Cell phone bill question

[bookishwench]

My cell phone basically functions as, shockingly, a phone. It doesn't connect to the Internet, it doesn't open or send email, it doesn't do text messaging, it doesn't have music, and while it does have a camera, the pictures it takes are basically blurs. Usually, this doesn't bother me, but I'm beginning to realize there may be some safety issues involved in my rather Amish phone. For example, if the campus is closed during the day due to weather issues, the info is sent out via text message (though eventually the classroom phones also display it). Hence, I'm vaguely considering an upgrade, but I admit to being completely clueless as to what "normal" people pay for a cell phone bill. Currently, I'm at about $34. What would be typical?

[Poll #1926139]

Thanks!

Comments

[phoenix-fancies.livejournal.com]

If you live in an urban area, I really like T-Mobile. I don't get great reception in the 'burbs, necessarily, but I have no complaints about it when I'm in civilization.

Relevant edit: I hardly talk, mostly text, and data all over the place. I get 100 minutes of talk and unlimited everything else, although, I don't know that they offer my plan any more (or maybe only at Walmart?)

[ladyoneill.livejournal.com]

We've had tmobile for several years and are pretty happy with it. I can't say how much I pay because I don't--on dad's family plan. Okay, just asked him so will vote in poll.

[nightshade1972.livejournal.com]

I'm married, and my husband and I have a joint plan. Our bill generally runs around $180. When I was single it was around $70 for my share of the bill (my father paid it, we had a family plan), so for two of us $180 isn't horrible, particularly when you consider that we do have data (internet)/texting on our plan as well. Hubby uses the data more than I do, because he travels a lot for business and when he's on the road his phone functions as his computer, since he's already lugging around a company laptop for work.

ETA we have Verizon. That's also what my parents use. Was a bit of a hassle getting Verizon to take me off my parents' plan and give me my own bill, but not hugely so.

[misswitch.livejournal.com]

You should see if your college offers a discount. I pay about $70 because my district has a discount.

I use Sprint and really like them. I've really never had any dead spots or anything like that, so I'm pretty happy.

[scratchingpost1.livejournal.com]

I have a prepaid phone, and I typically put $25 on it every 2 or 3 months. Of course, I hardly ever use my phone.

[mikelesq.livejournal.com]

Here's the thing: remember that you won't be happy if the call quality is awful. If you're happy with your current carrier's sound quality, think hard before switching to save $4 a month once you add a smartphone/data plan. The difference in call quality region by region can be significant.

But definitely check for discounts through work. Those can be a real saver.