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Saying 'Hello' (or 'Good-bye') to friends, acquaintances, family, and associates can't be easier. You see people doing it everywhere. They're carrying on conversations using portable, pocketsize cellular phones. In some cases, they seem to be talking to themselves but they're not crazy. They are using a portable headset for completely hands-free conversation. Though several people now call them Wireless Phones, 'Cellular Phones' and 'Cell Phones' remain the more popular terms right now. Cellular is a form of network technology. It was developed for industrial use where communication was needed in very remote regions where setting up phone service was fairly impossible. The term 'cellular' referred to the many remote antennas that were needed to transmit a wireless signal, along a route, to a main telecommunication center. Current cell phones (as they're commonly called) still use similar systems. Cellular Phone Service Carriers (i.e. Sprint, VoiceStream, Verizon) create and maintain networks (groups) of cells (with antennas and repeaters) to allow a broad range of services to be accessed. Within these networks, cell phones communicate easily. Where there are no networks, the cell phone is virtually useless.

Using a cellular phone, you can reach virtually any phone on this planet and they can reach you. When a cell phone is activated, you're assigned a phone number that makes you accessible to anyone that uses a standard or cell phone.

Although there are still many areas where cellular service is unavailable, there are over 100 million users of cell phones and the numbers are climbing. Whether you use it for emergencies or for general communication, you can keep in touch almost anywhere. With many different types of service plans, service can be very affordable, too. Sometimes a real bargain!

Many communication companies offer cellular service. For the most part, services and price for services are somewhat similar. The most distinguishing aspect is the location and range of its network. Nearly every major city in the United States and Canada has a cellular communications network. As you leave the borders of the city and head for the suburbs and rural areas, you'll notice there are spots where your cellular phone may not work. The idea is to choose a carrier that provides the best service to your 'home' or 'working' area. There's also another thing to consider. Almost all current cell phones use digital technology but there isn't any specific standard of technology that's shared among the different carriers. There are four popular digital wireless technologies: CDMA (code-division multiple access), TDMA (time-division multiple access), and GSM (global system for mobile communication), PCS (personal communication service). A phone that is offered by a carrier is usually tuned to one of these technologies. If you choose Sprint as your carrier, you'll be using PCS. If you choose ATT, it's TDMA. If you choose T-Mobile, you've got GSM that also allows international use, which can be very handy if you frequently travel away from the United States. Most phones allow only one service to be used. In some cases, a phone may have 2 channel chips. This can allow an additional carrier to be added, if needed. Digital technology offers greater bandwidth than earlier analog methods. This means that there's more room for more calls to operate simultaneously. Conversations are far less likely to be corrupted by other signals. There is a less likely chance of your call being intercepted by someone else. There are also greater opportunities to integrate several options that enable your phone to be much more than a phone. We are an authorized dealer for T-Mobile, Nextel, Sprint, and Verizon cellular service carriers at our store.

In addition to phone use, virtually all carriers also offer optional email and Internet access features.

Current cellular phones (also referred as cell phones) tend to be more than just a mere communicator. Many models include a built-in digital camera, an MP3 music player, a phone book directory, a variety of customized alerts, integrated organizer features, and more. Many allow Internet and email access (using optional services provided by cellular service carriers. Some models may even receive and play video and TV programs.

There are, essentially, three different types of cellular phones:

1. All of the earlier cell phones were analog units. Since most of the country's cellular active areas were originally analog, you're able to use this phone almost anywhere where service was available. Unfortunately, the sound quality is not the sharpest. If you're looking for a very inexpensive, basic phone, there are a few entry level models that are still analog.
2. Digital cell phones are more efficient and have better signals. Standby and talk times are much longer than analog because digital signals require less battery power. A significant drawback is that some rural areas have not been upgraded for digital use so service may be patchy in certain parts of the country. As a result, some digital cell phones offer 2 to 4 service frequencies for flexible roaming when needed.
3. There is a group of cellular phones that are referred as Smart Phones. These phones incorporate a sophisticated organizer, sometimes with a touchscreen just like popular PDA handheld devices. These phones also allow easy access to email and Internet use, with optional service. These are all digital phones.

Virtually every cellular phone model has a jack for adding a headset. Several areas around the United States require use of a headset when talking on a cell phone. Several models offer Bluetooth, a wireless connection system, that lets you attach a wireless headset to your phone.

Every carrier offers a selection of service plans to meet virtually every need. Most plans require a contractual agreement of a year or more. While most require credit checks, some may offer prepayment plans. A typical plan may include a certain number of minutes of service during weekday business hours and (almost) unlimited minutes for nights and weekends. Many include regional or national long distance, call waiting and voice-mail as part of your service plan.

Though most plans are designed for one phone, more carriers are offering family plans where the numbers of available minutes are shared among 2 or more phones within a family. When one exceeds the allotted number of minutes, there is usually a fee added for each minute used.

A key issue in obtaining service activation is having a credit card number and a home address. For those people who do not qualify for this, service companies offer "pay as you go" arrangements by purchasing prepaid service cards.

One particular carrier, T-Mobile, offers GSM service. It stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. One of its great strengths is the international roaming capability. This gives consumers seamless and same number reachability in more than 170 countries. GSM satellite roaming has extended service access to areas where terrestrial coverage is not available.

Many offer wireless Internet access and email communication.

Many customers prefer getting optional batteries that hold more power than the one that comes with the phone. More powerful batteries, however, are also heavy and add overall carrying weight to the phone. Several different headsets are available. This permits hands-free conversation; there's no need to place the phone near your ear. It helps you concentrate on your conversation with greater comfort and mobility. Many different cases are available for carrying your phone. Some clip to your belt and offer protection when placed in a bag or purse. Many local areas are beginning to prohibit use of cellular phones while driving. It seems that people who hold a phone in one hand while steering with the other may lose attention while driving. This has been believed to be the cause of some road accidents. Some manufacturers have speakerphone adapters for use with certain phones. This enables hands-free conversation in the car without compromising control of your car.