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<table border="0" width="575" height="25"><tr><td colspan=2><H2>THE ACTIVE CONSUMER </H2><br><h2><P>Five Insider Secrets About Cell Phones<P><P><P> </h2></td></tr><tr><td>(NAPSI)-Not all cellular carriers are created equal. That's why it can pay to shop around before signing up for any particular service. But what may surprise you is that if you're unhappy with your cell service, you can change it-and that doing so is a lot easier than many people realize.<P> So if you're tired of hidden fees, overage charges, lengthy contracts and cancellation penalties, you may be interested in the following "did you know" information about cell phones and wireless carriers, compiled by Net10, a division of TracFone Wireless, Inc., the largest prepaid mobile phone service provider in the U.S.:<P> Myth: If you cancel your cell phone contract, you're subject to a cancellation fee of about $175.<P> Fact: Once you're past the initial due date of your contract, you can't be charged a cancellation fee. If your contract was for two years, at the end of those two years it automatically renews on a month-to-month basis, not for another two-year term.<P> Myth: Contract service plans are a better value than prepaid plans.<P> Fact: If you use less than 500 minutes per month, you're better off with a prepaid plan. At 10 cents per minute for a prepaid plan, 500 minutes costs $50. The average monthly contract costs as much as $68. Plus, if you go over your minutes on your contract plan, you can pay as much as 45 cents per minute additional. That can really add up.<P> Myth: If you switch to a prepaid plan, you can't take your phone number with you.<P> Fact: If you're already on a contract cell phone plan, you can move your current cell phone number to a prepaid plan with no penalty.<P> Myth: Users get better phone reception on a contract plan.<P> Fact: Reputable prepaid cell phone providers use the networks of major regional and national wireless carriers, giving them a vast national coverage area with the same quality of reception.<P> Myth: The only way to get the best phones is by signing a lengthy contract.<P> Fact: Top manufacturers such as Motorola, Nokia, Kyocera and LG now offer their top brand-name phones for prepaid plans.<P> If you're dissatisfied with your current cell phone contract, learn your rights and options. You may be surprised at what you discover. To learn more, visit www.no-evil.net.<P> <P> <P>Cell phone customers have many options-even if they've already signed a service contract.<P><P> </td><td width="100" valign="top"><a href="http://www.napsnet.com/articles/58970.gif"><img src="http://www.napsnet.com/articles/58970.gif"></a><br><a href="http://www.napsnet.com/pub/58970.zip">Download high-resolution, print_quality graphic and MS Word document</a><HR><BR><b>Word Count: 393</td></tr></table>