Wireless Phone Buying Guide:  Know Your Priorities—How Are You Going to Use the Wireless Phone?

Understand Your Wants, Needs and Goals

When choosing wireless phones and service, it’s important to know your needs and wants, and know ahead of time what you can afford. The choices for equipment and plans are almost dizzying, and it’s hard to keep the choices straight. But if you prioritize your needs list, it should be easy to find the right phone, service, and get signed up quickly.

Is Your Wireless Phone for Personal Use, Business Use or a Combination of Both?

First of all, do you want your phone for business, personal use, or both? If you want it for business, make sure you get a phone that is versatile and a plan that is both affordable but gives you excellent service, low dropped call rates, and a good roaming plan if you travel (if you travel out of the country,  these charges can be extreme—know what you need first). If you want a personal phone, you might simply want a camera or text message phone and simple service.

Is Your Wireless Phone Going to be Your Main Incoming Line?

If you are going to use your phone for your main incoming line, whether it’s for business or home, remember that some flip phones can be fragile even though the flip cover protects the screen from scratching. You may want a heftier handset that you can simply cover with an attractive leather case and plastic display window for screen protection.

Do You Need a Hands Free Attachment for Your Wireless Phone?

If you will need to use your phone in situations where you will also need both your hands, such as driving or operating equipment, consider a hands-free attachment or Bluetooth technology for your car or work area. Drivers on the telephone are responsible for almost as many accidents as drunk drivers, and they are as severe—don’t be a statistic just over a few dollars worth of ear phones or speakers.

Do You Want a Palm Computer in Your Wireless Phone?

Next to consider is whether you want a palm computer in your phone. Some are built with QWERTY keyboards built sideways into the keypad so you can text message, but others have the same keypad and PDA technology built into the phone. These phones are larger, but can contain large amounts of information. For instance, a pharmacist could carry two entire reference manuals and still have space for more information! PDA phones often offer you satellite access to the internet as well, which can be crucial for some business travelers or families on the road who might need help or directions.

Remember Your Budget When Looking for a Wireless Phone

Of course you want to consider your budget in all this, but if you write down what you want from the above descriptions—in order—and take those to your local wireless phone supplier, there is sure to be something that’s at least a close fit. \