Common Cell Phone Fees

Peak Minutes

Peak airtime means that you are conducting a call during the day time. Cellular Service is set up to mimic old fashioned long distance company rate plans when we had the Big 3 long distance companies. You pay higher rates during the day and lower rates on the evenings and weekends. On peak means that you are calling during daytime hours. The average hours that will be considered peak time is 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Monday through Friday. Cellular phone time is billed in full minute increments rounding up to the next full minute.

Airtime billing

Whenever you are using a wireless network, you will be billed for the airtime used. This includes incoming calls and toll free calls. Calling a toll free number only eliminates the long distance fee that would be charged to you.

Off Peak Minutes

Refers to the evening and night hours and all day on weekends and defined holidays as set forth by the carrier.

Roaming Charges

When you purchase a package with a block of minutes, the roaming charges will still be accessed anytime you leave the designated calling area. The block of minutes you have in your package does not include roaming outside your service calling area. In general roaming fees can range from $1.95 per minute to as high as $2.95 per minute depending on your carrier. These are also billed in full minute increments. So if you only talk for 30 seconds, the billing is rounded up the next full minute.

Long Distance Fees

This fee is charged anytime you make a long distance call, including when you are roaming. This fee may be in addition to your roaming fee. You will need to check with your carrier to determine the exact billing methods they use to charge roaming and long distance fees.

Network Access Fees

In some cases, when you are roaming into another carrier's network coverage area, you will be charged an access fee. These can be charged for each instance of access to a one time per day access fee. These fees can be anywhere from $3.95 to $9.95 for access to the network in which you are roaming.

Taxes

And you must not forget those wonderful taxes on your cellular phone bill. When you are quoted a rate plan, you will need to add another $10 to $20 for taxes. So if the plan is $19.95 per month, you will probably pay $30 a month when taxes are added in to the final billing. Be sure to ask the sales person about the taxes that will be assessed for your area. Federal, state, and city taxes will vary. For more information on taxes, click here.

WATCH OUT FOR CANCELLATION FEES

Some service contracts will bind you to long-term periods with hefty early cancellation fees. Keep an eye out for the best fee structure, particularly if you want to shop around again in a short period of time for a new phone or service.