Calculate How Much Mobile Data You"re Using by Curtis McCoy

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Below are some facts about what numbers we used to calculate how much mobile data you will use.

How This Tool Estimates Your Mobile Data Usage

The examples in the tool above provide a general guideline for data usage in each activity. A developer at Best Cellular created this tool to help you calculate how much mobile data you actually use each month. Simply go through each category and choose the amount of data to get an estimate of your mobile data usage needs.

How much mobile data does email use?

For this tool, we used the example of 1 email (with no attachments) using approximately 20KB of data. When you send 1 email (with standard attachments) you will use approximately 300KB of data. This estimate represents 50% of emails with no attachments and 50% of emails with attachments. If you"re sending emails with large images or larger attachments, you could use a lot more data.

How much mobile data do you need for web browsing?

The average web page reached 3MB in size as of 2017. Web browsing at an average rate uses about 75MB of data per hour. Note that this does not include video streaming or audio streaming. Many newer websites include video, audio, or other animated content which increases the size of each page.

How much data does social media use?

This calculation uses an average image size of 5.0MB. Video, audio, and high-definition images will consume more mobile data. Social media apps such as SnapChat or Instagram consume data at a much faster rate. SnapChat uses many gigabytes of data every month by itself. In fact, some Snapchat users report 75% of their cellular data consumed by SnapChat alone. (A recent BuzzFeed article shows screenshots where SnapChat used up over 13GB of data in a single month!) Another problem with these apps is that they burn up a lot of data without you noticing. They download friends" stories in the background, plus Live Stories and Discover content, which quickly drains your data.

How much data is used while streaming music?

Music streaming apps such as Spotify, Beats Music, & Google Play Music use up to 320kbps. This translates to 2.40MB per minute of audio or 115.2MB per hour. If you were to stream music for an eight hour work day, you"d burn through nearly 1.00GB of your mobile data. Streaming music over mobile data is not recommended. We suggest apps like YouTube Red which allow you to download music via WiFi.

How much data is used when streaming standard-definition video?

Standard-definition video streaming - 1 minute of streaming standard-definition video uses 11.7MB. This equates to 700MB per hour.

*Streaming video over mobile data is not recommended.

Does streaming HD-video use a lot of mobile data?

High-definition video streaming - 1 minute of streaming high-definition video uses 41.7MB. This equates to 2,500MB per hour.

*Streaming video over mobile data is not recommended.

How much mobile data does streaming 4K video use?

1 minute of streaming 4K video uses 97.5MB. This equates to 5,850MB per hour!

*Streaming video over mobile data is not recommended.

How much mobile data does online gaming use?

1 minute of playing an average online game uses 200KB. This equates to 12MB per hour. | *Connecting to WiFi before online gaming is recommended.

How much Mobile Data do Downloads and Updates use?

How much Mobile Data for downloading Apps and Games?

Apps and Games downloads can be anywhere from 1MB to 3.5GB (including the game download and extra files). We highly recommend using a WiFi connection to download or update games and apps. Keep in mind that many games on the Play Store or App Store only list the main application filesize, but will require game file updates or downloads after installation.

Should I use Mobile Data for System and Security Updates on iOS or Android?

The size of updates will vary depending on the device and supported OS. On the low end, iOS and Android devices need regular security updates around 250MB. For actual OS updates, downloads could be as large as 3GB on either platform. Best Cellular recommends a steady WiFi connection anytime you are updating your device. You want to ensure that there is no interruption during these important downloads. A mobile data connection can vary due to coverage fluctuations, which leads to corrupted files during large system and security downloads or updates.

DISCLAIMER: We designed our Mobile Data Calculator to give users an estimated monthly total of bandwidth usage. These values are examples based on average customers nationwide. Actual amounts of data transfer through an included activity can vary significantly.

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ROK Mobile Verizon Shutdown - Best Cellular

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2018

Media Statement

"ROK Mobile has decided not to move forward with utilizing Verizon Wireless service on our platform. Unfortunately, this has caused an inconvenience for our customers and since July 30^th we have been in the process of notifying them to port to a different carrier. Customers who are impacted may contact our customer support by email at support@rokmobile.com to discuss their account status. We will continue to support our other wireless carriers and those customers that are on that service."

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ripson Communications

Protect Your Phone Privacy

When it comes to phone privacy, you have to consider a lot. In order to protect your phone, you might think you need a smartphone antivirus app. But you can often fix smartphone privacy issues without the need for an extra app. so which mobile privacy apps work and which ones don’t? We’ll answer that question and a lot more as we discuss the best methods for protecting your phone privacy.

Set Up Your Smartphone Lock Screen

You might not want a lock screen on your smartphone. Opening your phone without an extra step is very convenient, but it also leaves your phone vulnerable. Sacrificing phone privacy for the sake of comfort is a dangerous trade-off. Without the security of a lock screen, anyone can pick up your phone and access your contacts, call history, or any other personal information. Smartphone privacy issues lead to consequences such as a high phone bill or even identity theft. Thankfully, there are several options to protect your phone with this security function.

• Swipe – As the most basic version of a screen lock, this offers nothing in terms of security. It only requires someone to swipe their finger across the screen in order to unlock the phone. Many apps for storing sensitive personal information will not work under only a Swipe lock.


• PIN – The easiest and most common form of smartphone security, a PIN screen lock requires someone to enter 4 or more digits correctly. You need to remember your PIN, so either make it a familiar number or store a copy in a safe place. Most phones also offer a limit on attempts before locking down the device, so thieves cannot simply try to guess your PIN.


• Pattern – Similar to the PIN, the Pattern requires successful entry of your chosen Pattern in order to unlock the device. The danger with this method is choosing the easiest pattern to swipe, which makes it very simple for someone to guess.


• Password – This security method is just like the PIN, but includes words or letters. You can use this option to set a very strong password on your device.


• Fingerprints – Many modern smartphones offer a Fingerprint unlock feature. All you have to do is scan your fingerprint(s) into the device, and no one else can unlock it. In addition, you can typically use it alongside a PIN or password. This allows you to unlock your device even if your fingers are dirty or you’re wearing gloves.


• Facial Recognition – Like the Fingerprint option, this locking method is unique to your person. However, many devices actually unlock with only a representation of your face. Verify that your device’s Facial Recognition is actually secure before using this method!

Best Cellular highly recommends that you set up a lock screen method for your phone. It prevents others from borrowing your phone and using up your mobile data. Additionally, it’s the first step towards keeping your personal information safe from thieves and scammers.

Avoid Suspicious Links or Ads

Many of the scams and spam we’ve come across stem from people tapping on an ad or link while browsing the internet. These ads work because they trick the user into thinking the ad will solve the exact problem that it creates. For example, you’re surfing a website and you get a popup that says something like this:

(2) virus have been detected on your Samsung Galaxy+S7

We have detected that your Samsung Galaxy+S7 has been infected with viruses. It will soon corrupt your sim card, data, photos, and contacts if no action is taken.

Then there is usually a timer below that to create a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, people fall for these types of ads all the time. Once you tap on the popup, the ad asks you to install a malicious app or browser extension under the guise that it will protect your phone. Then scammers can overwhelm you with more ads and notifications while they actually steal your data.

If you see a strange ad like this, do not click it! The easiest way to avoid these is to stay away from fishy sites where you see these types of ads. You can also use an updated ad-blocking browser like Brave. Google recently cracked down on sites serving this type of popup, punishing their rankings if the search engine detects these obnoxious ads. Your safest option with a popup is to hit the back button or the home button and close the app.

Be Careful About Installing Apps

With over 3.3 million apps on the Play Store and 3 million+ on the Apple App Store, there’s bound to be some bad apps lurking. As we mentioned above, scammers will use ads to trick you into installing an app for spying or holding your phone ransom. Thankfully, you can easily protect your phone from malicious apps just by paying attention. Here are the simplest ways to protect your phone privacy and avoid unwanted apps.

• Games – Many game apps use ad-supported platforms, which means they get their revenue from serving up ads to you. If you get a “free” game, chances are they are only free because you are the product. Advertisers are willing to pay good money for you as an audience, which is great news for game developers. While you may normally see ads that are relevant and unobtrusive, some of the more greedy app developers will stoop to those annoying popups or persistent notifications. You can get rid of these ads by removing the offending game or buying the paid version, if available.


