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Making Sense of Cell Phone Calling Circles
One after another, cell phone carriers have been including calling circles in their cell phone plans. Here are the rules that surround each carrier so you can maximize your individual or family cell phone plan.
AT&T Mobility - A-List with Rollover
Recently introduced, A-List with Rollover is available on individual calling plans 900 minutes or better, and family cell phone plans with 1400 minutes or better. On individual plans, you can have up to five numbers, with family plans up to 10 numbers for the whole account to share. In addition, you get to keep your unused voice minutes (aka rollover), and you can change your A-List any time you wish, but it takes 24 hours for the new number to be added to your A-List.
If you have the right rate plan already, then you don't need to sign up or call AT&T. You do need to have an account set up at attwireless.com and then go to your profile tab, and select 'My A-List'. The process is completely self service, and calling customer care really isn't an option.
Sprint - Any Mobile, Any Time
The latest in the long string of calling circle addons, this really isn't an add on at all. All you need to do is have a Simply Everything plan with Sprint, and then you can call any mobile, any time.
While this seems simple, there are a couple of things that might make it easier for you to use this plan. First of all, when assigning contact numbers to people you know, make sure that mobile phones are filed appropropriately, not just 'Work' or 'Home'. That way, before you make that mega long call to mom who happens to be on Verizon, you're sure to call her mobile number. Secondly, if you're prone to roam, turn roaming off. This feature, as it lacks any number selection, only works on the Sprint Network. Place a call to your boyfriend's mobile phone while you're roaming, and it'll start ticking off your regular minutes.
T-Mobile - MyFaves (Prior to 10/25).
T-Mobile has had MyFaves for many years. If you've a MyFave plan, you can call up to five people without using your anytime minutes. MyFaves can be updated once per month, and are able to be used as soon as the phone's software updates. Each person on the account has their own five MyFaves.
Unfortunately, after 10/24/2009, you'll no longer have access to MyFave plans. If you have a MyFave plan, you can keep it as long as you like, however, once you move, then you can't go back on a MyFave plan.
So, what does this all mean for you? Probably nothing, if you're a current subscriber. If your rate plan is working for you, then don't rush off to spend more money simply because you can get five or ten numbers to call for free. However, these calling circles can go a long way to reducing your cell phone bill if you're on a higher rated plan. For examples, if you're on a Simply Everthing Unlimited plan with Sprint and you call a lot of mobile phones, then rush to lower your price plan to the least expensive Simply Everything Plan, saving you nearly $400 a year. Likewise, if you're on a 2100 minute plan with Verizon because of 10 or fewer off network phone numbers, you can move to a 1400 minute plan and save yourself nearly $250 a year.
Keep in mind that there is a limit to the numbers you can use as 'off network' numbers. Your voicemail number, toll free numbers, 900 and 975 numbers don't qualify for any calling circle plan.
Other than that, smile and dial.
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