For the most part, potential users of a pre-paid service such as Tracfone will not be making a "Nokia versus Tracfone" choice, although in limited circumstances one may need to make such a decision. Nokia is a manufacturer of cellular telephone models, whereas Tracfone is actually a service provider of cell phone minutes and pre-paid airtime. Nokia in fact manufactures and sells models of cell phone that can be used with the Tracfone service, and other models that can be used with other pre-paid service providers. Purchasers considering a Nokia cell phone would generally make the decision based on other factors than considering the Nokia phone as an alternative to Tracfone.
Pre-Paid Cellular Telephone Models
There are a wide range of cellular phone models available for use with pre-paid programs. While other brands also make cell phone models compatible with pre-paid service providers, two manufacturers produce and market the majority of cell phones that the purchaser can use with a pre-paid service. These two brands are Motorola and Nokia. Each of these brands makes a range of models compatible with various service providers. A purchaser would, however, choose Tracfone based on factors like service quality and coverage range, and would then choose a telephone model that supports the Tracfone airtime service.
Nokia
With a Nokia model cell phone, therefore, it is not so much a matter of determining "Nokia versus Tracfone," since Nokia makes models of pre-paid cellular phone compatible with the Tracfone service. (Nokia makes models compatible with AT&T and Cingular service providers, as well as Tracfone and Net10 service providers.)
Factors in Choosing a Nokia Cell Phone
Essentially, with a Nokia cell phone, a potential customer would make the determination about a Nokia phone in one of four ways. In the first instance, the buyer would choose a Nokia telephone model that suits the individual's needs. In the second instance, the buyer would choose by way of budget considerations and determine what price range she wants to remain within. Nokia makes models in a range of purchase prices, as do other manufacturers.
In the third instance the buyer would choose a pre-paid service provider he wants to use, and would then need to match the cellular telephone model to the preferred service. While many models are compatible with more then one service provider, none of the models are universally compatible with all service providers. The final factor is availability: in some areas of the U.S., the Motorola Tracfone-compatible models seem more prevalent than Nokia Tracfone-compatible cell phone models. This fourth factor would seem the only instance in which a consumer would be in a "Nokia versus Tracfone" decision-making situation. If the purchaser has a strong preference for a particular Nokia model that is not Tracfone-compatible, she will need to choose a different service provider than Tracfone. Conversely, if the purchaser has a strong preference for the Tracfone service provider, he will need to purchase a Motorola cellular phone model if Nokia model availability is non-existent in his area.
Tracfone
Tracfone is a service provider of pre-paid airtime and minutes, it is not a cell phone model. Both Nokia and Motorola make models of cell phone compatible with the Tracfone service. For example, the Motorola v170 and Motorola c155 are both compatible with the Tracfone service. The c155 is also compatible with Net10 service. However, the Nokia 1100 and Nokia 2600 also are compatible with both Tracfone and Net10 service providers. This factor may influence some purchasers toward Nokia, since they have the flexibility to switch from Tracfone pre-paid minutes and airtime purchase to Net10 should they want to do so for any reason.
Tracfone Service Characteristics
Key advantages to choosing the Tracfone service provider include the generally widespread user satisfaction with the service quality, the convenience of the pre-paid cell phone service versus an ongoing contract, the widespread availability of Tracfone products, including both compatible phone models and pre-paid cards, and the fact that Tracfone has the largest digital coverage area in the U.S.
Tags: compatible with, cell phone, service provider, service providers, pre-paid service, Tracfone service