Cellular networks historically used analogue technology, gradually incorporating more advanced digital means of communication. These networks work similar to a radio, transmitting packets of voice and data invisibly through the air. Essentially a cell phone plays the role of a receiver while cellular towers hand-off transmissions. The more cellular towers a company owns and operates, the greater degree of coverage a consumer will experience. Cellular phone companies offer different types of coverage plans to appeal to various needs. Hawaiian Telecom offers data only, shared data, international coverage, and voice only plans.
Voice only plans restrict phone usage to voice calls and text messages. Consumers are charged a monthly fee in exchange for a specific amount of minutes and text messages. For example, forty-five dollars includes unlimited voice calls and text messages with some cellular phone providers. Other providers charge thirty-five dollars a month for unlimited text messages and three hundred minutes of voice calls. Depending on the provider, these plans are available as pre-paid or post-paid. A typical post-paid plan entails being billed by the provider for services after the consumer uses them. A pre-paid plan means that consumers must pay upfront before they use the services.
In order to avoid interruption in service and jeopardize the loss of one’s phone number, many pre-paid customers set up an automatic payment through a credit card or some other means. This is easiest to do if the user has an unlimited usage plan or stays within his or her allotted usage limits each month. Data usage is an area where many consumers struggle to keep their costs under control. Data includes e-mail, social media, web surfing, and streaming. Some cell phone providers also include text messages in data usage. Hawaiian Telecom sells data plans in terms of gigabytes. Consumers can choose between four, six, eight, or ten gigabytes of data usage per month.
The majority of consumers will find that there is an appropriate plan for their coverage needs. The introduction of voice and data capabilities on cellular networks has revolutionized the way consumers use their phones.
Due to their portability and ability to take the place of both a phone and a computer, smartphones have been replacing traditional land lines and broadband Internet service. Whether the cellular industry completely takes over the function of traditional land lines and Internet services remains to be seen. Visit Website for more details.
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