Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing a tariff plan
• Part 2 of 3: Choosing a Phone
• Part 3 of 3: Using your phone
• Tips
• Warnings

Cell phones, whether it's a simple phone, a smartphone, or a phone with a bunch of music files and applications, allow us to contact and communicate with other people. Today, cell phones are an integral part of the lives of both adults and adolescents, as these devices are essential for work, study and communication.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Choosing a tariff plan

1. 1 Find a mobile operator. There are probably many cellular providers offering different service plans where you live. Open the websites of such operators or visit their offices to inquire about their services. Or ask your friends what they think about the work of this or that cellular provider; you can also read reviews on the internet.
   • The more subscribers a mobile operator has, the better it is (in most cases it is).
2. 2 Find an operator with a large network coverage and quality signal. These parameters indicate the reliability of the operator (as a rule, the more cell towers the operator has, the better) and guarantee you that the quality of communication will remain stable, for example, while driving, in sparsely populated areas or underground.# * On the Internet, you can find network coverage maps of a particular provider (indicating the number of cell towers). Look for the operator with the most towers in the area where you live or work.
   • If an operator offers tempting tariff plans, this does not mean that he will provide a high-quality connection. Choose a cheap tariff plan only if your provider guarantees a reliable connection.
   • If you travel a lot, choose an operator that provides you with national or international connectivity.
3. 3 Think about the speed of data transfer over mobile networks. It depends on the mobile operator. This parameter is important if you are going to use the mobile Internet.
   • Compare the data transfer rates of different operators (this information can be found on their official websites). Opt for an operator offering a higher data transfer rate (in kilobits per second).
   • Choose an operator that will allow you to transfer data using modern 3G or 4G technology, but remember that not all phones support these technologies.
4. 4 In many countries, the phone is sold with a contract (and tariff plan) for using the services of a particular cellular operator. If this is your case, choose your data plan carefully, as this will determine the phone model you can buy, the duration of your contract, and your monthly cellular costs. A pricing plan should include the services you need and should fit within your budget. Some of the more popular services are:
   • Free minutes: Think about the number of free minutes provided (monthly), the cost of paid minutes, and whether unused free minutes roll over to the next month. Some mobile operators offer unlimited calls during certain hours or days of the week, while others offer unlimited rates.
   • SMS messages: This is perhaps the most important service. Most cellular providers provide the ability to send a certain number (or even an unlimited number) of SMS messages for free. Be careful, as some providers charge a fee to open an SMS message.
   • Data transfer... Most providers limit the free amount of data transferred from 500 MB to 6 GB.
   • Voice mail: This is often a paid service, which is a kind of answering machine. Remember that when listening to your voicemail, you pay for every minute (or free minutes go away).
   • Caller ID: This is an important and demanded service that is provided by almost every cellular operator.
   • Contract: In some cases, you will have to sign a contract with an operator for 1-3 years. In this case, you can buy a phone at a discount or in installments (the payment term will stretch for the duration of the contract). Also, you will make fixed monthly payments and additionally pay for the use of certain services.
   • Family tariff plan: Choose this plan (if available) if everyone in your household uses cell phones. In this case, the operator will provide you with a large number of free minutes and SMS messages that all members of your family can use.
5. 5 Opt for a prepaid plan. Do this if you don't want to sign a long-term contract with a cellular operator or want to save money. But in this case, the following negative points are present:
   • You will have to pay the full price for the phone right away (but older phone models are quite cheap).
   • Even if you have chosen a reliable mobile operator, the quality of communication may not be so high, since the customers who have signed a contract with the company are more important for the provider.
   • Your service (as a customer) will not be up to par.

Part 2 of 3: Choosing a Phone

1. 1 If you are going to make calls and send messages, buy a basic cell phone. There is a wide variety of such phones, from candy bars to sliders.
   • The simplest mobile phone is very cheap. Some contracts offer these phones for free at all.
   • The simplest mobile phone is a very rugged device. Choose such a phone if you lead a very active lifestyle or if you drop your device frequently. Unlike the simplest phones, smartphones break very easily.
   • If you are an elderly person, then choose the simplest phone, as many of them are equipped with enlarged keys, which makes it easier to dial the phone number.
2. 2 Consider buying a smartphone. Smartphones are currently the most popular cell phones with touch screens, high-quality cameras, Wi-Fi and a variety of operating systems (OS). The most common operating systems are:
   • iOS: This system is easy to operate and has an excellent user interface; moreover, a huge number of applications and other content have been developed for this system. This system is designed for the average user who wants to watch videos, play games and chat with friends; application developers prefer other operating systems.
   • Android: This system is convenient for application developers and those users who prefer to customize the smartphone for themselves (the parameters of this system are very easy to change).
   • Windows: If you have your own business, choose a device running this system, as you will be able to work with popular programs such as Microsoft Office and Exchange. In this system, you can easily create and edit documents.
3. 3 Consider purchasing another device that you can use to make calls, such as a tablet or "pocket computer" (PDA or PDA). The popularity of PDAs is declining, but modern models (for example, Blackberry) will allow you to surf the Internet without having to pay extra for unnecessary functions that are present in smartphones. The tablet has a larger screen and improved performance (compared to a smartphone).

