Expert: DebiN - 8/5/2011

Question
Hi,
Currently I have a basic cell phone from my company. No frills. That has always been my only mobile device. I would like to get my own cell phone but also have internet access, be able to send and receive messages, pictures, look things up, texting etc. The powers that be at work are starting to have IT check when we go on the Internet for personal reasons which is another reason I want my own device.

I am checking out  Verizon first.That is where I am starting as I have Verizon for my home phone, internet and tv plus they have a discount if you work for my company.

I have no idea what questions to ask and am afraid that if I go there due to my lack of knowledge I will end up with something I don't really need. Especially since I don't know a lot of the terminology.

Can you give me some questions to ask or a website to go to that would explain things? I went on Verizon but I didn't understand half the terminology. Plus to figure out what service that you would need they ask how often do you text, download photos, etc. Since I never had that it is hard to figure how much I would use those features. I am great with my PC at work and understand MS office and other applications at work but when it comes to Blackberrys, Droid and what have you I am far, far behind.Thanks.

Answer
Thank you so much for asking, Donna. Here are some questions and things to help you with your quest:

1. If you don't need to get email on your mobile device, then you don't need a SmartPhone. If you get a SmartPhone, you will have to get a data plan (required) which will cost you extra $30.00 a month on top of what you pay for your voice minutes and texting. They do have a new plan for only $15.00 which will give you 150 MB of data a month. If you just access the internet every so often and don't use email and may be able to be on WiFi, then you don't need more than the $15.00 a month data plan IF you decide to get a SmartPhone. If you get only a cell phone, you will pay $15.00 for a data plan also (which you will need for accessing the internet and MMS (picture messages).

2. Your best bet for text messages is to get the 500 text plan that has unlimited mobile to mobile texting. Check your bill each month and if you really aren't using that much texting, then lower the text package. You should be able to get text messaging for $10.00 a month.

3. For a voice plan, your calls to other Verizon subscribers and those made on the weekends and after 9:00p local time are free, so you only need minutes for other times. 450 minutes for $39.99 is the lowest price for voice.

4. So if you want a SmartPhone because you like the style and how to access text and the internet, etc., the the lowest cost would be $39.99 for voice, $10.00 for text and $15.00 for data. It will be the same for a regular cell phone if you need the data.

I don't think you really have to ask them any questions about plans based on what I have told you above. Let me know if you have other questions about this and I'm sure I can help you so that when you go in, you can just tell them what you need instead. Does that help?