• App Access Permissions – Pay close attention to the Permissions requested by a new app. Does that flashlight app really need access to your microphone? How about the app for your favorite sandwich shop asking to see your contacts? If you see any red flags, reconsider installing that app. Smartphone privacy issues often arise from an app accessing information it does not need.


• Check Installed Apps – If you check your installed apps often, you can see if a malicious or unwanted app has been installed. Protect your phone privacy (and save storage space) by removing unnecessary apps.


• Unknown Sources – On Android devices, you can flip a switch under Settings>Security>Unknown sources. This allows you to install apps that are not officially approved by Google. Unless you’re very familiar with the APK you want to install (and the developers behind it), leave this turned off. For iOS devices, installing unauthorized apps requires technical developer knowledge, so you won’t need to worry about that.

Security and Antivirus Apps

Best Cellular recommends that there is no need for extra security apps or antivirus apps. All that these mobile privacy apps do is serve up their own ads, sap your battery life, and take up storage space. While antivirus for your Windows desktop is a good idea, it simply is not necessary on an Android or iOS smartphone. That is due to the difference in operating systems. Smartphones require apps to ask the end-user for permissions at the point of installation or when accessing for the first time. If you pay attention to the messages on your device, you will avoid any unwanted spam.

Find My iPhone/Find My Device

Both Apple and Google have created a way for you to locate, lock, or wipe your device remotely. However, these highly useful services must be set up in order to do you any good!

To use Find My Device, your lost device must:

• Be turned on


• Be signed in to a Google Account


• Be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi


• Be visible on Google Play


• Have Location turned on


• Have Find My Device turned on

In other words, if you don’t set up this amazingly useful service ahead of time it will not help you. It takes just a few minutes to prepare, and we highly recommend that you invest the time to set up either Find my iPhone or Find My Device on your smartphone.

Back Up Your Phone

Another simple but effective tip is to regularly back up your phone. Whether you use the official Android/iOS service, a 3rd-party app, or plug in your phone to a PC you should back up your files. That way if the worst thing happens and you lose your smartphone or it gets stolen, you can easily recover all of your information. This also means that wiping the phone remotely is a much easier choice to make.

Protect Your Phone Privacy When Browsing the Web

There are multiple ways for attackers to get your information online. Ads and apps are avoidable, but you also need to be careful of open WiFi to protect your phone privacy. Public Wi-Fi internet traffic is unencrypted, which means that anyone can see your data. So how do you protect your phone privacy when you want to save data by using WiFi?

Only Use Trusted and Secure Networks

Public WiFi is dangerous, but if you use a password-secured connection you can minimize the risks. Make sure the WiFi you use is a low-traffic network, as the fewer people know the password the better. Even “secure” networks with a lot of users run the risk that someone can fish for your data.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The easiest way to protect your phone privacy on open networks is by using a VPN. What is a VPN? It basically reroutes all of your internet traffic through another, more secure network before sending it to your destination. Since your internet usage is encrypted, anyone listening in on an open WiFi connection cannot read your data. A VPN may slow down your internet usage slightly. We recommend using a respected, paid VPN service since any “free” VPNs are almost always a scam to sell your data. Services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN have mobile apps to make their VPNs easy to use on any device.

The Onion Routing (TOR)

Imagine you’re in a vehicle and someone is following you. How do you shake the tail?  You run a highly complicated route through multiple neighborhoods, and more than likely they will lose you along the way. This is basically how the Tor network operates. Your internet usage becomes anonymized by routing through multiple “nodes” and is almost impossible to track. Like a VPN, this method slows down your internet speed.

These are just a few of the many ways you can protect your phone privacy. Smartphone privacy issues are important, and if you don’t want your personal data just floating around in cyberspace, take these simple measures to protect your phone. Do you have any extra tips or tricks for your own phone privacy? Let us know at 970-549-2378 or use the Live Chat feature below!

Protect Your Phone Privacy

When it comes to phone privacy, you have to consider a lot. In order to protect your phone, you might think you need a smartphone antivirus app. But you can often fix smartphone privacy issues without the need for an extra app. so which mobile privacy apps work and which ones don’t? We’ll answer that question and a lot more as we discuss the best methods for protecting your phone privacy.

Set Up Your Smartphone Lock Screen

You might not want a lock screen on your smartphone. Opening your phone without an extra step is very convenient, but it also leaves your phone vulnerable. Sacrificing phone privacy for the sake of comfort is a dangerous trade-off. Without the security of a lock screen, anyone can pick up your phone and access your contacts, call history, or any other personal information. Smartphone privacy issues lead to consequences such as a high phone bill or even identity theft. Thankfully, there are several options to protect your phone with this security function.

• Swipe – As the most basic version of a screen lock, this offers nothing in terms of security. It only requires someone to swipe their finger across the screen in order to unlock the phone. Many apps for storing sensitive personal information will not work under only a Swipe lock.


• PIN – The easiest and most common form of smartphone security, a PIN screen lock requires someone to enter 4 or more digits correctly. You need to remember your PIN, so either make it a familiar number or store a copy in a safe place. Most phones also offer a limit on attempts before locking down the device, so thieves cannot simply try to guess your PIN.


• Pattern – Similar to the PIN, the Pattern requires successful entry of your chosen Pattern in order to unlock the device. The danger with this method is choosing the easiest pattern to swipe, which makes it very simple for someone to guess.


• Password – This security method is just like the PIN, but includes words or letters. You can use this option to set a very strong password on your device.


• Fingerprints – Many modern smartphones offer a Fingerprint unlock feature. All you have to do is scan your fingerprint(s) into the device, and no one else can unlock it. In addition, you can typically use it alongside a PIN or password. This allows you to unlock your device even if your fingers are dirty or you’re wearing gloves.


• Facial Recognition – Like the Fingerprint option, this locking method is unique to your person. However, many devices actually unlock with only a representation of your face. Verify that your device’s Facial Recognition is actually secure before using this method!

Best Cellular highly recommends that you set up a lock screen method for your phone. It prevents others from borrowing your phone and using up your mobile data. Additionally, it’s the first step towards keeping your personal information safe from thieves and scammers.

Avoid Suspicious Links or Ads

Many of the scams and spam we’ve come across stem from people tapping on an ad or link while browsing the internet. These ads work because they trick the user into thinking the ad will solve the exact problem that it creates. For example, you’re surfing a website and you get a popup that says something like this:

(2) virus have been detected on your Samsung Galaxy+S7

We have detected that your Samsung Galaxy+S7 has been infected with viruses. It will soon corrupt your sim card, data, photos, and contacts if no action is taken.

Then there is usually a timer below that to create a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, people fall for these types of ads all the time. Once you tap on the popup, the ad asks you to install a malicious app or browser extension under the guise that it will protect your phone. Then scammers can overwhelm you with more ads and notifications while they actually steal your data.

If you see a strange ad like this, do not click it! The easiest way to avoid these is to stay away from fishy sites where you see these types of ads. You can also use an updated ad-blocking browser like Brave. Google recently cracked down on sites serving this type of popup, punishing their rankings if the search engine detects these obnoxious ads. Your safest option with a popup is to hit the back button or the home button and close the app.

Be Careful About Installing Apps

With over 3.3 million apps on the Play Store and 3 million+ on the Apple App Store, there’s bound to be some bad apps lurking. As we mentioned above, scammers will use ads to trick you into installing an app for spying or holding your phone ransom. Thankfully, you can easily protect your phone from malicious apps just by paying attention. Here are the simplest ways to protect your phone privacy and avoid unwanted apps.

• Games – Many game apps use ad-supported platforms, which means they get their revenue from serving up ads to you. If you get a “free” game, chances are they are only free because you are the product. Advertisers are willing to pay good money for you as an audience, which is great news for game developers. While you may normally see ads that are relevant and unobtrusive, some of the more greedy app developers will stoop to those annoying popups or persistent notifications. You can get rid of these ads by removing the offending game or buying the paid version, if available.


• App Access Permissions – Pay close attention to the Permissions requested by a new app. Does that flashlight app really need access to your microphone? How about the app for your favorite sandwich shop asking to see your contacts? If you see any red flags, reconsider installing that app. Smartphone privacy issues often arise from an app accessing information it does not need.


