Buying a Cell Phone?

F tools modern technology become prevalent phone, which allows y touch (almost) time, (almost) anywhere.

A y j --modern phones y receive - x messages, W. Sifting through service plans handsets difficult, we'll y through y g phone service p that's right y.

T Bg Picture

C phones j convenient communication tools: Ty allow y check -mail, y calendar contacts y PC, number y sound y voice, p breaking Internet, photos, py games, x messages, documents, listen music, .

B choosing phone-- service p g --requires legwork.

Y choice phone y depend y choice wireless service provider. I you're shopping carrier, y first figure which carrier offers coverage monthly service p y .

T you'll select phone assortment y chosen service provider offers. W exception handsets, phones y provider's system because carriers mutually exclusive networks, y carriers their phones y can't phone another provider.

T third generation mobile communications technology, commonly called 3G, becoming widely available.

I' supposed boost -transfer performance 2 megabits p second common -transfer 19.2 kilobits p second, particularly handy y phone wirelessly access -mail, x messages, W.

T availability 3G service remains mixed g. Sprint Verizon Wireless Evolution D Optimized (EDO) network, which offers average download speeds 400 700 p potential maximum download speeds 2 p.

Cingular's 3G network, called Hg Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), available y select handsets. (Cingular's HSDPA available PC Cards.) HSDPA promises average download rates 400 700 p bursts 1 p.

Currently, Cingular phones still support Enhanced D rates Global Evolution (EDGE), which promises transmission speeds 384 kbps, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), average speed 40 p capability going p 115 p.

Ky Phone Features

Wireless standard: World travelers affected y wireless standards users based strictly United States.

T because world networks based GSM, which global system mobile communications standard. U.S. carriers, however, variety networks addition GSM. U.S. carriers CDMA ( division multiple access), TDMA ( division multiple access), DEN (integrated digital enhanced network), AMPS (advanced mobile phone service), GPRS (general packet radio service), EDGE (enhanced rates global evolution), and/or EDO (evolution optimized) standards. Cingular AMPS, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, TDMA networks.