Best Cell Phone Service in Winston Salem, NC

How To Choose The Best Cell Provider in Winston Salem, NC

When they look for cell phone service, people in Winston Salem, NC have a number of plans and providers to consider. It's not difficult to find a company that delivers all of the desired cellular services. Nevertheless, people need to consider what features they truly need and determine realistic spending limits. Although many plans seem desirable at first glance, cell phone users who perform research often find more affordable alternatives that provide similar services. It's wise to compare an appealing plan with alternatives from a variety of reputable providers. Be sure to carefully examine the features, limits and prices of each service. Many people find that this becomes a time-consuming research project. The good news is that MyRatePlan can simplify and expedite the comparison process. Users can view numerous carriers' prices on a single website.

Types of Cell Phone Plans in Winston Salem, NC

If you're like most consumers in Winston Salem, NC, you use your cell phone for calls, text messages, and mobile data. That means that when you shop for wireless service, you have to consider the minutes, texts, and data available through each plan.

It's becoming more and more common for people to use their cell phones as their primary or even their only phone. If you've chosen to do the same, then it's even more important to find a plan that suits your needs. Even if you already have a carrier and a plan, it's possible that by looking up other plans you'll find a better deal. When shopping for a wireless plan, you can look for individual, family, or no contract plans.

Individual plans include one phone line for one device, with a set minutes, text message, and data allotment. If you are unmarried with no kids, then you'll probably be looking at an individual plan.

With family plans, you get a phone line for each family member, and each family member can get whatever phone they want. Since there are more phone lines, family plans cost more than individual plans, but they're cheaper on a per-line basis. Family plans may have separate minutes, texts, and data for each family member, or everyone could share those, so check that whatever plan you get has enough of everything.

No contract plans go by many other names, depending on the carrier, including prepaid, pay-as-you-go, and month-to-month plans. You pay for the features you want in advance, and you aren't tied to any contracts. Because of that, phone prices are significantly higher unless you choose a basic phone. You can likely get the latest smartphones on a no contract plan in Winston Salem, NC, but expect to pay a premium, or not be able to finance the phone.

Contract plans are almost always for two years, although you can occasionally find a carrier with a one-year option. You pay your phone bill monthly, and must pay for the entire length of the contract. While you can cancel your plan early, you'll end up with an early termination fee. The carrier bases that fee on the amount left on your contract and includes a penalty along with it.

What Wireless Plan Is Best For You in Winston Salem, NC?

To determine the type of plan you need, decide how many people you want to have on your plan and the services you need. Carriers break down their plans by the talk, text, and data limits.

If you're looking for the lowest price, look into a contract plan with a limited number of minutes and text messages (probably 400 or less). Keep in mind that you get the most bang for your buck with unlimited plans, and those are best if you talk and text often throughout the day. When you're on a prepaid plan, you deposit money onto your wireless card, and then use that money to buy minutes (by either paying per minute or buying a package of minutes).

It's crucial that you find a plan with enough mobile data. It's rare to find truly unlimited data plans, and carriers in Winston Salem, NC typically charge quite a bit for high data use. Data pricing is per megabyte or gigabyte, with gigabytes being more common as data needs have grown. If you go over your data limit, you may get an overage charge or the carrier could throttle (slow down) your data.

Comparing Winston Salem, NC Cell Phone Carriers

There are four well-known and reputable carriers in Winston Salem, NC that all provide coverage in and around the city. These are: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. There are also smaller companies, known as MVNOs, which offer service. However, these carriers usually operate over the larger carrier networks, so choosing these companies is also a good option in Winston Salem, NC

AT&T is a well-known company that offers a multitude of cell phone plans, such as individual, contract, no contract, family, and pay-as-you-go plans.

Sprint offers a popular plan known as the Better Choice Plan, available for friends and family. They also offer unlimited 4G LTE data without throttling on the Unlimited Freedom Plan.

T-Mobile is known as the 'uncarrier', as they do not offer contract plans. Instead, you can choose individual and family plans with different amounts of data, along with unlimited talk and text, for a single price per month.

Verizon Wireless offers no contract, individual and family plans. Most plans come with unlimited talk and text, as well as a set amount of data.

You can also choose from other cell phone companies, called MVNOs, that offer their own packages and plans. Since they generally operate under the network of national carriers, they are typically reliable. Compare different rates and plans with our cell phone comparison tool found above and find a plan that works best for you or your family today.