Post-Paid
Post-paid plans are contract based plans, much like those you sign for a gym membership. By a customer agreeing to have the service for a specified period of time; usually a year to two, the carrier compensates you by providing the customer with a lower monthly charge. If you want to change carriers before the contract you signed expires, you will most likely have to pay an Early Termination Fee.  

Post-paid plans also give customers the use of the newest technology, such as email, sending and receiving photos, video and music downloads. These plans break down into three categories: Individual plans, Family plans and Data plans. The information below is a representation of what each of these plans generally includes, but visit a carrier’s site for specific information.

Individual Plans
Individual plans consist of only one phone line. Customers get to choose “buckets” of minutes for their monthly use. Other services may be available either for additional charges, or as part of the overall service package.

Family Plans
Family plans consist of more then one phone line. These plans share minutes between multiple phone lines, generally ranging from two to six, depending on your carrier. Customers also get to choose “buckets” of minutes they will use per month between all phone lines.

Data Plans
Data plans are for wireless devices that are capable of such things as surfing the web, sending and receiving email, downloading games, music and or video--- basically everything else besides talking. These plans may be flat fee plans which allow you to text message or send and receive photos or email without paying per text message or MB (megabytes) used, or they may apply usage-sensitive charges based on your volume of messages. Data plans can break down into three categories depending on your device and/or need. 

Data and Voice Bundle Plans
For Smartphones or wireless PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants, such as BlackBerry or Treo devices) most carriers offer customers plans that allow  them to combine their voice and data plans into one simple plan. These plans may offer unlimited data usage along with the choice of “buckets” of minutes to use for phone calls per month.

Wireless Broadband Plans
Carriers now offer Wireless Broadband plans for customers that want the ability to use a high-speed wireless card to connect their laptop to the Internet wherever they are. Carriers offer this unlimited ability for a monthly fee. Check with your carrier for specifics.


  • Have You Seen the
    WOW October ‘08 Webcast Yet?

Wireless is constantly and dramatically changing the way we live, work and play. CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless Webcast this month showcases:

  • An interview with CTIA President & CEO Steve Largent sharing his thoughts on the 25th Anniversary of Wireless, 
  • A segment on how wireless technology is helping industry go green,
  • A segment on how wireless is saving lives, as well as much, much more.

Check out the Wonder of Wireless now!