No-Contract Phone Plan: What Is It?
A no-contract phone plan is exactly what it sounds like: A cell phone plan that doesn’t require the user to commit to the brand for several years or more than the month-to-month period. Companies offer plans that replace traditional two-year commitments with prepaid or monthly plans, allowing you to opt-out without the hassle of paying an additional fee for breaking a contract.
A no-contract phone plan gives you the same flexibility as a prepaid phone, but you only have to worry about one monthly bill.
Features of No-Contract Phone Plans
- Data:
Most two-year contracts include unlimited talk, text, and data as standard features. However, few no-contract plans include unlimited data as part of the package. Determine how much data you use each month to choose the best data plan for your budget.
- No hidden costs:
Like your cable or Internet bill, your phone bill may include additional charges that increase the price, such as smartphone fees, taxes, and “other charges.” No-contract plans include such fees in the initial offer. So if they advertise $30 per month, you’ll pay precisely that amount without any hidden charges.
- No credit check:
Prepaid and no-contract phone plans typically don’t require credit checks, whereas traditional ones do. Prepaid plans eliminate the credit requirement because you pay for services before they are rendered, making them an appealing option for those with lower credit scores.
- Bring your device:
Some no-contract plans require you to buy a particular phone from them, whereas others allow you to bring your device, saving you money and the hassle of transferring your apps and data. Even if you get a no-contract plan from a non-major carrier, you need to ensure it’s compatible if you bring a device.
- Complete Coverage:
Review your plan’s specifications before committing. Most no-contract plans are operated by small or large businesses. This means, a customer typically has access to the parent networks’ full coverage.
Final Words
There are numerous advantages to no-contract plans. They are typically less expensive than the larger carriers but have access to the same networks. While some of these plans limit the devices you can use, others are far more permissive (as long as your phone has the required GSM or CDMA radios to talk to that network). If you can do the required research, such plans can save you a lot of money and hassle.