• Check Installed Apps – If you check your installed apps often, you can see if a malicious or unwanted app has been installed. Protect your phone privacy (and save storage space) by removing unnecessary apps.


• Unknown Sources – On Android devices, you can flip a switch under Settings>Security>Unknown sources. This allows you to install apps that are not officially approved by Google. Unless you’re very familiar with the APK you want to install (and the developers behind it), leave this turned off. For iOS devices, installing unauthorized apps requires technical developer knowledge, so you won’t need to worry about that.

Security and Antivirus Apps

Best Cellular recommends that there is no need for extra security apps or antivirus apps. All that these mobile privacy apps do is serve up their own ads, sap your battery life, and take up storage space. While antivirus for your Windows desktop is a good idea, it simply is not necessary on an Android or iOS smartphone. That is due to the difference in operating systems. Smartphones require apps to ask the end-user for permissions at the point of installation or when accessing for the first time. If you pay attention to the messages on your device, you will avoid any unwanted spam.

Find My iPhone/Find My Device

Both Apple and Google have created a way for you to locate, lock, or wipe your device remotely. However, these highly useful services must be set up in order to do you any good!

To use Find My Device, your lost device must:

• Be turned on


• Be signed in to a Google Account


• Be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi


• Be visible on Google Play


• Have Location turned on


• Have Find My Device turned on

In other words, if you don’t set up this amazingly useful service ahead of time it will not help you. It takes just a few minutes to prepare, and we highly recommend that you invest the time to set up either Find my iPhone or Find My Device on your smartphone.

Back Up Your Phone

Another simple but effective tip is to regularly back up your phone. Whether you use the official Android/iOS service, a 3rd-party app, or plug in your phone to a PC you should back up your files. That way if the worst thing happens and you lose your smartphone or it gets stolen, you can easily recover all of your information. This also means that wiping the phone remotely is a much easier choice to make.

Protect Your Phone Privacy When Browsing the Web

There are multiple ways for attackers to get your information online. Ads and apps are avoidable, but you also need to be careful of open WiFi to protect your phone privacy. Public Wi-Fi internet traffic is unencrypted, which means that anyone can see your data. So how do you protect your phone privacy when you want to save data by using WiFi?

Only Use Trusted and Secure Networks

Public WiFi is dangerous, but if you use a password-secured connection you can minimize the risks. Make sure the WiFi you use is a low-traffic network, as the fewer people know the password the better. Even “secure” networks with a lot of users run the risk that someone can fish for your data.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The easiest way to protect your phone privacy on open networks is by using a VPN. What is a VPN? It basically reroutes all of your internet traffic through another, more secure network before sending it to your destination. Since your internet usage is encrypted, anyone listening in on an open WiFi connection cannot read your data. A VPN may slow down your internet usage slightly. We recommend using a respected, paid VPN service since any “free” VPNs are almost always a scam to sell your data. Services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN have mobile apps to make their VPNs easy to use on any device.

The Onion Routing (TOR)

Imagine you’re in a vehicle and someone is following you. How do you shake the tail?  You run a highly complicated route through multiple neighborhoods, and more than likely they will lose you along the way. This is basically how the Tor network operates. Your internet usage becomes anonymized by routing through multiple “nodes” and is almost impossible to track. Like a VPN, this method slows down your internet speed.

These are just a few of the many ways you can protect your phone privacy. Smartphone privacy issues are important, and if you don’t want your personal data just floating around in cyberspace, take these simple measures to protect your phone. Do you have any extra tips or tricks for your own phone privacy? Let us know at 970-549-2378 or use the Live Chat feature below!

- Best Cellular

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Test Your Connection Speed - Check Internet Speed and Get Faster Data

Your coverage and data speed can greatly affect your mobile phone experience. However, testing your connection speed is a bit easier than you might think, and gives you the information you need to get faster data or more reliable internet. Let’s get into some of the details for how to test your internet connection speed. If you already know how to test data speed, you can skip down to the section about interpreting your results or look into getting a better signal.

Before You Test Your Internet Speed

Check your connection under Settings. If you are hooked into a WiFi network, you will be testing that connection’s speed. In order to check your mobile data speed, you want to turn WiFi off. That way you can test data speed for your carrier by itself. Normally we recommend WiFi over mobile data, but don’t worry about saving data with these tests. they typically send and receive only small amounts of data in order to complete the test.

Test Your Connection Speed In Your Browser

First up, we’ll give you some recommendations for using your device’s built-in browser to check internet speed. This way, you won’t have to add anything extra or configure any settings.

Search Engine Speed Test

• Google – Simply search for, “speed test” or a similar variation. Google will show you an option as the first result. You just tap on Run Speed Test and let it do its thing! Details include Download and Upload times, Latency, and the location of the server used for the test.


• Bing – Same process here, you just type “speed test” and Bing will pop up a widget with a Start button. Bing shows you Ping, Download, and Upload times. Your IP address also displays at the top of the page.

Websites for Testing Your Data Speed

Best Cellular has tested the following websites to make sure they work on a mobile browser. Many of the speed test sites online are designed for desktop browsers, so this is an important feature to check! However, please keep in mind that these are 3rd-party websites and most of them use ads to support their hosting costs. As such, be very careful what links you follow.

Also note, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) might have their own speed test link, but unfortunately many of these have been shown to be unreliable. Companies have been found to inflate speed results for IP’s under their own umbrella! For testing your speeds, you want to use a 3rd-party tool since they usually will not have any interest in showing you altered results.

• Bandwidthplace.com – This site has a working mobile version. After you hit Start, the page shows you Download, Upload, and Ping times. Alongside that info, you can see the server location, your IP, and your Internet Service Provider (this may be a local division of a national carrier, so search the name if it doesn’t match your actual ISP or mobile carrier).


• Speedof.Me – Here you can get the usual Up/Down Speeds and Latency, IP and test server. But one of the nice things about Speedof.me is that they include the date alongside your output. This makes screenshots much more helpful, since you can forward one image that includes your speeds with the timestamp and date.


• Fast.com – The most unique thing about Fast.com is that there is no “start” button to press. As soon as the page loads, it begins to test data speed. The site is run by Netflix, so its purpose is mainly to find out whether your viewing experience might be lagging due to your ISP. They also include a link to speedtest.net, in case you want to compare the findings with a second opinion.


• TestMy.net – TMN is another site to find your internet speed with particular options. You can select Download Test, Upload Test, or Combined to check internet speed. They also include some information about their results and policies right on the page.


• Speedtest.net – Unfortunately, this site does not work within the browser on mobile. Ookla, the company who runs the website, does have an app which we’ll describe below. However, they do not display the testing function on their mobile site within your browser.

Find Your Internet Speed With An App

If you find yourself checking your internet speeds often, you might want to try one of these apps. Most are designed to give you a reading directly from your phone’s hardware. This usually means more accurate test results than using a site through the browser. Please note, many of these apps will require access to your location settings in order to give you more accurate results.

• Speedtest by Ookla (Android/iOS/Windows) – Ookla runs Speedtest.net, one of the most popular sites used to check internet speed on desktops. Although this is also among the top speed test apps, when testing we received the message “Please Note: While Speedtest will work on your device, it’s best viewed on a larger screen.” Since the testing device has a display larger than 5 inches, we’re not sure quite how big they want the screen to be. The app shows you the standard test results, along with your test history and a coverage map based on aggregated testing through Ookla (similar to the coverage maps generated by OpenSignal).


• Meteor: Free Internet Speed & App Performance Test by OpenSignal.com (Android/iOS) – OpenSignal designed and developed this app, which offers a comprehensive amount of information about your connection. They also integrated a walkthrough assistant called Message Monster that gives you tips on how to use the app, since it can get overwhelming to look at so much data all at once. This app also logs test result history for comparisons and includes a map to show your previous testing locations.


• FCC Speed Test by FCCAPPs (Android/iOS) – Yes, you read that right. The FCC has an official app to test your connection speed. Be forewarned, you will have to skip through (or actually read) several screens with the Terms of Service and Licensing info. While the UI might be barebones, the app functions quite well. One great feature is the ability to set a limit on how much data in MB you will allow the app to use for automatic testing throughout a given month.

What Does My Internet Speed Mean?

