Selecting a cell phone plan has never been more confusing. There are so many plans out there -- and comparing the various features and capabilities they deliver, not to mention the cost, can be a very time consuming and arduous task.

What’s more it can be difficult to determine the quality of service each operator provides in your particular area. Word of mouth is obviously a good way to go – but there are some instances where you might not have anyone to ask, such as when you move to new residence in another part of the country.

To help consumers choose the best cellular plan to meet their needs, YouNeverCall, an online distributor of cell phones, has launched “the world's first personalized cellular phone plan chooser.” The Ajax-powered Web application draws on the company's vast data to intelligently select the best carrier and plan for a user’s needs.

"We created the ‘Smart’ Cell Phone Plan Chooser after we heard from several customers that they found all the different plans confusing," said Sam Michelson, founder and CEO of YouNeverCall, in a release. "Many consumers greatly overestimate the amount of time they will spend on their cellular phones, when you take into account free weekend minutes, same-network discounts and other promotions all of the major carriers offer. Our 'Smart' Cell Phone Plan Chooser cuts through the numerous options and simplifies the choice for the consumer based on their needs."

The chooser lets shoppers access un-biased information about all the plans that are available. Since California-based YouNeverCall offers cell phones that work on every major U.S. cellular network, it has no vested interest in any one particular carrier contract or plan.

Because the tool is AJAX-based, search results based on user preferences are presented instantly, without any need to reload the webpage. After entering information including desired monthly budget; type of plan (family, individual, unlimited data, etc.); preferred carriers; number of monthly minutes needed/used; and other information, users are presented with the three post-paid cellular plans that most closely fit their needs

 

An analysis of YouNeverCall’s six years-worth of customer data shows that most people tend to use between 300 and 600 minutes combined every month. That means a $40-a-month cell phone will give most users what they need, as most “budget” plans now offer around 450 minutes a month.

Most users can simply look at their statement to find out how many minutes they use on average. If your plan offers 1,000 minutes, but you’re only using 450, then you can save as much as 40 percent by switching to another plan. (Of course, one has to take into account other issues, such as service quality or other value-added services that one might need.)

Earlier today MobilityTechzone reported that Wilson Electronics had issued seven guidelines to help customers select a cellular amplifier to boosts signal strength.