When buying a phone, research the wireless service provider, devices, and plans that best fit your lifestyle. Talk to family and friends, and search online to learn about others’ experiences.
Find out what the carrier offers. Look at coverage maps on the carriers’ sites to see if you’ll have voice and data signals when you need them. You may not be able to identify dead spots without asking someone who uses that carrier.
Decide what you need. What features do you need in a phone? For instance, do you use calling and texting only? GPS and travel apps? Consider your budget plus how many people use your plan, and how much they call, surf, or use apps. And check out budget-friendly carriers, which may give you the same coverage as larger carriers, but at cheaper prices. Depending on the plan you choose, can you use your current phone, or do you have to buy a new one? Many large phone carriers charge you for a new phone in monthly installments. Before you cancel your service, you might have to finish paying off your old phone.
Get the details on upgrades. Find out if it includes paying off your old phone and contract without additional charges.
Figure out whether a prepaid plan is for you. With a prepaid plan, you buy a device and pay in advance for talk, text, and data usage. You’ll need to pay more whenever you use up your balance. It may be cheaper than a contract plan, but you may experience slower data speeds.
Shop around online and in-store to compare prices and incentives. Ask about military, veteran, or other discounts that might be available to you.
Read and understand the contract. Make sure there are no blank spaces and everything you’ve been promised in conversations is also in writing. Once you’ve signed, you’re locked in.
Learn about your right to cancel. Did you sign a contract before getting orders to change duty station or deploy? You can cancel your contract without penalty or fees, but only if:
- your wireless provider doesn’t provide service in the new location
- your mission doesn’t allow you to use the service, or
- you’re deployed outside of the continental US for more than 90 days.
Request the cancellation in writing, give your wireless service provider a copy of your military orders, and explain why you need to cancel.
