From snap-on phones, to cameras with cameras, to smartphones with music and apps, mobile phones help us communicate and connect with the world. They are especially important for teenagers and adults, as well as being indispensable in some cases for work, school or socializing.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Best Rate Plan
Step 1. Research local telephone companies
Depending on the area you live in, you will have different operators who offer many rate plans. Visit their websites or go to an authorized center and ask about the services. Alternatively, read reviews and ask how users are with their operators.
The percentage of people using a certain operator is usually a good indicator of which is best in your area
Step 2. Look for the operator with the best network coverage
A good company must provide reliable coverage and reception in the largest possible area. Usually this means that it must have the highest number of cellular antennas, in order to cover even the most remote areas. This way you can be sure you don't lose communication when you call while on the move and your reception will be good even in sparsely populated areas or underground.
- In almost all countries, a map of all cell towers is available, indicating the companies that own them; you can find it with a simple internet search. The best operator should be the one who has the most towers in your area or areas you frequent the most.
- A company might offer tariff plans at advantageous terms, but that doesn't mean the service is reliable. A plan at a bargain price is only useful if you are able to make and receive phone calls from wherever you are.
- If you travel a lot, look for an operator with great national or international coverage.
Step 3. Evaluate the speed of the data connection offered by the telephone companies
As with cellular coverage, the reliability of the internet depends on your geographic area and your operator. The data is useful if you plan to use the internet on your phone or if you have a smartphone.
- Compare the data connection speeds of various operators. You can usually find this information on websites or by asking a sales rep. The higher the number of kilobits per second (kbps), the faster your internet connection will be when trying to upload or download data.
- Technology is always evolving. The latest version of the "G" protocol and the latest generation of mobile technology will always be the fastest. However, not all phones support the fastest and most modern data connections.
Step 4. Decide which rate plan is best suited to your needs
The choice of plan determines the type of phone you can buy, the operations you can carry out with it, the duration of the contract with your operator and the monthly amount you have to pay. Choose a plan that fits your budget but allows you to have the features you want on mobile. Some of the most common features are:
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Minutes:
how many minutes of calls are offered to you per month? How much does it cost to exceed the deductible? Do the minutes carry over to the following month if you don't use them? Some operators designate days or hours when you have unlimited minutes to call and receive phone calls, while others offer unlimited calls.
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Messages:
today, messaging is probably one of the most important features of mobile phones. Almost all operators offer infinite SMS or a certain amount of free messages. Be careful, because with some companies, reading the messages is subject to a fee.
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Data usage:
operators offer various amounts of data that you can use each month to upload and download information via the internet. Quantities range from 500MB up to unlimited data.
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Voice mail:
this feature often comes at an additional cost. It is very useful if you can't always answer the phone; however, calls to voicemail can be counted in the minutes available to you.
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Caller ID:
today this functionality is very important. Most operators offer it for free, as it is a much sought after and awaited feature.
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Contracts:
almost all tariff plans envisage signing a one to three year contract with the operator. Usually, you will receive a discount on the phone or have the option to pay in installments over the course of the contract. However, bear in mind that you will pay the price of the phone with interest along with the phone bill.
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Family plans:
If several members of your family use cell phones, the most cost-effective choice may be a family plan. This way you will have an amount of minutes, data and messages to share with the whole family for a month.
Step 5. Buy a prepaid card
If your credit situation is not good, if you want to save money or simply if you want to try a mobile phone without signing up for a long contract, you can choose a prepaid or pay-as-you-go plan. However, here are some downsides to these solutions:
- You will have to buy the phone at full cost and in one go. However, some older phones are cheap.
- Coverage is not your carrier's priority. Even if you choose the telephone company with the best reception in your area, consider that contract users have priority over prepaid ones.
- Customer service can be poor.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Phone
Step 1. Choose a classic phone if you don't have great needs
Are you only interested in calling and texting friends and family? In this case you just need a traditional phone and you can choose the model you prefer, snap-on or with the retractable keyboard.
- The cost of a classic mobile phone is very low. With some contracts, you can even get one for free.
- Traditional mobiles are quite resistant. This is a great advantage if you often find yourself in conditions where you can drop your phone or if you have to use it in situations of precarious balance. You won't have to worry about it breaking as easily as a smartphone.
- If you are elderly and you just need a simple wireless phone, traditional cell phones are the best choice. Some even have a larger keyboard to make it easier to enter numbers.
Step 2. Invest in a smartphone
These devices are like mini-computers and are the most popular among consumers. They have touch screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, HD cameras, and various operating systems (OS). The most common OS are:
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Apple's iOS:
this operating system offers the greatest variety of content and applications, as well as being known for its ease of use and well-designed interface. It is widely used by consumers who want to use multimedia content (watching videos, playing games and socializing with friends) rather than creating it for professional use. For this reason, many professionals prefer other OSes.
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Android:
Android offers more flexibility for developers or those who want to customize the look and feel of their OS. This is a fully configurable operating system if you have some knowledge of technology and is useful if you want to develop applications.
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Windows:
if you own a business, this operating system might be for you. The mobile version of Windows integrates with many traditional Windows programs, such as Microsoft Office, Exchange, and the cloud service. It offers more functionality to create and customize advanced documents.
Step 3. Consider alternatives to phones, such as tablets or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
Today, PDAs are no longer widespread, but updated models of those devices, such as Blackberries, may be for you if your concern is surfing the internet and you don't care about all the other features of smartphones. Tablets have larger screens, greater versatility, and more power like a computer or laptop, but with the convenience of a smartphone.
