Although a cell phone contract has a number
of benefits, it is always a good idea to know everything that has been included
in the contract when you buy a new mobile phone, or even when you switch your
service provider.
To begin with, your cell phone contract
binds you, or the applicant, to pay monthly bills for a specified time period.
Bills are generated on a monthly basis, and a contract is ideally in place for
about 18 to 24 months. The advantages of getting in a contract with your
service provider are many. You not only benefit from the affordable tariff
plans, but also get a new handset.
However, before you decide to sign a
contract, determine the package which suits you best. Most users go for an
unlimited voice call and text packages, while some even opt for unlimited data
packages. Going through the contract before signing it is imperative, although
many subscribers tend to bypass reading the fine print in the excitement of
getting a new phone. To give a brief idea of all that is included in a typical
cell phone contract, we highlight some very important sections that your
contract covers. Nevertheless, you must also know that the terms of the
contract vary for different providers, and are also affected by laws of the
state.
Phone Purchase
While almost all service providers offer
handsets when you subscribe with them, you also have the option of using your
existing handset and switching from your present provider. However, this may not
always be possible. For example, a particular service provider emphasizes on
using handsets provided by them, because there are only a few other phones
which are compatible with their telecom network. Thus if you decide on using
your own handset, ensure that you check the compatibility of your phone before
switching to a new provider.
Advance Deposit
Almost all network carriers demand an
advanced deposit from their subscribers before the service is activated.
However, the policies vary greatly. While some providers will allow you to pay
off your monthly bills using this deposit, there are some who do not offer this
option. Additionally, there are some providers who offer simple interest on
this amount.
Heavy Usage
Contracts ideally include a condition which
enables your service provider to take action against consumers having very high
usage. This is done to avoid network issues. Your provider may either change
your base plan, or even suspend your account in case network abuse is detected.
Service agreement violation
Cell phone providers reserve the right to
cancel the services of a particular subscriber if he or she is deemed to
violate their terms and condition. This is always mentioned in the contract,
and demands special attention.
Contract Termination
In case a subscriber wishes to switch over
to another provider, he may do so after the payment of termination fees. Again,
these vary from network to network, and you must go through your contract to
know about the termination fees charged by your network provider.
Reading through the fine print can be a
tough task, but is very important. Not only does thies give you an idea of what
you are getting yourself into, but it also reduces the possibilities of
unpleasant surprises in due course.
About
Author
Robert is a technology blogger who loves to write on latest in technology. He recently reviewed few cell phone services company offering free service plans in US and found this website to be very usefull.
Robert is a technology blogger who loves to write on latest in technology. He recently reviewed few cell phone services company offering free service plans in US and found this website to be very usefull.
Posted by our Guest Blogger -Prateek Thakar