Interpreting your results for any of these tools can seem complicated at first. Fortunately, we can help you out! Here’s a quick breakdown of the numbers you might see in an internet speed test:

• Download – Measured in Mbps (Megabits per second), this number is the speed at which your device is downloading data from the testing server. This speed affects your page load times or video and audio buffering. Higher numbers mean a faster connection.


• Upload – Also Mbps, the Upload shows you how quickly your sent data is traveling to the testing server. Higher is better here as well, but it is not quite as important for regular browsing as Download speed. This rate will impact sending emails or messages through an online service (like Facebook Messenger or Google Hangouts).


• Ping/Latency – Ping shows how many ms (milliseconds) it takes for your connection to react. It differs from Download speed, but reflects how quickly your request to a server is received and interpreted. Latency changes your experience with mobile games and other realtime online services. Lower numbers are better for latency/ping.


• Jitter – This factor is related to Ping/Latency. Jitter shows you the response time’s variation from one Ping to the next. Lower scores are better for Jitter, since that means a stable connection.


• Packet Loss – Unfortunately, not every bit of data you send across a network reaches the intended destination. Packet loss occurs due to many factors, including realtime network congestion or even hardware failing somewhere along the chain. The fewer packets lost, the better. That means less time and retries for your device to get your requested information.


• Testing Server – This indicates the location of the nearest testing server your app or service is using to find your internet speed. The closer the server is, the better results you will get. It also factors in when you are running multiple tests to check internet speed over time. You want to ensure the same location for the server to get an accurate test for comparison.


• IP Address – Your IP address (Internet Protocol Address) uniquely identifies your device online. Like the Testing Server, you want to use the same IP if you are comparing speed test results. Also note, on mobile data your IP should remain the same. If you use WiFi to test your connection speed, the IP address may occasionally refresh to a new one. Alternatively, your public IP will likely reflect the wireless router you use to connect, but not your own device.

After using this guide to test data speed, you might see that your carrier isn’t giving you the speeds they promised. If you are looking for more information on how to get faster data, give Best Cellular a call! You can also use the Live Chat button to message a US-based customer service specialist.

How To: Transfer Your Data from One Phone to Another

So you bought a used phone. Now you"re thinking, "How do I transfer everything to my new phone?" You need to get all of your contacts, emails, messages, apps, and other personal info onto the new device. Thankfully, there are many solutions available to help you transfer your data. We"ll discuss some of those options here.

Bluetooth Your Contacts

Bluetooth is the tried-and-true method of transferring your contacts from an old device to a new one. In fact, it used to be the only way! You need to pair the devices first, through the Bluetooth menu under Settings. Then, use the Share function in your phone gallery, contact list, etc. and choose Export/Send Via Bluetooth. You will need to confirm on the new phone that you will accept the files, then watch them download themselves. Please note that with this method, you need to open contact files (.vcf) manually in order to save them into your contact list.

Customer Service Can Move Your Files

For many carriers, they will move your files from one device to another for a fee. They may also have a carrier-specific backup app or service, which may or may not come with another monthly fee. Here at Best Cellular, we want to make sure you are pleased with your device. That"s why we find the quickest and easiest way to move your data and take care of it for you! Otherwise, we can send you a walkthrough if you can"t stop by a store. True customer service will not charge you for such a simple task which is integral to using your new device.

Apps and Services to Help You Transfer Files

Your Manufacturer"s Service

Your phone manufacturer may have created a tool specifically for moving personal data from one phone to another. Usually, we only recommend using one of these if you are swapping for another model from the same company since they are designed with this in mind. Each one will have their own steps for setup and transfer.

Some of these apps include the following:

• Samsung SmartSwitch


• LG Mobile Switch


• HTC Transfer Tool


• Motorola Migrate

FotoSwipe

This nifty app easily transfers everything from your images and videos to documents and music! Basically, you install the app on both devices first. Then, open the app on both phones and lay them next to each other. This app uses Bluetooth and WiFi Direct to synchronize your files. Last, you simply drag and drop the file you wish to move from one screen to another. If you have multiple files to transfer, use the multi-select option. The app typically asks for a confirmation to make sure you are moving the files to the right phone. Their service provides cross-platform support on Android, iOS, and on their website. FotoSwipe does not set a file size limit, and you can move any filetype you desire. Best Cellular has used this app more than once to help a customer transfer their data.

Android/iOS backups

Both Google Drive (Android) and Apple iCloud (iOS) have fairly comprehensive backup options available. Please note, these systems must be turned on and synced before you attempt to move the data to a new device.

How To Set Up iCloud for Apple iOS Devices:

• Update Your System Software - This is usually the top recommendation for iPhones for a reason. Apple runs security and performance patches through their iOS updates, which are integral to make sure your phone runs smoothly and backs up everything properly.


• Log In To iCloud - Go to Settings > Apple ID and log in to your iTunes/iCloud account. If you don"t have one, you will need to set it up. After that, the system will automatically turn on iCloud.


• Check the iCloud Backup Options - Go to Settings > (Your Name) > iCloud. Make sure that all of the content types are checked if you want a backup.


• Manual Backup - If you need to, under the iCloud menu tap on iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. This will create a forced backup of all your content at the moment, instead of waiting for everything to sync over time.


• On the New Device - During set up, you will be asked to log into iTunes/iCloud and whether you want to restore a previous device. If you choose to, connect to WiFi first, then your new phone will download your content for you.

How to Set up Drive for Google Android Devices:

• Update Your System Software and Apps - Android devices need to be on the latest compatible version of Android as soon as possible. Also, be sure to check out your Apps for any updates. This will be important in a moment when we back up their settings.


• Turn On Google Backups - Open Settings > Personal > Backup & Reset. Turn on both Backup My Data and Automatic Restore. You may be asked to log into a Gmail/Google account in order to continue if you haven"t already.


• Turn On App Sync - Open Settings > Personal > Accounts. Tap on the Google entry, then your Gmail account. If you have more than one on the device, choose the account you wish to use for app synchronization. Then, check the list to make sure every item is turned on. this will keep your app settings and info backed up.


• If you wish to see a backup, you can open the Google Drive App and go to the Menu > Backups. You will see any device backups, and you can tap on them for further details. You can also delete any backups you want to permanently remove.


• On Your New Device - The device"s set up will prompt you if you wish to restore a previous Google backup. After you sign in to your account, you will have the option to import a previous backup from your Google Drive.

Save Phone Space With Google Photos Backup

Google created a great service a few years ago called Google Photos. This handy app uses your Gmail account login to store your media (both photos and videos) and transfer files to another device. One upside is that if you use their service you can remove the local files from your device after backup. That way your media are saved by Google and you free up some storage! If you"ve run this app on your old device, simply download it and log in on the new one to see your photos.

Can you forward text messages?

Many people ask us "How do I forward all text messages from one phone to another?" when they swap devices. For Android users on Oreo or later, this is included in the Google Backups mentioned earlier. Phones on iOS also include SMS/MMS and iMessage backup through iCloud. For everyone else, you will need to download and use a 3rd-party app for SMS backup. However, we cannot fully endorse or support any of these apps as they are from independent developers. In other words, use them at your own risk!

Here are a few suggestions:

• SMS Backup+ (Jan Berkel)


• SMS Backup & Restore (SyncTech Pty Ltd)


• Super Backup & Restore (MobileIdea Studio)


• SMS BackUp! (Jerry Zigo)


• SMS Backup (Red Sheep Labs)

That"s it! If you have a favorite method for backups or data transfer, let us know - you can always call Best Cellular at 9705492378 or use the Live Chat box below.

What Should I Know When Buying A Used Phone? by Sam

At many of our physical locations nationwide, we buy and sell used phones. Here we"d like to help those shopping for a used phone or looking to sell a used phone. You have to consider many things when buying used phones, and this list will help you evaluate used phones you come across. Do not pay money for a used phone before following these steps.

What To Do Before Buying a Used Phone

Swappa ESN Check

This is the first thing we do to evaluate a used phone. Swappa runs an online person-to-person marketplace, so they created a solution for verifying whether an ESN is clean or not. The Swappa system checks an ESN or IMEI against nationwide databases. You can use the ESN, IMEI, or MEID (HEX or DEC) for verification. If a device shows up on a blacklist or whitelist from one of the major carriers, this checker will tell you. The carriers maintain these lists to track devices which have been reported as lost and/or stolen. They also list phones that still need to be paid off through a financing program.

