if that's what you prefer. Order your phone at the same time that you purchase initial service.

What Else Should You Look For
The packages that include phone and first month's service also include such goodies as caller ID, call waiting, text messaging, voice mail and even 3-way calling. Calls are usually your choice of local or long distance at the same rate. Roaming charges can be the same or higher than calls made in your area, so check for this if you plan to use your phone while traveling. Also make sure you get the accessories that you need, such as a car charger.

Evaluating The Plans
Like traditional cellular services, prepaid cell phone plans vary in their terms, cost of minutes, features, and payment methods. Make a list of what is most important to you in order of preference and then pick the plan that satisfies your most important needs at the best price.

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TracFone Prepaid Cell Phone Service
TracFone offers prepaid cellular service through the purchase of "minutes" cards. You can find packages with free phones by shopping online, and buy your replacement card on the Internet or in thousands of stores. Want more minutes? Buy them when you need them. TracFone offers a one year service card so you won't have to worry about minutes expiring on phones you keep for security purposes.

Net10 Wireless
Net10 is nationwide prepaid wireless service at a flat rate of 10 cents a minute or 5 cents per text message. A 300 minute card gives you 60 days of service for $30. Other cards give you up to a year of service. As long as you keep your service active, your unused minutes rollover to the next

Traditional Wireless Plans
If you'd prefer a cellular phone service that does have a contract and bills monthly, you can now shop the major providers and order your service conveniently online.