It has been on your mind for a while and now you believe the time to be right to get a mobile phone of your own. A mobile phone is one of the best investments you can give yourself. Imagine having the convenience and peace-of-mind of making and receiving important calls anywhere you are, the numerous features and services which compliment your mobile and let's face it, the mobile will in essence become an extension of yourself and your unique personality. In this article, we will help guide you in choosing the mobile phone that best suits yourself and your individual lifestyle.
You must first consider how much money you are prepared to pay for your mobile phone while keeping in mind how it will enhance your lifestyle. You can purchase any brand or model of mobile phone and other devices like PDAs and Communicators which range in price from TT$200. to $4,000.
There are two types of mobile phones to choose from. They are as follows: TDMA and GSM
TDMA mobile phones allow voice calls and some basic data services like TSTT's Lingo (SMS) and other Value Added Services. These phones do not require a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card and therefore are ideal if you want to make and receive and send basic text messages.
GSM mobile phones and devices allow voice calls, enhanced Value Added Services (some handset dependent) and data services. These mobile phones use SIM cards, which are interchangeable chips that offer greater convenience when roaming and greater functionality when using mobile services and applications.
GSM phones are perfect if your lifestyle requires you to be away from the office or travel to foreign countries.
You should choose a mobile plan that you can afford and that best matches your needs and lifestyle.
Liberty Prepaid Package and E-Card
These services offer flexible payment terms and basic Value Added Services. This is perfect if you use your mobile phone to make and receive emergency calls and to send text messages. In addition, you have the freedom of managing your own accounts as these cards range from TT$20. to TT$200. (vat exclusive).
Connect Post-Paid Package
This is the TDMA post-paid mobile plan that offers packaged airtime minutes, four (4) free Value Added Services, free calls on Sundays and free Lingo messaging. This plan is ideal if you frequently make calls for pleasure and for business purposes. Connect Post-Paid packages range in price from TT$75. to TT$575.
Mpower Post-Paid Package
These are TSTT's GSM post-paid packages, which offers more airtime minutes (up to unlimited), per-second billing, five (5) Value Added Services, free Lingo messages and lower call charges. This plan is perfect if you use your mobile phone extensively and if you would like to use TSTT's mobile data services (coming in the near future).
Corporate Packages
TSTT's Corporate packages are available for Connect and mpower post-paid customers. These packages are designed for large corporations and other small to medium businesses. They offer great value: for as many as ten or more mobile phones can be in an account. With a low monthly rate and other benefits of free calls, free Lingo messages and six (6) free Value Added Services, these packages can make excellent business sense.
Mobile phones come with many features and offer different functions. For instance, if you want a mobile phone to simply make and receive calls and to send and receive text messages, you should choose a phone with this basic functionality.
However, if you want a feature rich mobile phone which gives you more functionality, look closely at the specifications of the mobile phones. GSM mobile phones tend to be more feature rich than TDMA mobile phones. For example, some GSM mobile phones come "fully loaded" SMS with advanced data capabilities, infrared, voice commands, voice recorder, colour screens, games and extended book capability. Other treats are mobile phones with cameras, video recorders, MP3 players and radios.
Additionally, some GSM devices like PDAs and Communicators give mobile phone users the flexibility to be mobile and stay connected to their office via the Internet using Circuit Switch Data (CSD) of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).
Style may or may not be important to you, but no one can argue that the mobile phone has become a fashion statement of sorts, a signature of one's lifestyle and a reflection of one's unique personality. Manufacturers of mobile phones are aware of this fact and have designed a variety of models for you to choose from. Mobile phones come in a range of colours, shapes, sizes and styles. Some have the basic features and function with a look of simple design while others are feature rich and very stylish. Therefore, style is also something worth considering when purchasing your mobile phone.
Whatever mobile phone you decide on will depend on a number of different factors, but what is quite clear is the fact that your mobile phone will offer you the independence and convenience of having your world in the palm of your hand.
Back to the You and Your Mobile Series
Products & Services