Part 3 of 3: Using your phone

1. 1 Create a contact list. To do this, collect the phone numbers of the right people. To view the list of contacts, open the Contacts application by clicking on the corresponding icon. To add a new contact, click on the "+" button. Enter a name and phone number, and then save the new contact. On a simple phone, just dial the number, open the menu and select the appropriate option to add that number to your contact list.
   • On some phones, favorite numbers, recent calls, contacts, keyboard and voicemail are displayed on separate tabs.
   • For information on how to add a phone number to your contacts list, read the documentation for your phone. Remember that the process for creating a new contact is different on Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile.
2. 2 To make a call, enter your phone number and press "Call" or "Call". In the vast majority of telephones, this button is denoted by a green handset symbol.
   • Press End or End to end the call. In the vast majority of telephones, this button is denoted by a red handset symbol. As a rule, the connection is disconnected automatically as soon as your interlocutor hangs up, but it is better to end the call yourself so as not to waste extra money (in case you have per-minute tariffication of calls).
   • To view missed or made calls, use the appropriate application (in a smartphone) or menu (in a simple phone). Information about who called you and when will be displayed, as well as options through which you can make a call or create a new contact.
3. 3 Set up your voicemail. To listen to your voicemail, press a specific button that is found in most phones. If you cannot find this button, press "1" on the keyboard. You will be prompted to create a password, speak your name, and record a greeting message.
   • If you do not want to record the greeting message, the system will use the embedded message; this will integrate your name into it.
   • You can change your password, name and greeting at any time. To do this, dial the voicemail number and follow the prompts of the answering machine.
   • When you receive a voice message, the smartphone will notify you about it (by signal or text on the screen). Dial the voicemail number or hold down "1" (on the keyboard) to listen to the voice message (before that you need to enter the password). Follow the instructions to either call the caller back, save the message, or delete it.
4. 4 Send an SMS by launching the Messages app and creating a new message. Alternatively, open your contact list, select a contact, open the menu and select the option that allows you to send an SMS message.
   • The simplest phones do not have a full-size keyboard (QWERTY keyboard), so a “predictive text” method called T9 is used to enter the text of the message.
   • You can download and install many messaging apps from your smartphone. These applications use either cellular networks or the Internet to send messages.
5. 5 Lock your keyboard or smartphone in case it is stolen or lost. Different smartphone models are blocked in different ways. For example, in iOS 8+ and iPhone 5+, you can unlock the screen after the device has read your fingerprints. Other devices require a password or four-digit code. To find out how to lock your phone model, read the documentation that came with it.
   • In the simplest phone, the keypad lock serves as a measure against accidental dialing of the phone number, and not against theft of the device. If you have a clamshell or slider, simply open the phone to unlock the keyboard. In the “candy bar” to unlock the keyboard / phone, press the “Menu” key (or another key indicated on the screen) and the “ *” (asterisk) key.
   • To detect your smartphone (if it is stolen), install the appropriate application on it.
6. 6 Connect to a Wi-Fi network. This cannot be done in the simplest telephones; in this case, use the mobile network of your cellular provider to surf the Internet. When connected to Wi-Fi, the mobile network is not used, so the free megabytes included in your tariff plan will not be consumed.
   • iPhone: Click "Settings" - "Wi-Fi". Turn on Wi-Fi and select a network from the list. If access to the network is protected by a password, enter it. Then click "Connect".
   • Android: Click "Applications" - "Settings". Turn on Wi-Fi and select a network from the list. If access to the network is protected by a password, enter it. Then click "Connect".
   • Windows: Swipe from right to left to open the list of applications. Click "Settings" - "Wi-Fi". Turn on Wi-Fi and select a network from the list. If access to the network is protected by a password, enter it. Then click Finish.
   • Once connected to a Wi-Fi network, the screen will display the corresponding symbol, which will replace the symbol "G" (this symbol means that you are using the mobile network of your cellular provider to surf the Internet).
7. 7 Download apps. Every new smartphone comes with pre-installed apps. You can also download them from the app store; to do this, open the store by clicking on the corresponding icon and find the application you need. You may need to create an account to download applications (in this case, follow the instructions on your smartphone screen).
   • iPhone: Applications are downloaded from the App Store; this requires an Apple ID.
   • Android: Apps are downloaded from the Google Play store.
   • Windows: Apps are downloaded from the Windows Store.
   • Some apps are paid. Therefore, enter the correct billing information in your account. Don't let other people use your smartphone or app download account. To protect against unwanted purchases, you must enter a password (when downloading paid applications).
   • Some applications have both free and paid versions (the paid version has advanced functionality).
   • You won't be able to download apps from app stores if you have a basic phone. These devices are sold with applications already installed (for example, games and audio players).
8. 8 Charge your phone battery regularly. To do this, connect it to an outlet or computer using a charger or cable. Every phone / smartphone has a battery indicator that lets you know when the battery is low. Some devices will remind you to charge the battery by sound or light.
   • Buy different chargers, such as a car charger and a stationary charger for your home audio system.

Tips

• Some mobile operators charge money for every minute you use your phone, for example, when you check your voicemail, or when you answer someone's call, or when you call someone who doesn't answer.
• If you are not using a phone, lock the keypad or set up automatic locking. Keypad lock means that certain keys must be pressed to use the phone. This is useful if your phone is stolen or to prevent accidental dialing (for example, when the phone is in your pocket or bag).

Warnings

• If you are going to sign a long-term contract, keep in mind that you will have to pay a fine to terminate it early.
• Do not drop your phone and keep it dry / wet to avoid damaging the device. Remember that physical damage is generally not covered under warranty.
• Do not use the phone while driving. In this case, either stop or use a headset that will allow you not only to answer calls, but also to make calls and even check messages.