TECHNOLOGY IN OUR LIVES Selecting The Right Wireless Plan For You

(NAPSI)—Here’s something many Arkansans will be talking about: Mobile phone and wireless Internet service in their communities may be easier and better now that a major wireless company has expanded in the state.

Not only are there 16 new T-Mobile stores in Arkansas, the company has significantly improved service here by installing an advanced 4G LTE network throughout the state.

What To Ask

Whether that enhances your ability to call, text, e-mail and so on, however, could depend on the answers to three questions.

  1. Which wireless providers have the best coverage in your area?

All wireless networks are not equal. Some wireless providers have great coverage in cities, some in less populated areas and some in both. You’ll want the peace of mind that your phone will work when and where you need it. You can check all the wireless providers in your area on t-mobile.com/coverage.

  1. Do you like to travel?

According to a 2017 survey from GfK’s KnowledgePanel of recent overseas travelers, more than two-thirds of respondents took their smartphone with them when they traveled and more than half said they’d rather lose their luggage than their phone. If you fly a lot, check which wireless providers offer such perks as free in-flight texting or Wi-Fi. If you like to travel overseas, make sure you know what each wireless company provides when you’re abroad. You may be on the hook for expensive roaming fees if your plan doesn’t include calls, texts and data when traveling internationally.

  1. Do you use your phone a lot for things besides talking, such as Internet, e-mail and watching videos?

You’ll want a plan that matches how you and your family use your phones. If you like checking e-mail, watching videos or just spending a lot of time on the Internet, an unlimited data plan might be right. Plus, there are no overage charges to worry about. Some plans even include all the monthly taxes and fees in the cost, so the price you see is what you pay, which makes it easier to stick to a budget.

What To Know

Before T-Mobile opened its first stores in Arkansas, it built out its LTE network to ensure customers had a great experience from day one. The company had been providing network coverage in the Little Rock area for many years and in 2016 T-Mobile rolled out its Extended Range LTE (ERLTE), which carries signals twice as far from cell sites and is four times better in buildings than before. ERLTE dramatically improved wireless coverage for customers indoors and in their vehicles, and brought high-speed data to outlying areas.

What Else To Consider

If you want to switch wireless providers, it’s a lot easier than it was just a few years ago. Many wireless companies no longer require customers to sign two-year contracts and you can usually bring your current phone with you if it works on the new network. You can keep your old phone number, too. Plus, if you’re still under a contract or making payments on your current phone, T-Mobile will help you pay it off if you switch.

Learn More

For further facts and tips, go to www.t-mobile.com.

“All wireless networks are not equal. Some have great coverage in cities, some in less populated areas and some in both. You’ll get peace of mind when your phone works when and where you need it. http://bit.ly/2Fj2vLz