Have you ever wanted a cell phone, but didn't want the monthly bill and lengthy service contract? If so, a prepaid cell phone may be just the thing for you. A prepaid phone allows you to pay for the service in advance, removing the unpleasant surprises that a contract cell phone may deliver with the bill.
A prepaid cell phone can be purchased quite inexpensively online or from most discount, drug and convenience stores. Usually the cell phone will include a limited number of minutes which you can use to activate the phone and buy more minutes.The minutes may be paid for with a credit card or debit card.
Most prepaid cell phones will also allow you to purchase more minutes and activate the phone on the Internet, again using a credit or debit card.
Most prepaid phones may also have minutes added by buying "top-up" card. The card can also be purchased at most major retailers, electronics and convenience stores. Look around in the stores you frequent before buying a phone to see if you can conveniently buy a top-up card for it.
The card will have a code on it which you will need when you add minutes to the phone. If you use the phone to call it in, have the card handy so you can use the code. On the Internet, you will just enter the code in the proper place on the form.
You will need to have your cell phone turned on when you add the minutes. These should be added almost instantly when you enter it online, or top it up by phone. The phone will beep and you will receive a brief text message informing you that the minutes have been added and how many were added.
Usually there is a time period in which the minutes must be used. This time period is frequently ninety days, but could vary depending on the carrier. If you have not used the minutes by the time this period has expired, you will probably lose the minutes and possibly use of the phone. You may add minutes any time you wish. You can wait until most of the minutes have been used, or any other time.
Prepaid cell phones can be used for a number of applications. Persons expecting to use the phone very infrequently, or just for emergencies may find a prepaid plan helpful. A prepaid cell phone can also help you control the phone usage by teenagers who are notorious for running up huge bills either texting or talking.
If your credit rating is such that you will not qualify for a regular cell phone plan plan, you only option may be a prepaid phone, as you can buy the top-up cards for cash and use them to add minutes to the phone.
If you are in the process of moving and don't want to be bound by a contract, the prepaid phone may also be a temporary option, allowing you to have a cell phone until you get settled in a new area. Or possibly you may just not want to be bound by a plan of any kind. Any of these reasons, or a score more, may prompt you to purchase a prepaid phone.
A prepaid phone may be a great option for a large number of people. Prepaid phones have become the most popular option worldwide, and the usage continues to grow. Since the phones can be purchased inexpensively, have several convenient methods to add minutes and can reduce the costs of owning a cell phone, their usage will probably continue to grow.