Using the Swappa ESN Check ensures that you can safely proceed with a purchase or avoid buying an expensive paperweight! If you buy or sell used phones, a tool like the Swappa ESN Check can save you a lot of money and headaches. Keep in mind that you can only do up to 10 free ESN checks within a 24-hour period. An alternative tool is the Check ESN Free website.

Evaluate the Condition

For used devices, some wear-and-tear is natural and to be expected. However, it"s a matter of personal preference what you"re willing to accept. A few things to note here:

• A cracked screen - Small cracks are probably not a big deal. But remember, any crack is a weakness in the screen. They can easily spiderweb or shatter if they receive a mild drop or bump. Ask around for the cost of repair to that specific model.


• Scrapes and scratches - The body of the phone might look ugly, but see if it"s structurally sound. You might be able to get a good deal just from a dirty device! A little elbow grease typically makes a grubby phone look fairly new. If nothing else, you could pop it into a new case and never see any ugly abrasions.


• Look under the hood - If you can, pull the battery and check the trays for both the SIM card and SD card. Hold off on your purchase if any springs or clips are busted. Trust us, it"s very difficult to reattach those tiny parts! Also, make sure the water damage indicators have not been wet. You should see small crosshatching (X"s or +"s) if the phone has stayed dry. Otherwise, they"ll be smudged and red in color. If that"s the case, you never know what kind of damage transferred to the internal circuits - steer clear.

Factory Reset the Phone

Once you"ve established that the phone"s ESN is "clean" you need to Factory Reset the device or verify that the seller has done so. This accomplishes several important things:

• A Factory Reset clears any and all previous personal data and files off of the device.


• Once the phone reboots, you should see an activation screen. An iCloud lock or Google account lock on the screen means that you will need the password from the original user. If your seller cannot provide that information, it is probably a stolen device!


• Check for a screen lock, whether it"s a pattern or PIN. If the phone is locked and you cannot perform a factory reset, do not buy it. Again, the seller will have that PIN or pattern unlock unless the phone is not theirs to sell.

Check the Phone Carrier Eligibility

The next thing you should do is make sure that the phone you want to buy is eligible to activate on your carrier. At BestCellular.com we use multiple carriers, so if you call in with your ESN we can help you find the right one for your device. Most of the major carriers have BYOD eligibility checkers on their website. However, some of our customers have reported that these tools are not always up to date. Other sources online say that they may not actually run a proper check, but are used as a sales tool to bring customers into retail stores. Once inside, a sales rep will claim that the BYOD is ineligible and sell you a new phone off the shelf. All of that to say, check with your current carrier before buying!

Test the Phone"s Charging Port and Battery

Your typical used phone seller doesn"t provide a charger, so you should bring an extra one with you. That way, you can plug in the phone before you buy to make sure the charging port is good. Also, use this opportunity to verify that the battery is charging. You may not have the time to reach 100% but if you leave it plugged in and the battery has not charged at all, you may want to move on to another deal. Alternatively, if the battery is removable, pull it out and check for swelling or water damage. Any of these issues could give you the leverage you need to save some money! (While a bad battery can be a poor user experience, remember that batteries are a cheap replacement to buy online.)

This may seem like a lot to do, but it is really the only way to avoid a lemon when buying used phones. Any seller who is unwilling to go through these basic checks is likely trying to pawn off a lost, stolen, or financed device and make a quick buck. Don"t fall for anyone who pressures you to skip these checks!

What To Do After Buying a Pre-Owned Phone

Connect Your Phone to WiFi and Upgrade Your Operating System

Even if you haven"t had the chance to activate the device, connecting to a WiFi connection is a great idea. You can login to your Google or iCloud account and start downloading your apps. That way you can test drive your phone! However, before your apps, we recommend checking for a system OS update. For iPhones in particular, this will resolve a lot of issues right out of the gate. It also provides your device with the latest enhancements for performance and security. A good WiFi connection will save your data when updating your OS.

Activate Your Used Phone

As soon as possible, activate your used phone purchase. Unfortunately, people will try another scam if you don"t. They can sell you a perfectly good phone, then turn around and report it as lost or stolen. That way their carrier or insurance sends them a newer replacement, but you"re out a phone! Activate the phone right away so the phone is relisted in the carrier"s database as an active device. They will not deactivate or blacklist the device without your permission.

Another essential thing to do after buying a pre-owned phone: Update your device Profile and PRL (if you activated through a Sprint/PCS carrier). Your phone will receive the latest tower location updates and carrier settings, which gives you the best possible signal.

Phone a Friend

Placing a call with your newly active purchase will confirm a few things. First off, you can make sure that the phone is actually working! Call a friend or family member and ask them if they can hear you properly. Be sure to check the speakerphone as well, and turn your volume up to a comfortable level. Then, have them call you back. This gives you a chance to hear the ringer and also see if the vibration level is strong enough. It is a phone, after all, and you want to be able to use it!

Send a Text

This might seem like another no-brainer, but you need to check that the device will send and receive texts. Give your new number (if you got one) out to your friends and ask them to respond if they get the message. You can also test MMS as a group message or attach a picture.

Take a Picture

See if the camera works. You"ll want to get more than one photo, facing into both brightly lit and dark areas. Take a few selfies! You can send your snaps through MMS to test that service or post them on social media. Get some outside opinions on how they look and compare with and without the flash. If there are any cracks or scrapes on the lens, even if they"re tiny, you"ll find out.

Get Online

Turn off your WiFi connection and open up Facebook, Twitter, or your Chrome browser. You want to check network coverage and speed for your mobile data. At this point, you might be thinking it"s a bit of a chore buying used phones, but you can"t be too careful! We have seen countless used devices that work just fine right up until you get online, due to internal damage to the cellular antenna from pressure or water. Since mobile data is a key feature for smartphones, this is an essential test.

Remove All That Bloatware

Take a few minutes to lighten up your phone. Carriers like to preinstall all sorts of useless apps due to licensing and advertising agreements. Most of the time, you will not need these apps at all and they are safe to uninstall or disable. This especially applies when buying a used phone, since you are likely switching carriers from the previous owner.

Set Up Your Voicemail

Last but certainly not least, change your voicemail carrier settings to your liking. Usually, you can just hold down the "1" key on the dialer, and follow the prompts. This is an important step but often overlooked. Many carriers reset your voicemail settings even when you switch devices onto the same account. Skipping this step means you"ll miss calls and whoever tries to get ahold of you cannot leave a message. Even if you don"t regularly check your voicemail messages, ensure the system is activated so people can reach you.

Save Data

We mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating. You can save a lot of money on your monthly cell phone bill when you cut down on your data. That"s because mobile data is actually the most expensive thing from the carrier"s perspective, so they will charge you through the nose for overages. Check out our data-saving settings and tips and save some money as well!

Did you know that BestCellular.com does everything from the Swappa ESN check to your voicemail setup (and more!) on every device we sell? With our 45-point Phone Activation Checklist, you can buy with confidence that your phone is happy, healthy, and ready to activate! Give Best Cellular a call to get started today.

Senior Citizens Don"t Get Respect From Phone Companies by Sam

I work as a research analyst for a prepaid wireless company and have been in the prepaid wireless industry for many years. Some of the most frequent customers we get at Best Cellular are senior citizens. Typically, they want to port out of their current carrier. Most people have a cell phone plan already. However, often they’ve been mistreated by outsourced “customer service” or ignored when they want to keep their trusty flip phone. One of the most shocking factors is how much they’re being charged by their previous wireless carrier!

It is my job to research and write about industry trends in order to make sure Best Cellular stays competitive. We’re constantly working to offer the best deals, so I keep an eye on pricing trends. When other wireless companies offer a great new feature or discounted pricing it gets my attention. Often the deals that our competitors offer inspire us to modify our own plans or services. However, today I’d like to focus on some of the more malicious financial tactics in the cellular marketplace. If customers stay informed, they can make better financial decisions for themselves and their families.

