How Do Prepaid Cellular Plans Work?

How Do Prepaid Cellular Plans Work?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

Are you interested in purchasing cell phone service but you've heard the Horror stories about cell phone contracts and overage bills? It may be beneficial to check into prepaid cellular plans. They're great alternatives to regular cell phone plans, and they don't require a credit check or a signature! Traditional cell phone plans require that you commit to an agreement (that usually lasts for 2 years) and that you get billed for the services used each month. Prepaid cellular plans are quite the opposite; you purchase the minutes before they are used, and you only use what you purchase. For example, if you purchase 100 minutes of talk time for your account, you can use up to 100 minutes of talk time. After you've used what you've purchased (and if you haven't added any more talk time to you
by
selected by

Related questions

What carriers provide prepaid cellular phone service?

Description : What carriers provide prepaid cellular phone service?

Last Answer : Nearly all the major cell providers offer prepaid service plans. These include Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin. Compare rates online to get the best deal. Perhaps the most well known ... most other major carriers also have a prepaid service plan, even if they do not advertise it.

What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid cellular service?

Description : What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid cellular service?

Last Answer : Prepaid cellular service is paid every month through minutes and postpaid is a plan.

Benefits of prepaid cellular phones?

Description : Benefits of prepaid cellular phones?

Last Answer : Pre-paid phones allow you to control the amount of money you want to spend each month on your phone. It is also great for teens because it will not allow for any surprise minutes charges, as the service stops when the minutes run out.

Do any phone carriers offer prepaid micro-SIM cards for unlocked iphone 4 / 4s? Or am I stuck with $50+/month data plans?

Description : Do any phone carriers offer prepaid micro-SIM cards for unlocked iphone 4 / 4s? Or am I stuck with $50+/month data plans?

Last Answer : This looks scary but it might be worth a try.

Does Verizon Wireless offer prepaid cell phone plans?

Description : Does Verizon Wireless offer prepaid cell phone plans?

Last Answer : Verizon wireless does offer a variety of prepaid cell phone plans to help fit your lifestyle needs. The following is their website going over the different options they have. http://www.verizonwireless.com/plans/global/prepaid.shtml

What are the best prepaid cellphone plans for kids?

Description : What are the best prepaid cellphone plans for kids?

Last Answer : After evaluating them all for myself I feel like boost mobile has the most flexible plan, and can easily be modified for kids.

Are prepaid wireless cell phone plans superior to contract plans?

Description : Are prepaid wireless cell phone plans superior to contract plans?

Last Answer : Prepaid wireless plans can be better depending on what company and services are available and contract plans usually charge you when you want to give the service up.

Who offers the cheapest prepaid cell plans?

Description : Who offers the cheapest prepaid cell plans?

Last Answer : Tracphone offers the cheapest prepaid cell phones as well as the best deals for purchasing minutes. Tracphone is also the leader in prepaid cellular phones.

Are prepaid phone plans worth it?

Description : Are prepaid phone plans worth it?

Last Answer : Prepaid phone plans can be beneficial if someone is just needing a phone for emergencies or limited use. Prepaid phones are also a good teaching method for teens about responsibility, because they have to learn to manage the time they have on their phone.

Do prepaid cell phone plans cost more than a cell phone plan with a contract?

Description : Do prepaid cell phone plans cost more than a cell phone plan with a contract?

Last Answer : There are several prepaid cell phone plans that are less than plans with contracts.

What are the 10 cheapest prepaid cell phone plans?

Description : What are the 10 cheapest prepaid cell phone plans?

Last Answer : Try Tracfone, GoPhone, T Mobile Prepaid, T Mobile Prepaid Annual, Alltel Wireless, Virgin Mobile, Net 10, Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and Verizon Wireless. These all offer cheap prepaid cell phone deals.

I have an unlockedsmart/pda cell phone, now can any of these companies activate for it on their set up plans, either prepaid or postpaid?

Description : I have an unlockedsmart/pda cell phone, now can any of these companies activate for it on their set up plans, either prepaid or postpaid?

