Voip Blog

Considering all the new features and services now available on cell phones; wallpapers, imaging, and downloadable free ringtones, as a cell phone user, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the constant changes that are made to improve cell phones; more often than not, buyers just do not know which model to choose. So you won’t get caught in a ‘decision trap’, become educated before you make your next phone purchase; some interesting buying facts are supplied in this article.

Every user will occasionally experience the race against battery life as they try to use up every ounce of power there is before recharging. The result of this being done constantly means you may find yourself buying a new cell phone battery prematurely as your existing one is no longer holding a charge.

One easy way to extend the life of a cell phone battery is to turn off the back light or reduce the brightness just so you can see what you need to on the screen. The biggest drain on the cell phone battery is when it is trying to receive a signal and a full charge can fade completely overnight even though it is not being used just because it cannot find a signal so if this is the case, turn it off. When ever you use your cell phone; talking, playing games, listening to music, taking picture with the flash or surfing the Internet, it will drain the battery faster so limit these activities otherwise you may not be able to make that urgent call you need.

You will often find that wallpapers, free cellular phone ringtones and images that are downloaded automatically will have a charge even though this is not mentioned at the start so be aware. Many children have run up huge debts with this facility without knowing or believing it’s free, so parents should ensure they have control over this feature, especially if their cell phones are equipped for cellular phone ringtones.

Cell phone plans are generally available where you pay only when it is used or through a contract that supplies a pre-agreed amount of minutes per month. It really does depend on the type of user you are as infrequent users benefit from the ‘pay per use’ plans. Users who make frequent calls will undoubtedly find a contact with a set amount of minutes the better of the two options available. Many features are specific to certain plans so you will need to think about how you intend to use the phone to have the best features you require as part of your contract.

Also with any plan, consider if long distance is included so find out the usual roaming charges, connection fees (if applicable), and if there are any other hidden fees in the plan. Steer clear of a contract that does not supply the phone with an insurance warranty as you could be liable for any costs if it were stolen or inadvertently damaged.

If you decide to buy your cell phone on the Internet, make sure it is not an old or outgoing model unless you do not mind of course; otherwise you may find it doesn’t have all the features you want included.

In USA Today a device with Google’s OS Android was annouonced.
The Google browser was implemented on a HTC Qtek 9090 smartphone.
It will have a Google browser, games, camera and more.

T-Mobile has committed to offer Google OS based phone, Sprint will wait and see what Android looks like.
AT&T and Verizon Wireless didn’t make a commitments at this time.

VoIP over mobile phones give consumers the possibility to save on their phone bills.

Mobile internet technologies will be regularly used to carry voice calls within the next five years.

VoIP will pick up about 250 million users by 2012, despite very few people making use of these services now.

Dean Bubley, noted: “3G networks are increasingly capable of supporting VoIP, for both traditional mobile operators and independent internet-based VoIP challengers.”

But while mobile operators may be worried about losing call revenues to IP phone services, Mr Bubley suggested that they will finally use IP telephony themselves.

He said that VoIP will allow them to save on their cost of running their networks and offer them opportunities to launch new features for their services.

You most likely have no idea how much you will be charged for your calls when abroad and on holiday.
Most people do not aware they have to pay roaming fees for Cellular calls outside their area. In general roaming fees can range up to $2 per minute depending on your carrier.

Let’s say your friend calls you, using her Cellular, when you are on holiday in Europe.
Who pays for what?
When you get a call from the USA to e.g. to Germany you have to pay for the roaming fee. When you make the call you additional have to pay the standard domestic rate.
Of course, your friend has to pay the standard domestic rate for her call.

But the roaming fee to reach you in Europe will be billed to you.

The roaming fees are always billed in 60 sec. increments. So if you only call for 30 seconds, the billing is rounded up the next full minute.
Whenever using your Cellular, you will be charged for the airtime used . This includes incoming and toll free calls. Calling a toll free number only eliminates the long distance fee that would be charged to you.
Sometimes, when you are roaming into another carrier’s network coverage area, you will be charged an access fee. These fees can apply for each call to fee once a day. These fees can be up to $9.95 for access to the network in which you are roaming.
And you must not forget taxes on your mobile phone bill you have to pay at home.

How to avoid roaming fees?
To avoid expensive %roaming fees% you should buy a SIM card for your Cellular in the country you are. With a SIM if someone calls you, you will not pay a dime!

What kind of Cellulars are supported?
All GSM Cellulars without SIM lock are supported. U.S.A and Canada customers should have a Tri or Quad band phone. CDMA phones will not work.

How to know if my phone is already unlocked or not?
Borrow a SIM a friend who has a different provider provider and see if it works in your Cellular or not. If it works, than the Cellular is already unlocked. If it doesn’t, than the Cellular is locked.

How to purchase additional airtime?
Additional airtime can be bought almost everywhere at gas station, shops, newsstands, ATM, lottery shops.

Can I also use my UMTS Cellular or UMTS laptop card?
You can activate UMTS to surf on the Internet. You also can use additional VOIP software like Skype and call all the world for free.

Where to get a prepaid calling card?
A good solution is to get a prepaid Cellular card at the place you are going to. You also can find a card on Ebay or Squidoo.com.

With a SIM for your Cellular you save much money when calling home while abroad. You also can use the SIM to make Voip calls to contact your friends at home and even save much more.

Jim Price
prepaid SIM cards for you Cellular