What is the difference between peak and off-peak minutes?

Peak and off-peak minutes explained

The difference between peak and off-peak cell phone usage used to be a serious concern for most wireless users. New programs offered by many cell phone carriers in recent years have lessened this issue. You should still have a good understanding of the difference, however.

Peak minutes are those applied to the highest usage time of the typical business day, generally from around 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. While you certainly hope that your normal business day doesn’t often extend through this entire time period, understand that the U.S. has four major time zones.

While you may be watching your favorite TV show at 9:00 p.m. in Boston, your peers in Seattle may still be working at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Off-peak minutes generally apply to the lowest wireless carrier usage, typically after 9:00 p.m. until very early morning and most weekends. “Social” callers often become clock-watchers, waiting for the strike of 9:00 p.m. to become chatty. The cost of off-peak cell phone minutes is often 50% (or more) less than peak per minute charges.

However, many plans now offer a fixed rate for both types of minutes, include 1,000 or more off-peak minutes, or even unlimited off-peak and Nights/Weekends usage. You’ll pay a bit more per month for these plans, but they often can save you hundreds of dollars if you are an active cell phone user.