3G Phone Plan Guide

When it comes to 3G, a typical 3G phone plan guide will point you to four names: Telstra, Optus, 3, and Vodafone. While all four offer excellent 3G service, each one has its own pros and cons. A 3G phone plan guide can help you work out their offers and choose the one that suits you best. Here's a quick 3G phone plan guide to help you out.

Look at the real rates.

Pricing is usually the top feature in a 3G phone plan guide, but the actual rates are often different. For instance, your 3G phone plan guide may not mention the added charges for activating the service, or that a so-called one-time fee is only good for a week. Don't relay only on your 3G phone plan guide; clarify any vague claims with the network provider.

Check the coverage.

This is one factor you can't check with a 3G phone plan guide. Telcos are constantly expanding their coverage, so your 3G phone plan guide from last month may not be completely accurate. This is especially important if you travel a lot and need to stay in touch on the go. If you can't check for coverage straight from the telco, make sure to find the most recent 3G phone plan guide.

Do as your peers do.

You may notice that the rates on a typical 3G phone plan guide are lower for calls made within the same network. The savings may be small, but they can really add up throughout a one-year subscription. So look at your most frequently called contacts and consider signing up for the same provider. You can even ask them about the service-firsthand advice is always better than any 3G phone plan guide.

Ask about free handsets.

Many 3G plans come with free handsets, or offer discounted prices for plan purchases. This can be a good choice if you don't have a 3G phone yet or are still looking at 3G phone plan guides. Again, don't rely only on a 3G phone plan guide, as the networks will regularly change their offers. Also, remember that the phone may lock you into a contract of up to two years, so be sure you're up for the commitment.