INTERMEDIATE
MyFaves 300
Price: $39.99
Minutes: 300
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Solving the puzzle of cellphone plans
YOUR MONEY
The choices are dizzying, but careful consumers can get exactly what they need.
* Unlimited calls to five U.S. numbers
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* $35 activation fee; $200 early termination fee
PREMIUM
MyFaves 5000
Price: $139.99
Minutes: 5000
* Unlimited calls to five U.S. numbers
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* $35 activation fee; $200 early termination fee
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ALLTEL
CHEAPEST
Greater Freedom
Price: $39.99
Minutes: 700
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* Unlimited Alltel mobile-to-mobile calls
* Available only in Imperial County
* $25 activation fee; $200 early termination fee
INTERMEDIATE
National Freedom
Price: $49.99
Minutes: 1000
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* Unlimited Alltel mobile-to-mobile calls
* No roaming charges to major U.S. cities
* Available only in Imperial County
* $25 activation fee; $200 early termination fee
PREMIUM
National Freedom
Price: $199.99
Minutes: 6000
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* Unlimited Alltel mobile-to-mobile calls
* No roaming charges to major U.S. cities
* Unlimited calling to 10 U.S. numbers
* Available only in Imperial County
* $25 activation fee; $200 early termination fee
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VERIZON
CHEAPEST
America's Choice Basic
Price: $39.99
Minutes: 450
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* Unlimited calls to other Verizon customers
* $35 activation fee; up to $175 early termination fee
INTERMEDIATE
America's Choice Select
Price: $59.99
Minutes: 450
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* Unlimited calls to other Verizon customers
* Unlimited messaging in the U.S.
* $35 activation fee; up to $175 early termination fee
PREMIUM
America's Choice Select
Price: $219.99
Minutes: 6000
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* Unlimited calls to other Verizon customers
* Unlimited messaging in the U.S.
* $35 activation fee; up to $175 early termination fee
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AT&T
CHEAPEST
Nation 450 w/Rollover
Price: $39.99
Minutes: 450
* 5,000 night (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and weekend minutes
* Unlimited AT&T mobile-to-mobile calls
* Unused minutes can accumulate for up to one year
* $36 activation fee; $175 early termination fee
INTERMEDIATE
Nation 900 w/Rollover
Price: $59.99
Minutes: 900
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* Unlimited AT&T mobile-to-mobile calls
* Unused minutes can accumulate for up to one year
* $36 activation fee; $175 early termination fee
PREMIUM
AT&T Unity 6000
Price: $199.99
Minutes: 6,000
* Unlimited night calls: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Unlimited weekend calls
* No roaming charges
* Unlimited AT&T mobile-to-mobile calls
* Unused minutes can accumulate for up to one year
* $36 activation fee; $175 early termination fee
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Sources: The companies
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Research by SCOTT WILSON
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
Online resources
Here are websites that can help you find a cellphone plan and handset.
Ratings and reviews
www.consumerreports.org
www.jdpower.com/telecom
www.wirelessguide.org
Comparison shopping
www.bizrate.com/cellphones1
www.cellphones.ca
www.cell-phone-plans.net
www.letstalk.com
www.myrateplan.com
www.phonedog.comwww.phonescoop.com
www.wirefly.com
Source: Times research
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