Prepaid Cellular Service

Get a mobile phone without long-term committments. Prepaid wireless service offers the same great benefits as a mobile phone. You can get a national wireless plan so you can talk anywhere in the USA for lower rates than you would expect.

Prepaid cell phones are ideal for:

• teens who want a cell phone without relying on a parents credit standing
  
• people who don't want to be locked into a year-long contract
  
• first-time cellular buyers who don't know how many monthly minutes they should sign up for.
  
• people who don't want to go over their budget
  
• people with damaged or no credit history
  
• occasional users
  
• people who want to buy their children a phone for emergency use
  travelers

So, what's the difference between ordinary cell phone service billed by the month and prepaid? There's a world of difference:

Prepaid Cellular Pros

• prepaid minutes can be spread over several months, usually two or three, so if you only use your phone occasionally, it can be less expensive than paying every month for airtime that you won't use.
  
• no credit checks needed. Perfect for the credit challenged, since monthly billed plans require credit approval.
  
• no monthly service fees
  
• no monthly bill, so you avoid potential check or cashier's fees for the payment of your monthly bill.
  
• no security deposits. Some monthly plans may require a deposit.
  
• no contract to sign
  
• Better cost control. You know exactly how much you will spend.
  
• no need to disclose your real identity. In most cases, you can activate a prepaid phone plan under the name Mickey Mouse if you wish. Rumour has it that this is a big hit with Mafiosi trying to remain anonymous!

Our Recommendation

TracFone is a cellular phone service that lets you pay as you go, with no hidden charges and no strings attached. Instead of signing a long-term contract and choosing a monthly rate plan, you simply buy prepaid cards for various amounts of airtime. TracFone actually tracks how much airtime you use, so you can control your costs.

TracFone brings you cell phone service without a contract, credit check, security deposit, activation fee or cancellation fee if you discontinue service. There's also no minimum age requirement and no phone bills to pay. The phone itself displays how much airtime you've used and how much is left.