Best Cell Phone Carriers in Columbus, OH

Best Cell Phone Coverage in Columbus, OH

When choosing a cell phone provider for the Columbus, OH area, you need to make sure that they provide coverage for the area where you live. Before deciding anything, weigh the different options, making sure you go with the plan that provides the best cell phone coverage in your area, so you won't have to worry about dropped calls. Even worse, if you commit to a cell phone provider who doesn't cover your area, all your calls will go to voicemail when you're home, and you'll have to leave the house to place a call. Save yourself the nightmare by investigating the different coverage options that are out there.

Different Types of Cell Phone Plans in Columbus, OH

Anyone using a mobile phone most likely wants to be able to use it with the freedom to do as they wish without having to worry about usage overages. This means adequate data limits, text messages, and voice minutes. These are the main three factors to consider in terms of plan options across different providers that service Columbus, OH.

As the world moves to an increasingly mobile way of life, more and more people are using their cell phones to handle the majority or totality of their interactions with the world. Mobile coverage has never been more vital for people like this, and PhoneDog helps you find all the coverage options in your area so you can find the optimal plan for you. Wireless coverage plans typically fall into one of three main categories, which are family plans, individual plans, and no-contract plans.

Family plans are possibly the most common type of plan in Columbus, OH. These plans include coverage for multiple individuals and often operate by providing the group with a pool of shared data, voice minutes, and text messages. It's worth noting that family plans can be used by any group of two or more people. Each person ends up paying less than they would be charged under an individual plan, and the shared coverage is usually ideal for the variable needs of any small group. Some individuals even choose to go with a family plan if they require more than one device for their personal needs.

Individual plans in Columbus, OH cover a single line and have a preset limit on data, voice, and text messages. This is ideal for those who only need to cover themselves on a single device. Both individual plans and family plans tend to be contract-only plans, which means they will be in effect for at least two years. Some providers have started offering plans for a single year, and that has attracted quite a few users. Users will pay on a month-to-month basis, but their payments will be set at a single rate. Overages might cause higher premiums, but each monthly payment would have the same base value. Early termination fees apply to such accounts in order to discourage breaking the contract.

No-contract plans in Columbus, OH come in a variety of styles within the category. You might opt for a prepaid plan that has you pay upfront for data, text messages, and voice minutes, or you might choose a pay-as-you-go plan that measures your use and charges you accordingly. The options have evolved quite a bit since the days of the simple prepaid phone card. Some of these plans have a number of fees that may be associated with them, and you'll generally have to either provide your own device or pay the full price for a new one. You might have the option of choosing the latest iPhone or Android device, but you'll pay several hundred dollars to own the device outright. The upside, of course, is that you'll have no contract and can move the phone to a new plan whenever you like.

The Best Cell Phone Plans for You in Columbus, OH

What should you consider before choosing a plan? Think carefully about your cell phone needs, how many people need to be on the plan, and the services and bonus features you will want to have. The three major components of a cell phone plan are talk, text, and data.

To get the best plan for you in Columbus, OH, you should first understand the criteria. Talk refers to the amount of minutes you can talk without incurring a surplus charge for extra minutes. Here, you can often receive unlimited options, which might be useful if you talk on the phone frequently. Text refers to the rate for sending text messages, sometimes including a set amount of text messages that are covered under your plan. If you are in the dating world or have children in their teens or tweens, you will want to invest in a significant text message plan, otherwise you will end up with an unbelievable bill at the end of every month. Data refers to things like internet access on your phone. If you have a smartphone, you will need data for checking your email, listening to music, watching videos, and anything else that you might do without a wireless internet connection nearby.

Cheaper plans let you limit your text messages and minutes to 400 or less. However, if you have serious texting or talking needs, unlimited plans are recommended as these let you talk and text throughout the day without running into excessive costs or fees. Prepaid plans let you load your wireless card up with money, getting you the minutes ahead of time. For example, you might buy 500 prepaid minutes for $30. When these expire, you will need to add minutes to your phone.

What about data usage? Data usage is important to many mobile customers today, and most Columbus, OH cell phone carriers charge extra for heavy data usage. An unlimited data plan works well for your modern email, research, fact checking, and googling needs. Some companies hit you with high data charges if you use too much data, so make sure that you carefully consider your data usage.

Compare Cell Phone Carriers in Columbus, OH

AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless all offer cell phone coverage in Columbus, OH. Even smaller carriers usually operate under one of these carriers, and are known as MVNOs.

AT&T has been one of the largest wireless providers for years and offers many different types of plans. Customers can choose from individual, no contract, contract, family, and pay-as-you-go wireless plans. AT&T even offers an unlimited data plan.

T-Mobile offers all no contract plans for customers. All T-Mobile customers receive unlimited text, talk, and data (data is throttled at different levels) for one monthly price. They also offer family and individual cell phone plans.

Sprint offers a few types of plans including an unlimited plan that many find affordable. Sprint offers a variety of plans at an affordable rate.

Verizon Wireless offers family, individual and no contract plans. You can choose from a prepaid plan, shared data plan, or unlimited data plan to start. A shared data plan may be used by one individual or within a family and include unlimited texting and talk time, with a pre-set amount of data.

MVNOs also offer reasonable cell phone plans and prices in Columbus, OH. These can be compared along with the other major carriers by using our simple cell phone plan comparison tool right here on our page.