Part 3 of 3: Using Your Mobile
Step 1. Create the address book by collecting the phone numbers of the people you want to talk to
On smartphones, you should find an app or icon with a picture of a phone or named "Phone". Press it to view your contacts, then press the button to add a number (usually indicated by the "+" symbol). Enter the person's contact information with the numeric keypad, then save it. If you are using a classic phone, just enter the number with the buttons and press the button that allows you to create a new contact.
- Some phones have pages reserved for favorite numbers, recent calls, contacts, the numeric keypad and voicemail.
- Read your phone manual, as the operations required to create a contact are slightly different depending on the operating system. Android phones are different from iPhones and Windows phones.
Step 2. To call, choose or enter a number, then press the "Send" or "Call" button
Often this key is indicated with green letters or symbols. At that point, continue as for a normal phone call.
- End the call by pressing the "End" key, indicated by red letters or symbols. Phone calls usually end automatically after the person you contacted hangs up, but it's best to get in the habit of doing it yourself, especially since some operators charge per minute.
- You can see recent or missed calls within the Phone app on a smartphone or by searching the traditional phones menu. You will find information on who called you, the time and options to call back or add the number to your contacts.
Step 3. Configure the voicemail
Most phones have a button that allows you to automatically call your voicemail. If you can't find it, you can press and hold "1" on the numeric keypad. Follow the system prompts to create your password, record your name or greetings.
- If you don't want to record a custom greeting, the system will use the default one, adding only the name you entered.
- You can change your password, name and voice message at any time by calling the voicemail and following the directions in the menu.
- When you receive a voicemail message, a notification or alert will appear on your smartphone. Call the voicemail number or press and hold "1", then enter the password and listen to the messages. Follow the prompts to call the sender back, save the message or delete it.
Step 4. Write to your contacts.
On almost all phones the application or message box has the name "Messages". Open it and press "Create a new message". Alternatively, you can choose a contact from the phonebook, press the options key and search for the entry that allows you to send him a message.
- On classic phones without a QWERTY keyboard you may need to learn how to use T9 or predictive keyboards to write messages.
- There are many messaging apps available on smartphones that you can download and use. Some use the cellular network to send communications, while others use data, which will count towards your rate plan's total internet data.
Step 5. Lock your keypad or smartphone to prevent unwanted calls and theft
Each phone or operating system locks the keyboard differently. For example, Apple's iOS version 8 and later, available on iPhone 5 and later, offers the Touch ID security system, which can read your fingerprint to unlock your phone. On other smartphones, you just need to enter a password or a four-digit number. Check your settings or manual to learn how to lock your phone.
- For most classic phones, locking the keypad is not a form of security, but rather a preventative measure to avoid unwanted calls. If you have a snap phone, you don't need to worry about this problem. Otherwise, almost all phones are locked by pressing the menu key and immediately after that asterisk. To unlock them, press the unlock key (indicated on the phone), then the asterisk.
- If you are afraid of your phone being stolen, almost all smartphones have applications or measures to locate its location if you lose it.
Step 6. Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network
Many classic phones cannot connect to wireless networks, so they use cellular data to connect to the internet. Smartphones, on the other hand, once connected to Wi-Fi, stop using cellular data and are no longer limited by the quantities imposed by the operator.
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iPhone:
press the Settings icon, then the Wi-Fi bar. Enable Wi-Fi if it's off, then choose a network from the list. Enter the password if the network is secure, then press "Connect".
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Android:
press the App icon from the home screen, then open the Settings. Make sure the Wi-Fi antenna is active in the top right corner, then choose one of the available networks. Enter the password if the network is secure, then press "Connect".
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Windows:
swipe left to open the app list, then tap Settings and Wi-Fi. Make sure Wi-Fi is on, then choose a network from the list of available ones. Enter the password if the network is secure, then press "Done".
- Once connected to Wi-Fi, the symbol should appear in the status bar of the phone. On most devices, it will replace the data "G" symbol, indicating that you are no longer using your carrier's cellular network.
Step 7. Learn how to download apps
Almost all smartphones have pre-installed apps available, and one should be your operating system's app store. Press the corresponding icon and browse or search for the apps you want to use. You may need to create an account to download them. In this case, the phone will ask you to enter your personal information and a payment method.
- The iPhone they use the App Store which requires an Apple ID.
- The devices Android they use the Google Play Store.
- The phones Windows install apps from the Windows Store.
- Some apps are paid. Make sure you have entered the correct payment information in your account. Be careful when you allow other people to use your phone or account to download apps. In most cases, you need to enter a password to download paid programs to protect you from unwanted purchases.
- Some apps offer purchases within the program or give the option to buy more advanced features.
- On classic phones there are usually no app stores from which you can download apps, but rather there are a number of pre-installed applications. Some of the newer models have programs for music, images and games.
Step 8. Charge your phone regularly by plugging it into the charger
Phones have a battery life indicator that tells you what percentage of charge is left or how long you have used it. Almost all devices issue an alert or reminder when the battery is low.
Invest in other types of chargers, such as car chargers, home audio systems, or an extra charger
Advice
- Remember that in almost all tariff plans you always use the minutes at your disposal, even when you call the voicemail, when you receive phone calls or even when the recipient does not answer.
- Lock the numeric keypad when you're not using your phone, or set it to lock automatically. To unlock it, just press a certain key sequence. This is not only a safety measure, but this way you will also avoid calling numbers by mistake when you keep your mobile phone in your pocket or purse.
Warnings
- Almost all rate plans have an early termination penalty, so consider wisely before signing a long-term contract.
- Avoid dropping your phone or using it near water, otherwise you may damage it. Some devices are under warranty, but physical damage is not usually covered.
- Do not drive while using your cell phone. Stop or use a system that can keep your hands free when you are behind the wheel. Many cars have systems available that can communicate with your mobile phone and allow you to make calls or even check messages with voice commands.