Last Answer : It depends on what type of phone it is, GSM, or CDMA. You can tell the difference between the two, fairly easily: GSM phones take a SIM card, while CDMA do not : If it's a GSM phone, AT&T would be a provider, as would T-Mobile. If it's CDMA, Verizon would be your best bet!

What are the benefits of prepaid cell plans?

Description : What are the benefits of prepaid cell plans?

Last Answer : One big benefit of a prepaid cell phone plan would be that you would not have a two year contract so in case you need to get out of you phone plan you will be able to without having to ... contract. Most times a prepaid cell phone's monthly payments will be lower than a contracted cell phone plan.

What are the cheapest cell phone prepaid plans?

Description : What are the cheapest cell phone prepaid plans?

Last Answer : Boost mobile is the cheapest cell phone prepaid plan. Not only does it include cell phone service, it has wifi and mobile internet access and texting.

does at&t offer prepaid phone plans?

Description : does at&t offer prepaid phone plans?

Last Answer : Yes AT&T does offer prepaid phone plans. But most of the phones now require a data service plan that is separate from the plan. The data service is used to search the web and many of the phones require internet use for their operation.

Which is better, pay as you go plan or prepaid plans for cell phones?

Description : Which is better, pay as you go plan or prepaid plans for cell phones?

Last Answer : Pay as you go plans may be better for you than prepaid cell phone plans because they have less fees, no cancellation penalty and you can pay for only the amount of minutes you will use ... that compares the two types of plans is http://cellphones.about.com/od/serviceplananalysis/a/payasyougo.htm.

Can I gift prepaid cell phone plans?

Description : Can I gift prepaid cell phone plans?

Last Answer : For prepaid cell phone plans you do not have to be tied up with a contract. There are many out there that offer great service and good deals on minutes. Try looking at Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and T-mobile's pre paid plan accounts.

Are prepaid cell phone plans better than a contract?

Description : Are prepaid cell phone plans better than a contract?

Last Answer : They can be. The best thing that a pre-paid phone has over a contract phone is the fact that their is NO CONTRACT! This mean you dont have to stay with that phone company for a certain amount of time.

Why Switch To Phone Prepaid Plans?

Description : Why Switch To Phone Prepaid Plans?

Last Answer : Prepaid plans for cell phones are a great way to cut the costs of your cell phone bill every month. With prepaid plans, you pay more for the phone in the beginning, and less for the plan ... a contract can happily enjoy prepaid plans as there are no credit checks needed in order to obtain one.

What are the advantages of prepaid mobile plans over a regular plan?

Description : What are the advantages of prepaid mobile plans over a regular plan?

Last Answer : Well it's pay as you go so if you dont have the money you are not required to pay anything you just will not have phone service. You still have the same benefits and amazing coverage ... You can check out both types of plans at https://account.alltel.com/myaccount/alltel/portal/AlltelPrepaid/Prepaid

Where can I find the best price on prepaid cell phone plans?

Description : Where can I find the best price on prepaid cell phone plans?

Last Answer : T-mobile has a good prepaid cell phone plan. It is the best out of all the other phone carriers. If it is available in your area, also look at Virgin Mobile's prepaid plan.

Pay As You Go Vs. Cell Phone Prepaid Plans?

Description : Pay As You Go Vs. Cell Phone Prepaid Plans?

Last Answer : There is some confusion regarding what cell phone prepaid plans actually are. Particularly, they are often confused with the related concept of pay as you go plans. In reality, these two plans are not ... overage minutes if you purchase bundles of minutes instead of pay as you go minutes, so the adv

Asking people from multiple Cellular plans; What is the Best Hotspot service?

Description : Asking people from multiple Cellular plans; What is the Best Hotspot service?

Last Answer : I don't have any good internet providers, as I am a Rural Farmer boi, and most of my friends can't really play with me cause I lag out after 20 or so mins of game time. What is the best cellular provider for Hotspot gaming?

what kind of cellular phone plans does at&t offer?

