My two-year cell phone contract is up in several months. I pay $33 a month. My usage has dwindled to hardly anything. I live in a large city, so I would like to have a phone for emergencies, but I understand you can dial 911 even from a deactivated phone. I'm really questioning whether I should keep cell service. I'm single with no children, so that's not a reason to have the phone. I've looked into prepaid services like TracFone or prepaid with my current carrier (Verizon), but they seem too expensive. I would really be interested in hearing from others who've gone through the same process.
Michele H. in Chicago

Check into CallPlus

I use a service called CallPlus. It uses the AT&T network, but the minutes are good for 90 days and they roll over for as long as you keep your service active. The plan also offers free long distance and roaming. One advantage of this plan is that you can use many older cell phones, so you can use a phone you already have (or buy one cheaply at a thrift store or on eBay). The cost is as little as $10 for 90 days, or about $3.30 per month. You also don't pay the extra fees and taxes that most cell phone companies add to their bills. I feel much safer having a cell phone that I can use if my car breaks down or in other emergencies, but I don't need an expensive plan with a lot of minutes.

You can buy a starter kit and extra minutes from www.ecallplus.com or www.pharosint.com.
Karen

Revisit TracFone

We, too, don't use our cell phone except for emergencies and quick calls. We found that the most economical way for us is to use a TracFone. My husband just bought a second one online (www.TracFone.com ). For about $100, he got a reconditioned phone, 250 minutes and one year's service. The phone was basically free, since one year's service and 250 minutes are the standard renewal. They also offer extra minutes at bargain prices, but we've never actually even used all the allotted minutes.

As long as you don't let your minutes expire, you keep the same number. They remind you online of your expiration date, make special offers, and you can add minutes right online.

An added bonus is that you can change your local calling area up to four times a year for free. My son found that handy when he was in college.
Jean

Happy with Virgin Mobile

The best cell phone deal that I have been able to find is the pre-paid cell phone service offered by Virgin Mobile. Once you purchase the phone, you only need to "top off" by purchasing and activating $20 (minimum) worth of airtime once every 90 days. Since I only use it for "emergencies," this works out much more economically for me than my previous plan. Even without making a single call, my monthly bill would be around $15 after applicable taxes. With the Virgin Mobile pre-paid plan, it only averages out to be about $7 per month!
Teresa in Seattle, WA

Free-To-Go

I live in a small town and feel as if I need a cell phone when I'm between towns. However, I don't use it very much, but I still enjoy the security it offers. I live with a very small income since my husband died. Therefore, I cannot afford very much.

AT&T offers a prepaid wireless service that is very reasonable. You can fill your phone with a little as $10 every six weeks to keep it active. The service is called "Free-To-Go." You might look into it. I have had mine for about 18 months and I generally refill it with $25 every six weeks. I usually have minutes left to roll over. If you have something coming up that you feel would require additional minutes, you can add them at any time or buy a larger refill. I usually refill mine online, but you can also purchase refill cards from Wal-Mart and other places as well.
Valerie

Loving Freedom from Cell Phones

I got rid of my cell phone when my contract was up. I really didn't use it for anything important anyway. I now save about $25 a month and don't even miss it.
Laura

Make Them Shake!

I found that when I got rid of my land (home) line and replaced it with my cell phone, not only did my telemarketing calls disappear, but I'm also saving over $40 a month by not having the two services. I have a cell plan with over 2500 free evening (after 7 p.m.) and weekend minutes per month, which is more than enough to talk to my long distance family and friends. The rest of the time I use the phone for emergencies or business. Rarely has it gone over $45 a month. It is a real money saver and one that has traditional phone companies shaking in their boots!
Rene

Don't Renew

I think you may have already answered this question yourself. You said that your cell phone use has dwindled in the past few months and that the main use you would have for one would be emergency calls. You don't sound as though you consider the appearance of your cell phone or the way it makes you feel as important criteria for ownership (which would be disheartening to folks in the cell phone industry, but seems pretty healthy to me). You seem to be saying that cell phones are tools, and tools are only as valuable as they are useful. Therefore, if you aren't finding any regular use for this tool and you are reasonably confident that you can make emergency calls by other means, then it makes sense to pass up the opportunity to renew your contract.
Margaret

Insider Report: 9-1-1 Calls and Deactivated Cell Phones

While it is true that 9-1-1 can be dialed from a "deactivated" cell phone, users of "deactivated" (also known as "non-initialized") cell phones need to keep in mind a few important details.

Even though the caller can reach a 9-1-1 answering point, their location and phone number will not be displayed on the 9-1-1 call taker's screen. This means that the caller must be able to verbally state their location in order to get help. If the caller is unable to speak, the 9-1-1 call taker will not know where they are or what the problem is. Non-initialized cell phones can create a false sense of security because of this.

In addition, these phones are not activated for normal service which means they cannot receive incoming calls or make outgoing calls, except to 9-1-1. In other words, if a user of a non-initialized phone calls 9-1-1 and the call gets disconnected, 9-1-1 will not be able to call the person back.

Users of non-initialized cell phones also need to remember:

If possible, use a landline phone instead of a non-initialized cell phone to call 9-1-1. A landline phone should automatically provide the 9-1-1 call taker with the exact location and phone number from which you're calling.
Always be aware of your location and surroundings so you can verbally advise the call taker where you are.
Give the call taker your location information first. Should the call be disconnected, the call taker would at least know where to send emergency responders.
Keep your phone battery charged. No battery, no phone, no help.

As a side note, the "9-1-1" or "emergency" phones being marketed to the public would fall into this category as well. These phones come in the form of landline phones and cell phones, but have only one button that supposedly calls a 9-1-1 call center. What most of these companies don't tell you is that their call center is not actually a "9-1-1 call center" and the center may be located in another state. They do receive calls, but then transfer the calls to the appropriate emergency response agencies.
Patti
9-1-1 Public Education/Training Coordinator

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