It is hard to imagine living without it: Cell phones have become almost a necessity for students across the globe as the main way to communicate with one another. Since most of you are probably familiar with cell phone service in your home country, the cell phone providers and plans in the United States may be working differently.
We here at peer Transfer have gathered some information around the different carriers, plan options and tips and tricks for international students getting a cell phone in the United States.
There are two main types of cell phone services: monthly plans with a contract or prepaid plans. Due to the large number of providers and plans, it is recommended that you research several options before making a final decision.
Cell Phone Plan Options:
- Two-Year Contracts These are the most common contracts in the U.S. Contract plans offer lower monthly rates and very low prices on new phones compared to prepaid plans. Typically, the best prices are offered to customers who sign two-year contracts for cell phone service. While the rates are lower, terminating a contract early requires the customer to pay a large penalty. To qualify for a contract plan, a cell phone provider will generally review the applicant’s credit history. Since new international students do not have Social Security numbers or credit history in the United States, they typically require a security deposit which could be $400-$500. As with any contract, please ensure that you understand all requirements and charges before signing it.
- Pay-As-You-Go or Prepaid Plans Prepaid plans are easier for new international students to obtain because they do not require a Social Security number and/or a credit history check. These “pay-as-you-go” plans use the same cell phone networks and offer the same services as contract plans do, but usually at higher rates. Advantages of these plans include no long-term contracts, security deposits, or penalties for cancellation.