Cell Phone Provider Comparison

Fortunately, LoveToKnow Cell Phones is here and we've taken some of the work out of your searching. We've taken the top five cell phone providers in the United States and compared their service plans. Use the info to get a good idea what each company is "good at", then dive deeper into their service plans to find the perfect fit. Comparing cell phone providers is easy now that they're all on one page!

Cell Phone Plans

The five major carriers in the United States are Verizon, Nextel, T-Mobile, Sprint and Cingular. Each one offers a different set of plans, coverage areas and caters to a slightly different customer base. They still compete with one another, though, which is why smart shopping can get you a comfortable cell phone calling plan.

Before you start researching, know the answers to the following five questions:

• Do you want a plan only for yourself or for several family members?
• How many minutes will you need each month?
• What's your budget?
• Will roaming charges be an issue?
• Will you be traveling and need a large service area?

Cingular Plans

Cingular offers good coverage with few roaming charges and is best for families looking to keep in touch.

Their motto, "Raising the bar", seems to hold true. Cingular offers the widest coverage of the five major cell phone carriers in North America. They also offer a number of plans ranging from individual to family and even pay as you go. Many plans have dropped roaming and long distance charges as well, making it an excellent choice if you're heading across the continent and want to stay in touch. There are also international calling plans available, though the rates aren't as competitive as some other providers.

• Cingular Cell Phones

T-Mobile Calling Plans

T-Mobile offers a ton of free minutes and is great for the cell-phone addict that doesn't travel very much.

Best known for their free minutes and rollover plans, T-Mobile gives you a lot of calling options and is well-suited for family or business use. Their coverage is uneven at best and roaming charges will apply when you travel. The eastern half of the United States is well-covered, with a few large bare spots in Georgia, Nevada and New York. And no, Catherine Zeta-Jones is not included in any of T-Mobile's plans.

• T Mobile Cell Phones

Verizon Wireless

Go with Verizon Wireless if you need reliable coverage while you travel.

Verizon's claim to fame is their reliable network that's "with you no matter where you go". For the most part it's true, as very few calls are lost as you move around North America. But roaming charges are always a bother and may keep you from dialing too many numbers while out and about. Their calling plans are standard fare and competitive with the other companies listed in this article.

• Verizon Cell Phones

Nextel

Nextel has an unrivaled walkie-talkie network that offers free non-private conversations. Great for families who need to keep track of young ones roaming around.

Offering the most unique calling plans of the big five, Nextel caters to individuals, families and businesses with a wide variety of options to choose from. They also boast the world's largest walkie-talkie network (based on Motorola's iDEN technology) which allows Nextel users to talk for free regardless of the time of day or location. Unfortunately these conversations aren't private, but it's an innovative feature that could be a deal maker for many (especially families). Nextel doesn't offer as many free phones with paid plans like other carriers, but they do provide extensive coverage plans for their hardware.

Sprint Calling Plans

Best for businesses and gadget-obsessed customers who have a little extra money to spend.

Aiming for the tech savvy bunch, Sprint boasts integrated plans that include computer, BlackBerry and land-phone features to make your digital life a little more harmonious. Their phones also come packed with tons of bells and whistles you probably didn't know you needed. Sprint's network rivals Cingular's coverage area and even manages to get the small pockets in Nevada the other carriers have difficulty holding. And if they don't have service, chances are they're partnered with someone who does. Unfortunately this coverage comes at a steep roaming cost and most calling plans are more expensive than other carriers.