About Cell Phone
Providers
Today every has a cell phone. Even young children have a kid's version of a cellular phone marketed to them. When you're choosing a phone, however, it's not as simple as picking out the one you like. You must also choose the company, or cell phone provider, that you wish to use with your phone. It can seem tricky first, but it's not hard to understand after you understand the basics of what a cell phone provider does and how this affects you.
History
The world's first cell phone was invented by a man named Martin Cooper on April 3, 1973. He founded this phone from the company he worked for, Motorola. Motorola become the world's first cell phone provider and is still going strong today. There were other companies competing to invent the cell phone at the time. A second provider, AT&T, was also trying to make a handheld portable phone, but couldn't beat Motorola to the punch.
Function
A cell phone provider is a company (or one division of a company) in charge of setting up cell phones for customers and keeping track of their accounts and payments. The provider has a number of different phones available, each with its own special features. Providers build towers in towns so that their customers can get a signal whereever they are. The provider is responsible for giving you a phone and providing you with the technology to use it. Without the provider, we wouldn't have cell phones at all.
Types
The first major difference between providers is the type of phones they offer. While many phones look the same, each one is specifically designed for that company. Features are added to newer phones to compete with the other providers in the area. There is also a difference in signal coverage. Some companies have towers in all different locations, while smaller providers only cover a certain area.
Significance
Choosing the right provider is important because it will save you money and get you better service. A provider that doesn't have towers in the area you use most often won't be much help to you. You'll simply be paying for a phone you rarely use. The cost of different phone plans is important as well. If there were no competing providers, then one company could set their costs as high as they wanted. Because of the selection, however, you can choose the cheapest phone that carries the features you need, and because they are always trying to outdo each other the rates will continue to drop while quality of service increases.
Considerations
When choosing a cell phone provider, shop around in your area. Ask what plans they offer, how much the phones you like cost, and what features you can get. Basic packages differ between companies. One company may offer free minutes that won't help you, while a different one may give you the choice of free incoming calls. Take into consideration your lifestyle and where you live, and find out which provider will give you the best coverage for less. Don't be afraid to haggle with them if that's what it takes to get what you deserve.
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