Prepaid Wireless FAQ's

Your survival guide for choosing the right prepaid provider for your needs.  Be sure to read our reviews of the leading prepaid cell phone providers for specific plan questions. 

1. Is prepaid only for the credit challenged?

Absolutely not!  In the early days of prepaid, the main adopters were indeed credit challenged consumers.  That's all changed.  The primary market includes not only those not wanting or able to do credit checks, but also parents and guardians wanting control over their dependents cell phone usage, travelers, and the huge number of consumers tired of paying high recurring fee's and contracts on a traditional plan.

• Are there any startup fees?

Typically no.  None of the providers on our reviews charge an activation fee, although on some plans you'll still need to purchase the phone (typically available from around $40).  Most plans, including those from Cingular have specials for free phones in bundled packages - just like traditional plans.

• Can I check to see my balance?  How?

This is easy.  Virtually all the providers allow for you to monitor your time left on your phone while talking or checking your menu settings on your phone.  You can also log on to the providers website and check usage or top up your pay as you go plan.

• How do I add time to my phone?

This varies slightly by service provider.  Most offer you the ability to top-up your pay as you go phone by either calling their customer service line, accessing your account online, or using your phone if you've already logged your credit card to your account.  You can also purchase minutes from cards available at most grocery stores - TracFone is a great choice for this.

• I use traditional plans to get the free phone.  How about Prepaid?

You're in luck - most of our major providers, including Cingular and TracFone include packages where you get a free phone when you purchase your first bundle of minutes for your account.  Its easy.  Cingular has a gigantic selection of phones you can upgrade or purchase directly - the largest selection of its kind.  The prepaid phones are indistinguishable from the regular models in most instances - its all handled on the provider side.

• What about nationwide coverage?

Great question.  The same concerns apply here that also apply to your old traditional cell phone.  You're almost always better off with a nationwide plan that give you full coverage.  Be wary of providers with limited or regional coverages that don't extend to nationwide coverage.