Here is the breakdown of the cost of service between the big 4 carriers,with the basic amount of minutes:
| Verizon | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile (even more plus) | T-Mobile (even More) | ATT | ATT | |
| Minutes | 450 | 450 | 450 | 500 | 500 | 450 | 450 |
| Messaging | 0 | 5000 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | 0 | unlimited |
| Data | 150mb | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | 200mb | 2gb |
| Cost | $54.99 | $89.98 | $69.99 | $59.99 | $79.99 | $54.99 | $84.99 |
and for a family plan
| Verizon | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile (even more plus) | T-Mobile (even More) | ATT | ATT | |
| Minutes | 700 | 700 | 1500 | 750 | 750 | 550 | 550 |
| Messaging | 0 | 10000 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | 0 | unlimited |
| Data | 300mb | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | 400mb | 4gb |
| Cost | $99.99 | $159.99 | $129.99 | $109.99 | $139.99 | $89.99 | $139.99 |
One of the biggest developments in smart-phones has been the introduction and the wide adoption of the Android platform. The operating system of these phones are developed by Google and have a wide range of different shapes and sizes. Some look like and perform like iPhone, while others act more like Blackberries, and others have full size, slide out keyboards. Not only are these generally great devices, but they are extremely open, and you can use their features to knock down your monthly bill.
One such thing is to eliminate paying for text messages with Google Voice. The only real drawback with this service is that you can not port your regular number over to this service. This means that you will have to get a new phone number, but for customers who want to use either ATT or Verizon’s cell phone service, you’re looking at saving $20 (individual) to $30 (family) per month for unlimited SMS service.
Another nice thing about Android, is that there are a variety of ways to not chew through your minutes. There is free Skype to Skype calling. Another alternative is very cheap calling out to landlines,cellphones, even internationally for 1¢ per minute while on WiFi with the service Fring. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, you can root your phone and use Skype anywhere or through Gizmo5.
Here is a cost breakdown if you employ the aforementioned services:
| Verizon | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile (even more plus) | T-Mobile (even More) | ATT | ATT | |
| 2 year contract | $1,319.76 | $2,159.52 | $1,679.76 | $1,439.76 | $1,919.76 | $1,319.76 | $2,039.76 |
| MA Cell Tax 11.11% | $146.63 | $239.92 | $186.62 | $159.96 | $213.29 | $146.63 | $226.62 |
| MA Total 24 month | $1,466.39 | $2,399.44 | $1,866.38 | $1,599.72 | $2,133.05 | $1,466.39 | $2,266.38 |
and for a family plan
| Verizon | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile (even more plus) | T-Mobile (even More) | ATT | ATT | |
| 2 year contract | $2,399.76 | $3,839.76 | $3,119.76 | $2,639.76 | $3,359.76 | $2,159.76 | $3,359.76 |
| MA Cell Tax 11.11% | $266.61 | $426.60 | $346.61 | $293.28 | $373.27 | $239.95 | $373.27 |
| MA Total 24 month | $2,666.37 | $4,266.36 | $3,466.37 | $2,933.04 | $3,733.03 | $2,399.71 | $3,733.03 |
Now if you notice, this is starting to get pretty expensive! Averaging $3,500 for a family and almost $2000 for an individual.
Now here are the tricks to bring these costs down. The first is to sign up for cell phone service in Nevada! A New York resident could save up to $600 dollars over 24 years, while a Massachusetts resident is looking at more of a $200 savings-- just be sure to use paperless billing! Now this loophole is not all that honest, and probably not all that legal, either. So we'll forget about that one.
A better option could be to go prepaid. There are multiple advantages with going prepaid, and it could save you lots of money!
First, the tax is paid for by the carrier and not YOU! Well, you will have to pay the states sales tax for the top-up card, but it looks like bestbuy.com isn’t charging either shipping nor sales tax on this item. Also, there are always states with no sales tax, and sales tax holidays when you could stock up on these cards. Second, there is no cancellation or early termination fees, which depending on the carrier, can range from $200-$375-- these are charged to recoup the cost of subsidized hardware.
Finally, the monthly rates are much, much cheaper. Meaning that even if you are paying sales tax on these top-up cards, you are going to be paying that tax on $600 for 2 years of individual service and not on $1466-$2400. That is right, for 2 years of service $600 dollars! Virgin Mobile, recently introduced the Samsung Intercept, and you can pair it with a $25 monthly plan, that gives you unlimited data, text, and 300 minutes. While the minute amount is low, no free nights and weekends, and no mobile to mobile found in the major carriers's minute plans, with the tips and tricks mentioned above there are a few ways to easily supplement smaller amount of minutes.
Now you’re thinking, “well what’s the catch with prepaid?” Traditionally you were not able to keep your phone number, they are were regional (you couldn’t use them outside of major metropolitan areas), or that the phones were not good. Well all of that has pretty much changed recently. You are now allowed to transfer your number over to Virgin Mobile, which is part of Sprint network, and it uses the exact same network that the Sprint plan for $69.99 uses. And for the phone? It is pretty great, not perfect by any means but if you are moving from an iPhone 3G or any feature phone, it is a really nice step-up. It is a Honda or Volkswagen, and not a BMW or Mercedes. And we are talking about saving money after-all and not the advantage of 3-6mbps versus 600Kbps downstream over CDMA RevA! The only real drawback is the upfront cost, which is a bit more than other entry-level Android phones:
| Verizon | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile (even more plus) | T-Mobile (even More) | ATT | ATT | Virgin Mobile | |
| Model | LG Ally | LG Ally | Samsung Intercept | Motorola Charm | Motorla Charm | Motorola Backflip | Motorola Backflip | Samsung Intercept |
| Hardware Cost | $49.99 | $49.99 | $199.99 | $269.99 | $49.99 | $49.99 | $49.99 | $249.99 |
| MA Sales Tax 6.25% | $3.12 | $3.12 | $12.50 | $16.87 | $3.12 | $3.12 | $3.12 | $15.62 |
| total | $53.11 | $53.11 | $212.49 | $286.86 | $53.11 | $53.11 | $53.11 | $265.61 |
The Tiny Wallet Style takeaway is that it's worth it to invest a bit more upfront cost in exchange for big savings. For an individual plan you are looking at saving a little bit more than $1000, and for 2 lines you are looking slightly above $1700. So this leads to the question, would you rather have the latest, and greatest cell phone? Or a capable and still awesome phone, PLUS an extra grand snugly secure in your own Tiny Wallet?
All the math http://bit.ly/cuOx4Y
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