Description : what kind of cellular phone plans does at&t offer?

Last Answer : AT&T has two varietes of plans. One is the individual plan while the other is the family plan. Each one has a variety to choose from. If you want an individual plan there are three to choose from, 40 dollars being the lowest.

Comparing iPhone cellular plans?

Description : Comparing iPhone cellular plans?

Last Answer : AT&T is slightly more affordable than Verizon. However, you will be paying a lot of money for data.

Does AT&T offer cellular plans specifically for senior citizens?

Description : Does AT&T offer cellular plans specifically for senior citizens?

Last Answer : In late 2007, AT&T introduced a cell phone calling plan for senior customers who are 65 or older. The plan allows 200 anytime minutes, 500 night and weekend minutes and unlimited calling from mobile to mobile. The plan totals $29.99 for a month's service.

Where can I buy a prepaid gas card and how many different gas stations will they work at?

Description : Where can I buy a prepaid gas card and how many different gas stations will they work at?

Last Answer : Prepaid gas cards allow you to set a budget. For example if I set a budget to 100 dollars then I can use that card anywhere but for the month I can only spend a 100 on gas. You can get the prepaid gas card at www.creditcardguide.com

How do prepaid phone card work?

Description : How do prepaid phone card work?

Last Answer : Prepaid phone cards work by purchasing the amount of minutes you'd like for a set price. Whether it is a domestic card or international card also impacts the price and how to use it. You ... number and access code. You can see more information here: http://www.1stphonecard.com/new_cus/page_2.htm

How would you go about on how to get the last few dollars left on a prepaid Visa card?

Description : How would you go about on how to get the last few dollars left on a prepaid Visa card?

Last Answer : Use them offline toward a cash purchase.

Does anyone know what prepaid Visa debit card allows you to withdraw more than $300.00 dollars at one time?

Description : Does anyone know what prepaid Visa debit card allows you to withdraw more than $300.00 dollars at one time?

Last Answer : You can contact your bank to find out what the current limit is on your account and have them increase the withdrawal limit. Contact customer service (MetaBank) at 1–866-331–8745; they can help you.

Where can I get prepaid service for my Verizon phone?

Description : Where can I get prepaid service for my Verizon phone?

Last Answer : Check with Verizon Wireless at the local shop. It differs by zip code. Here’s their web page for pre-paid smartphones.

Cell phone experts -- Can I activate a prepaid phone on my rate plan?

Description : Cell phone experts -- Can I activate a prepaid phone on my rate plan?

Last Answer : I’m not good enough to answer you without some more details. I use a prepaid phone but I don’t use Bell.

What are the pros with a cell phone contract plan vs prepaid?

Description : What are the pros with a cell phone contract plan vs prepaid?

Last Answer : I know I am looking at Virgin Mobile since they are powered by sprint. I currently have Verizon and its costing me over double for the same plan I can get through there, this isn't even adding the ... upgrade to the iphone and this doesn't even add in the extra data plan costs to my exisiting plan.

What's the best way to set up my iPhone on a prepaid plan?

Description : What's the best way to set up my iPhone on a prepaid plan?

Last Answer : answer:There are two types of cellphone networks; CDMA and GSM. The older iPhones like the 3G can only connect to a GSM network, which may limit you to certain carriers. Last I checked, Verizon was pretty much ... may not be an option for you in Denver. Oh, and a lot does depend on the SIM card.

Do you have a "Net 10" prepaid mobil phone horror story?

Description : Do you have a "Net 10" prepaid mobil phone horror story?

Last Answer : answer:No, I have never tried a prepaid phone card, and yes, you did get ripped off, no feeling about it. lol I’d contact the company gurus and issue a complaint and let them know you will not be promoting their inferior products peddled by their inferior staff. It happens, live and learn.

What's the best option for a prepaid smart phone?

Description : What's the best option for a prepaid smart phone?

Last Answer : answer:I use Tracfone and pay around $8.00 per month for my service and the phone itself cost < $20. They do have models that support web access. However, I don't really need/use any of ... of service works for me, and since unused minutes roll over I very rarely have to purchase additional time.