Elderly Financial Exploitation By Phone Companies

When I started work on the best cell phone plans for seniors, I discovered a few major carriers seem to be taking advantage of senior citizens while marketing senior citizen phone plans. Take a look at the chart on the page linked above. You’ll see that one company is charging 35 cents per minute on talk overage. What if you have an emergency and you end up going over your minutes? The company would charge you an additional $21.00 for every hour! This could quickly mean an incredibly high bill, which would only add to any stress. Many seniors don’t spend a lot of time on the phone but if a family member ends up in the hospital or if there’s an emergency, $0.35/min is a ridiculous price to charge for overage. The company referenced in the comparison does offer some helpful low-price, monthly add-ons that could be useful. However, you should be aware of these high-rate overage charges before going ahead with a plan “for senior citizens.” We always advise consumers to do their homework before signing up for any service, including our own.

Why Are Senior Citizens A Target For Financial Abuse?

Honesty and integrity were much more important in our society when today’s seniors were the working-class of America. There was truth in advertising and you didn’t expect scams around every corner – a company’s word actually meant something. Unfortunately, the marketing landscape has changed drastically since then. Blind trust of a company can get you in trouble real quick these days. Many advertisements use shock and awe to distract you from the fine print. Bait-and-switch tactics are commonplace since many carriers rely on expanding their user base to increase their bottom line. True customer service is becoming a thing of the past and its absence amounts to elderly financial abuse. We encourage everyone looking at phone plans to research their options before signing up.

Another company we’ve examined advertises with the elderly in mind. Their plans target low users, but when you run the numbers many people would be losing out. Their pricing tiers only benefit certain user cases, and anything slightly above average (whether in talk, text, or data) means customers pay exorbitant fees. Again, we urge anyone shopping for cell phone plans to check out the details! If you need to determine the best plan for your needs, just give us a call and our friendly American-based customer service reps will be glad to help.

Why Do Cellular Companies Want Senior Citizens As Customers?

Senior citizens are usually the perfect customer for any phone company. This is because on average, seniors are financially stable. They typically pay their bills on time (or even months in advance) and have a set budget for every month.

Normally, their usage doesn’t differ from one month to the next either. I do work for a prepaid wireless company so this information is based on facts from actual customers. On average, Senior citizens use fewer minutes of talk time than other customers. Seniors often don’t text message as frequently (or at all) and the average senior has WiFi at home through their internet provider. This means they will use less mobile data than the average customer of a younger age. Phone companies end up paying less for the wholesale usage of talk, text and mobile data because seniors don’t abuse their monthly plan.

Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

It’s unfortunate, but many of our friends and family who are 55+ don’t understand the high-tech world in which we live. Cell phones have actually only been around since 1973, so many people using a smartphone now never had one growing up! Add to that the fact that new devices are released every year, and it would be pretty easy to feel like you’ve been left in the dust! Thankfully many companies (Best Cellular included) still support the basic flip phones, and we take the time to educate our customers on newer devices as well.

What About Seniors With Best Cellular Service?

Our goal is to care for our customers, first and foremost. As such, we work hard to keep them informed on industry development as well as providing the best American customer service we can muster. Our elderly customers receive the respect and assistance they deserve. Whether you only need a $15 plan to get by on a few minutes a month or a smartphone plan $40 or higher, we’ve got you covered! If you have any questions on phones or plans suited for seniors, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Cell Phone Plans for Seniors, Elderly Financial Abuse, Elderly Financial Exploitation, Seniors With Best Cellular

Activate My Phone Online - How To Activate This Phone! by Curtis McCoy

Cheapest Cell Phone Plans

Online Activation – Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) Allowed!

Activate this phone you have or you can buy a new phone to activate online as well. Before we continue, be sure to have your current information handy. We make it simple to activate your phone service online today, even if you don’t know how to activate a phone yet. Have you asked yourself, “Can I learn how to activate a phone”? Yes, you can. We can help if you want!

We understand how scary it can seem trying to get your new service up and running. Before we get started, let’s answer a few common questions we hear the most.

Will I know how to activate my new phone?

Best Cellular makes online phone activation simple. The easy step-by-step process will help you with your phone activation. Activate your own phone online or let us help you!

Is there a number to call to activate my phone?

Call our customer service number to learn how to activate a phone. We’re always happy to help with your phone activation. Call 970-549-2378 and one of our trained staff members will be happy to assist you. Just simply ask them to help you activate this phone and within minutes you will be able to use your new service.

Is it hard to activate a new phone if it is from another company?

We allow BYOD phone activation so activating a new phone or activating an old phone is simple with our online activation process. If you want to port your number over from an old carrier, the activation process may take a while longer. but it can definitely be done so you can keep your phone number!

Now, let’s move on with more information on activating your phone online.

Can I activate my phone online or will I need help?

Activating your device with Best Cellular is easy with our simple-to-use activation portal. We understand the bond people have with their cellphone which is why we go above and beyond making it possible for bringing your own device over to our prepaid network.

It doesn’t matter what carrier you were with, you can bring any phone from almost every carrier over to our service where you will get quality service, with NO credit check, NO contract and NEVER any hidden fees.

We don’t have pushy salespeople trying to get you to buy a new phone. We applaud you for having the perfect phone just for you. If you think you may want to update your phone, we can help you with this as well.

Be sure to check out the “locate” tab on our website to find a dealer close to you. It’s simple to do, all you need to do is enter your zip code and let us do the rest. If you are more comfortable talking with a dealer in person, then by all means, meet the staff and let them get you up and running.

If you live near a Best Cellular dealer, keep your business local! Our dealers offer the following:

• BYOD wireless activations


• Free phone activation


• Help in buying SIM cards


• Set up new service designed just for you.

If you require a new phone, most dealers have lots of great phones in stock! This section of the site is for customers looking to activate your phone online.

How to Activate a Phone – Activate My Phone

Are you ready to activate your device and start enjoying the clear quality service of Best Cellular? Our online activation portal makes its simple for anyone to use. With you bringing your own phone and using our system that will walk you through step-by-step will have you up and talking in minutes.

Can I Save My Contacts and Pictures before transferring?

Yes, you can! Switching to a better carrier won’t change any settings on your phone. The phone doesn’t need to be flashed and activating with Best Cellular. It doesn’t make any difference or delete data from the phone. We make it simple!

Just follow the simple steps below. Be sure you have your SIM card inserted with the power on BEFORE you do your online activation.

Ordered Online?

If you chose to upgrade your phone with one of our phones we sell in our online store, you would need to activate your new service once you receive your package containing the phone and SIM card.

BestCellular.com/activate

Didn’t purchase directly from Best Cellular?

If you bought a Cell phone through a different business, follow the steps below on activation. Activating your cellular device with Best Cellular is the best decision you could have made for better quality no matter where you travel through the U.S. Our team of professionals has training on how to activate phones from any carrier.

Anyone with basic computer skills can activate a phone online from the comfort of home. You can Keep your number or get a new one. Our online phone activation portal gives you a choice. If you need any assistance with your phone activation, we offer free 24/7 customer service to teach you how to activate a phone.

Just like with our stellar cell service, we strive to make life simple for our clients through our website. Secure purchases, easy transferring, and congratulating you for choosing the Best Cellular service for all the U.S.

Can I Keep My Phone Number?

Absolutely! You are welcomed to keep your existing number, or we can provide you with a new one. When you take advantage of our online activation, we can port your current number from any company without you losing any data on your phone.

Our online activation portal will help you submit the information necessary to port your phone number from your previous carrier. If you need a new phone number, we can do that too. We offer free phone numbers on all new activations. You can even change your number after activating if you need. There is no charge or any fees to keep your number or get a new one.

You will need to make sure you have all your account information from your previous carrier and that your bill is current and up to date.

The Best Nationwide Coverage!

Now that you have made the switch to Best Cellular, here is the icing on the cake! Best Cellular uses EVERY tower from EVERY major carrier in the USA. No more dropped or missed calls. No more static or tunnel noises. Just clear quality service wherever you travel Best Cellular can almost always find you the best prepaid wireless coverage in your area.

No matter where you go in the USA, if there is a cell tower from any of the four major US Carriers, we have access to it– giving us the ability to provide you the best-prepaid service nationwide. By having access to the best technology for cell towers, our team of professionals will help you determine which carrier works best in your area.

We will guide you in determining which cell service works best in your area because we want you to have the best quality service available in your area. No matter where you travel, you will always have the strongest signal regardless of where you live or go.

