Best Cell Phone Service in Ames, IA

Compare and Find Cell Phone Plans in Ames, IA

When you begin looking for cell phone coverage in Ames, IA, rest assured that you won't have to look far to find a plan that will fit both your needs and your budget. You'll want to carefully consider what you actually require in a cell phone and how much you really want to spend. You may find a deal that seems inexpensive in the beginning, but after comparing it to other plans with similar features, it may be more of a drain on your wallet than you expected. It's always a smart idea to compare different cell phone plans before settling on one. We offer a variety of services here at MyRatePlan that will help you spot the different features and benefits right off the bat. This helps you choose a plan that is right for you as an individual or as a family in Ames, IA. You'll know from the beginning who offers the rates that will fit your budget, as well as what company has the best features and most reliable reception.

Types of Cell Phone Plans in Ames, IA

People who live in Ames, IA typically have three main features they want in a cell phone plan - enough minutes to cover all their calls, sufficient text messages, and data to use while on the go. Check out the minute, text message, and data limits when you look at a wireless service plan so you know that it has enough of each.

More and more people are relying on cell phones for most or even all of their communications. If you're part of that group, then you need a plan that has everything you need. If you already have a plan, use our service to see how much you may be able to save with another carrier or plan type. Wireless plans fall under three basic categories, which are individual plans, family plans, and no contract plans.

An individual plan is one phone line with minutes, text messages, and data for that one device. This is often the best choice if you don't have anyone else you want on your plan, such as a spouse or any children.

With family plans, every member of your family has their own phone line on the plan. These plans are more expensive overall than individual plans since there are more phone lines, but you pay less than you would with multiple individual plans. Some family plans have shared minutes, text messages, and data between every device on the plan, so you have to find one with enough for your entire family.

No contract plans, which are also known as prepaid, pay-as-you-go, or month-to-month plans, are simple and flexible. You choose a prepaid phone, which you can find at any department store in Ames, IA, and pay for the features that you want. There may be additional fees with these types of plans, and you often have to pay more for the phone since you're not tied to a contract (or choose a cheap, basic phone). There are no-contract plans that you can get with the latest, most advanced smartphones.

The standard length of a cell phone contract is two years, but you may find one-year plans with certain carriers. You pay your phone bill monthly, and must continue until your contract is up, at which point it becomes a month-to-month contract. While you're able to cancel at any time, there will be an early termination fee.

Which Cell Phone Plan Is Best For You in Ames, IA

When you have to choose a new cell phone plan in Ames, IA, it is a good idea to think about how many lines you will need and the type of additional services you want to include. Most service providers will factor three things into the plans that they offer: talk, text and data.

If you choose to go with a cheaper plan, you may end up having a limit on your talk and text messages. That is good for people who don't use their phones often. But those who talk on a daily basis and need access to their phone at all times should go with an unlimited plan. For those who choose a prepaid plan, you can either buy a refill card that offers minutes or go with an unlimited talk and text refill card that is offered by most (but not all) no-contract carriers.

Data is a major factor when it comes to choosing a plan these days. Most cell phone carriers in Ames, IA will charge more for high amounts of data use. And while there are some unlimited data plans available, they tend to either have restrictions and limits, or they are extremely expensive. Most plans are priced per MB or GB used, in some cases, when you go over your data limit, you will be charged for overages. Therefore, it is important to choose a data plan that will meet your personal data usage needs.

Cell Phone Carriers in Ames, IA

AT&T is one of the largest providers out of all of them, and it has many different plans. You can potentially get contract, no contract, family, individual, and pay-as-you-go phone plans.

Verizon Wireless offers family sharing plans, individual plans, and no contract plans as well. When it comes to Verizon, you pick a shared data plan or prepaid plan to start. Shared data plans can be used by one person or as a family unit and they tend to come with unlimited text and talk as well as a pre-specified amount of data.

Sprint offers a couple of different plans including a new plan for family and friends. This plan is called the Better Choice Plan. They also offer the Sprint Unlimited Freedom plan which offers unlimited talk, text, and data.

T-Mobile goes by the title 'The Un-carrier.' They have plenty of plans that are all no contract plans in nature. With the T-Mobile ONE plans, customers will get unlimited text, talk, and data which are throttled at separate levels, all for a single price monthly. They offer both family and individual phone plans.

There are also many smaller carriers called MVNOs that run on the backs of the larger carrier networks. Since these smaller carriers run on the networks of the Big Four carriers, there's a good chance they have coverage in Ames, IA. MyRatePlan gives you all the tools you need to find the best cell phone service in your area.