Does anyone use the Skylight prepaid debit card?

Description : Does anyone use the Skylight prepaid debit card?

Last Answer : answer:Never heard of it, but myskylightcard.com has a location finder, and instructions for how to do so. Note that the instructions inform you that some locations may charge a small fee to ... would use this. What is the advantage over just using a debit card connected to your bank account?

Anyone using prepaid debit cards?

Description : Anyone using prepaid debit cards?

Last Answer : What new regs and fees?

Do prepaid bank cards that have direct deposit have a routing number?

Description : Do prepaid bank cards that have direct deposit have a routing number?

Last Answer : answer:Not really, just the card number. Just as a credit card doesn't necessarily have a single account tied to it. There may be a routing number somewhere for the account the card is drawn ... of cards. Edit: to be clear, a routing number typically points to the institution holding the account

Cell Phones- Prepaid or Contract?

Description : Cell Phones- Prepaid or Contract?

Last Answer : answer:It would help to build your credit by entering into the contract as long as you pay your bill on time. The big drawbacks; you are locked into a contract and if you do not pay you bill on time, ... for the web availability whether he uses it or not. (He does as his commute is 3 hours a day.)

What are some prepaid SIM cards for USA?

Description : What are some prepaid SIM cards for USA?

Last Answer : There are many. ATT, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile.

Best prepaid cell provider for a trip to Australia?

Description : Best prepaid cell provider for a trip to Australia?

Last Answer : I use Virgin Mobile, and have found them to be very good so far. They use the Optus 3G network, and are cheaper than Optus, so I get the best of both worlds. Enjoy your trip out here!

What's the best prepaid plan for someone who needs a temporary number but doesn't want to buy a new phone?

Description : What's the best prepaid plan for someone who needs a temporary number but doesn't want to buy a new phone?

Last Answer : I just found this , and it’s only $10 for the card and 50 minutes. Another 142 minutes costs $20, or 500 for $30.

Can I deposit a rebate prepaid debit card into my bank account or do I have to spend it at a store?

Description : Can I deposit a rebate prepaid debit card into my bank account or do I have to spend it at a store?

Last Answer : you could spend it on groceries… that way it wouldn’t be something you don’t need.

Can i pay my bills with a prepaid VISA card?

Description : Can i pay my bills with a prepaid VISA card?

Last Answer : I would think so. Why couldn’t you?

Prepaid VISA or MasterCard?

Description : Prepaid VISA or MasterCard?

Last Answer : My parents always give us one for Christmas. They are more like a gift card you can use anywhere. The only thing I do not like about them is that if you are making a purchase for more than is on the ... with them, but for security reasons that is a great idea. Also, you can't get cash back on them.

I just bought a new SmartChip for my prepaid AT&T go phone service,is there any way that i can transfer my balance form the old SmartChip to the new one?

Description : I just bought a new SmartChip for my prepaid AT&T go phone service,is there any way that i can transfer my balance form the old SmartChip to the new one?

Last Answer : I’d like to know the answer too.

A good prepaid cell phone?

Description : A good prepaid cell phone?

Last Answer : It depends how you are going to use it. I use mine when I travel and for emergencies only. So, a great one for me is Virgin Mobile, which has an 18 cents a minute plan. They have other plans that might work better if you use it more.

Does anyone have prepaid legal insurance and/or ID theft protection?

Description : Does anyone have prepaid legal insurance and/or ID theft protection?

Last Answer : I do not. Not now anyway. Hopefully PASS will not pass and I will never have to.

If u want to buy a phone from verizon wireless and use a prepaid phone plan would there be a 2 year contract?

Description : If u want to buy a phone from verizon wireless and use a prepaid phone plan would there be a 2 year contract?

Last Answer : If you have a pre-paid phone plan then no, because you are already in a plan. If you wanted to cancel it and get the new verizon phone, you’d have to get a new 2-year contract.