If a customer moves or travels frequently, we can switch you to a different network with a compatible device. With Best Cellular, you can change carriers whenever you feel the need. In fact, you’ve never had more options for coverage from one company.

Bring Your Own Device Wireless (BYOD Wireless)

Is your phone from another carrier? You can use the same phone you have no matter what carrier you utilized in the past. You can activate your phone from any carrier (BYOP). In fact, we suggest that you keep the same phone you have unless it’s just old and outdated. Saving money on your phone bill is what we can help you accomplish.

To do this, you need to purchase a SIM card, and you are ready to roll! Best Cellular not only allows you to keep another carrier’s phone, but we also encourage it. Our team is built around value and saving our customers money. By using your current phone is the perfect way to accomplish that!

You will never feel pressure from a salesperson trying to talk you into buying a phone from Best Cellular. Our goal is to make our customers happy, and it that means you are keeping your existing phone and joining our thousands of loyal customers, well, welcome home!

Bring Your Own Phone to Activate on the Best Cellular Nationwide Network!

 

Here is the bottom line. Our team wants you to get all you deserve from your cellular company. We are working people just like you, and we understand the importance of having a cell company that has your back no matter where you are.

Feel free to bring your own device and activate it online. If you need our help, we are always available to help you pick the perfect plan that fits your needs. Never anymore or any less. Our trained staff will help you choose the right plan, SIM card, or anything else you feel you need.

You will always hear a friendly voice providing excellent customer service, and guaranteed quality cell service. No Contracts, NO credit checks and NEVER any hidden fees.

Best Cellular is a BYOD network that allows you to activate your own phone online or in our retail stores nationwide. There are no hidden fees or extra charges when you pay your bill. It doesn’t matter if you pay online, set up auto-pay, call our 24-hour customer service, or visit a local retailer! We are here to help you!

We always recommend keeping business local and supporting your local economy! Visit your local Best Cellular dealer if there’s one in your town! Don’t settle for less! You deserve the Best!

Best Cellular Service in Eckerty, IN 47116

The unincorporated community of Eckerty, in Crawford County, is a cozy town offering family value to those who reside and visit. Johnson Township, Eckerty, IN received its name from its founder Mr. Christopher Eckerty in 1873. Being such a small community, your friends at Best Cellular understand that you need the best cell service available to get ahold of friends and neighbors. We researched the Best Cellular Service in Eckerty, IN 47116 and also found the following details about this quaint town.

Although it is not a large community, Eckerty still offers locals some amazing places to eat, such as the Schwartz Family Restuarant, Patoka Lake Pub "n" Grub, Somewhere on Patoka Lake, The Ridge Restaurant at Wickliffe, and the Eckerty Café. Locals and visitors enjoy other exciting things as well in and around Eckerty, IN. These include events such as theater, food, wine, and art festival, beaches and lakes, farmers markets, movies, and amusement and water parks. The Old Eckerty Days always promises loads of fun for the whole family. The festival takes place annually in the town of Eckerty. It offers a parade, arts and crafts, old-time demonstrations and an ice cream eating contest. There is usually live music as well!

The Best Cellular coverage for Eckerty, IN 47116

We have found the best carrier for folks in and around Eckerty, IN 47116. Due to all the lakes around, you will probably have problems keeping your service active with more than a couple of bars on most carriers. However, we did find that for this area, the “Big Red” (Best Cellular CDMA) carrier will be your best options for cellular service. Keep in mind that Best Cellular has no reason to mislead you with a particular carrier. That"s because we offer service through three of the major nationwide carriers. We also want you to know when you make the switch to Best Cellular you no longer need to worry about losing service due to lack of towers! Best Cellular ensures coverage no matter where you travel throughout the U.S.! We can provide this stellar service because we use every tower across the states. Of course, very few cellular companies can make you this promise.

Do you have a phone you want to keep and make your switch to Best Cellular? No problem! We encourage you to use your current phone as you take advantage of the continuous service we offer. If you want to keep your current phone number, we can handle that as well. Just remember that you must have ALL the details of your current carrier account. This includes any pin number and correct address on file. Make sure your old account is paid in full with no past-due balances. Your phone line must still be active and your phone cannot be locked by the carrier in any way. If you want a new number, Best Cellular can provide you with a new one.

Best Cellular also wants you to know you can do all the steps necessary to get you switched over right through our easy-to-navigate website. You can order your new SIM card, port your number, pay your bill, order a new phone or accessories with ease on BestCellular.com. We make life simple for you! However, if you find you need further assistance our always-friendly staff is ready to get you started. Our staff takes pride in how fast our company is growing by leaps and bounds. We want to share our quality service with you. With Best Cellular, there are no credit checks, no contracts and never any hassle. Just pick the right package for you, activate and enjoy a quality service no matter where you are in the U.S. We welcome you to the Best Cellular family.

How To Activate New Phones

Welcome to the online phone activation portal. We are happy that you have chosen Best Cellular! We get emails daily with people asking, “How do I activate my phone?” This article will show you how to activate a phone on Best Cellular, whether you bought a new one or brought your own.

How to Activate a Phone

Learn how to activate a phone. You probably found this page by searching something like, “How do I activate my phone online?” Click the buttons above and follow the simple prompts to activate a phone. If you need help, we have a number to call to activate phones (listed below).

Bring Your Own Phone -or- Buy a New Phone

Activate a used phone you already have or buy a new phone to activate online. We make it simple. Activate your phone service online today, even if you don’t know how to activate a phone yet. Have you asked yourself, “Can I learn how to activate a phone”? Yes, you can. We can help!

Activate your phone from almost any carrier (BYOD). Saving money on your phone bill is what we can help you accomplish. To do this, you need to purchase a SIM card, and you are ready to roll! Best Cellular not only allows you to keep another carrier’s phone, but we also encourage it. Our team is built around value and saving our customers money. Using your current phone is the perfect way to accomplish that!

We understand how scary it can seem trying to get your new service up and running. Before we get started, let’s answer a few common questions we hear most often.

Will I know how to activate my phone?

We make online phone activation simple. Our step-by-step process will help you with your phone activation. Activate your own phone online or let us help you!

Is there a number to call to activate my phone?

Call our customer service number to learn how to activate a phone. Dial 970-549-2378 and one of our trained staff members will be happy to assist you. Simply ask us to help you activate this phone and within minutes you will be able to use your new service.

Is it hard to activate a new phone from another company?

We allow BYOD phone activation so activating either a new phone, or activating an old phone is simple with our online activation process. If you want to port your number over from an old carrier, the activation process may take a while longer but it can definitely be done! Now, let’s move on with more information on activating your phone online.

Can I activate my phone online myself, or will I need help?

Activating your device with Best Cellular is easy with our simple-to-use activation portal. We understand the bond people have with their cellphone. We go above and beyond making it possible for bringing your own device over to our prepaid wireless network. It doesn’t matter what carrier you were with, you can activate a phone from almost every carrier on our service. Get Nationwide coverage with NO credit check, NO contract and NEVER any hidden fees.

If you need a new phone, we have lots of great phones in stock! This page is for customers looking to activate your phone online or activate a phone you just ordered from our online store.

How to Activate a Phone – Activate My Phone

Activate a phone today and start enjoying the clear quality service of the Best Cellular nationwide network. Our online activation portal makes its simple for anyone to use. Bring your own phone and our system will walk you through step-by-step. We can have you up and talking in minutes if you get a new phone number.

Can I Save My Contacts and Pictures before transferring?

Yes, you can! Switching to a better carrier won’t change any settings on your phone. The phone doesn’t need to be flashed. Our system doesn’t delete data from the phone. We make it simple! Just follow the simple steps above.

Ordering a Phone Online?

If you chose to upgrade your phone with one of the phones we sell in our online store, you need to activate your new service once you receive your phone and SIM card in the mail.

Want to activate a phone you bought somewhere else? No problem!

If you bought a cellphone from a different business, follow the steps above. Activating your phone with Best Cellular provides great quality signal/service no matter where you travel throughout the United States. Our team of professionals has training on how to activate phones from any carrier.

Anyone with basic computer skills can activate a phone online from the comfort of home. You can keep your number or get a new one. If you need any assistance with your phone activation, we offer free 24/7 customer service to teach you how to activate a phone.

When I Activate My Phone, Can I Keep My Phone Number?

Absolutely! You are welcome to keep your existing number, or we can provide you with a new phone number. We can port your current number from any company without you losing any data on your phone. Our online activation portal will help you submit the information necessary to port your phone number from your previous carrier. If you need a new phone number, we can do that too. We offer free phone numbers on all new activations. You can even change your number after activating if you need. There is no charge or any fees to keep your number or get a new one.

You will need to make sure you have all your account information from your previous carrier and that your bill is current and up to date.

The Best Nationwide Coverage!

No matter where you go in the USA, if there is a cell tower from any of the four major US Carriers, we have access to it – giving us the ability to provide you the best-prepaid service nationwide. By having access to all the major cell towers, our team of professionals will help you determine which carrier works best in your area. No matter where you travel, we can help you find the strongest signal.

If a customer moves or travels frequently, we can switch you to a different network with a compatible device. With Best Cellular, you can change carriers whenever you feel the need. In fact, you’ve never had more options for coverage from one company.

Bring Your Own Phone to Activate on the Best Cellular Nationwide Network!

Here is the bottom line. Our team wants you to get all you deserve from your cellular company. We are working people just like you, and we understand the importance of having a cell company that has your back no matter where you are.

Feel free to bring your own device and activate it online. If you need our help, we are always available to help you pick the perfect plan that fits your needs. Our trained staff will help you choose the right plan, SIM card, or anything else you need.

You will always hear a friendly voice providing excellent customer service and great quality phone service. No Contracts, NO credit checks and NEVER any hidden fees.

Best Cellular is a BYOD network that allows you to activate your own phone online or in our retail stores nationwide. There are no hidden fees or extra charges when you pay your bill. It doesn’t matter if you pay online, set up auto-pay, call our 24-hour customer service, or visit a local retailer! We are here to help you!

We always recommend keeping business local and supporting your local economy! Visit your local Best Cellular dealer if there’s one in your town! Don’t settle for less! You deserve the Best!

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How do MVNOs view the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger? by Sam

We were proud to have Conor Winters from The Capitol Forum recently interview M. Curtis McCoy, the CEO of Best Cellular. These are the questions and Mr. McCoy’s responses from the interview. Many MVNOs are curious about what the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger will entail and how it will affect the prepaid wireless industry. Mr. McCoy draws from his experience and technical knowledge of the industry to weigh in on these topics.

How do MVNOs view the merger?

As CEO of BestCellular.com I am deeply involved in, and keep a close watch on advancements in the wireless industry. We attend events all over the United States such as The Prepaid Wireless Expo, CTIA Super Mobility, and others.

Over the years, our team has met with T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and many developers and executives from the major US telecom carriers. Best Cellular is also in contact with cell site and tower leasing programs in many states.

As an MVNO, Sprint has been very easy to work with, and support is readily available. We have also had many discussions with the IoT staff at T-Mobile and we are impressed by the developments they’re making in next-gen communications technology.

Hopefully, the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger would result in fewer SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Cards for the customer and retail store owners to deal with. Currently, there are (40) different Sprint SIM Card SKUs for customers to choose from when activating a phone. Finding the correct SIM Card for a specific Sprint device was so difficult that we hired a team of research analysts to research and create a Sprint UICC Database that allows users to enter their phone model and be matched with the compatible SIM Card(s) for their device. Although this is a great source of revenue for Best Cellular as we sell Sprint SIM Cards to customers (and even wholesale to other Sprint MVNOs), it would be nice to have a single SIM Card that fits all Sprint & T-Mobile phones.

How will it affect the wireless industry?

On the tech side, this situation will likely accelerate 5G implementation. That seems to be the focus of John Legere’s vision, based on the PR he’s been doing about the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger.

Sprint has always been future-driven with their technology. They were one of the first carriers to test offering wireless coverage via a cellular radio on a drone. However, when Sprint and Nextel merged in 2005, the quality of the network degraded and they lost a lot of customers. Sprint phased out the iDEN PTT (Push-to-Talk) system within a few years as they shifted their focus. Recently, they have been developing and implementing Massive MIMO technology. That uses arrays of antennae to make the best of a limited spectrum broadcast. It will probably be a big part of the switch to 5G.

T-Mobile, of course, has been driven by innovation for several years now. They quickly established a presence in metropolitan areas. Now they compete with the established carriers in those sectors and have enough clout and experience to take on Verizon. Aided by their financial parents in Europe, their commitment to developing technologies should make this merger a net positive.

If this move goes as well as intended, Qualcomm stock would probably be a good buy at this point, since they supply handset-side cellular modules. In February of this year, Qualcomm announced partnerships with 18 different handset manufacturers to produce 5G devices. This was before the official Sprint/T-Mobile merger was announced, which means they either had a good idea of the pulse of this deal or they’re simply gambling on 5G overall. Since any official statements about the merger push 5G as the biggest benefit, companies like Qualcomm are poised to take advantage of this deal. Qualcomm will likely be the largest supplier of antenna modules for the resulting company’s handsets, due to their history with both companies in the past and their push to compete with Broadcom.

As far as the retail end of this equation, that will depend greatly on how “The New T-Mobile” decides to implement and advertise the resulting company.

How would T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint affect the MVNO & wholesale market?

Multi-carrier MVNOs are currently able to negotiate wholesale rates between carriers so they can focus their sales on the carriers that offer the best coverage at the lowest cost. Combining any two carriers will result in higher wholesale costs, with less competition. This is likely not a good thing for either the MVNOs or the consumers.

Are you, from your position at Best Cellular, concerned about this deal? If so, what concerns do you have?

This is just speculation since the companies have not released any details about how MVNOs will be managed, but I think it could become a major problem for the United States telecom industry. As the competition decreases, the free market will have less influence on this sector. This will likely result in poor pricing for consumers, as previously stated.

Are AT&T and Verizon considered to be less active, or somehow less viable, carriers in the wholesale market?

Like Sprint, Verizon is very easy to work with as an MVNO. AT&T does not have the greatest track record, but Verizon is one of the top MVNO suppliers in the US. One thing to keep an eye on after this all shakes out is the reaction from Verizon and AT&T. They have already begun sharing tower technology, which might indicate intentions towards a future merger as well. That’s just more speculation at this point, (but so was the topic at hand just a few years ago). We’ll have to wait and see whether they create specific strategies to compete or decide to continue on their current development timelines.

Will this deal increase or decrease competition in the wholesale market?

Unfortunately, “two heads are better than one” doesn’t always seem to apply when major corporations join to create an even larger brand. For instance, look at the Canadian merger which left their country with only three major telecom companies (Bell, Telus & Rogers). This created a much worse pricing structure. In business, more competition is good for the customer. But, it does keep margins thinner for corporations, as they compete to offer the best service for the lowest cost. I’m all for making as much profit as possible, but not if it means worse service at a higher price.

Will this deal benefit or harm MVNOs?

Since we don’t have any specific directive on how “The New T-Mobile” will handle MVNOs, we can’t really answer this question as of yet.

Will this deal benefit or harm consumers?

History has shown that this may not be a good thing for the end-user. However, the MVNO market has a healthy level of competition. As long as the resulting “Big Three” continue to support the MVNO market structure, consumers will have lots of options.

How will the consolidation of T-Mobile and Verizon affect the prepaid wireless market?

Both Sprint and T-Mobile have had a good history with MVNOs. We are hopeful that this will be a net positive. One of the main difficulties will be the migration to new handsets for consumers. More than likely, the millions of active devices on both Sprint and T-Mobile will not be compatible with the new network requirements. This means a lot of customers forced to “upgrade” will not be happy with their out-of-pocket costs.

Are there any conditions you’d like to see imposed upon the deal to address any concerns you may have?

I would love to see requirements that force the carriers to maintain a reasonable wholesale pricing structure for MVNOs, and a commitment to maintain existing agreements. Although a buyout of MVNOs would be a nice payday for CEOs like myself, it would result in even further degradation of available options for consumers. Currently, there are more than (240) United States MVNOs and Wireless Carriers for people comparing cellular phone plans. If the resulting “Big Three” decided to cut MVNOs out of the picture, those alternatives would disappear.