Posts Tagged ‘Reports’

Himfr.com reports China becoming the world’s largest exporter of telecommunications equipment

According to French media reports, in view of the fact that 1997, just ten years, China has become the world’s largest telecommunications equipment exporter, exports from 1997 to 27 billion dollars to 2007 of 845 billion dollars. At the same time, Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese domestic telecom equipment manufacturers have begun to compete for foreign markets.

Chinese telecom equipment exports rank first the United States as the world’s largest importer of

According to the French “Les Echos” reported (www.lesechos.fr), a decade later, China has become the world’s largest telecommunications equipment producer, far ahead of other countries.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data, China’s exports of telecommunications equipment from 1997 has been 2.7 billion dollars to 2007 of 845 billion dollars. The organization released a report this month, said: “10 years ago, China’s telecommunications equipment (telephone, Internet, cable, etc.) is lower than the OECD exports to major countries. By 2007, China’s exports than the The end, nearly three times more.

The United States is produced in China the largest importer of telecommunications equipment. China’s telecommunications equipment on the OECD’s total exports of 84.5 billion U.S. dollars, the United States the ratio of up to 40%.

A double reason: Overseas giant plant in China + China’s rise

One of the reasons for this phenomenon, in recent years a large number of Western companies invest and build factories in China. As the major telecom equipment manufacturers will go their investments, have set up factories in China.

The world’s largest mobile phone maker Nokia has five factories in China; Alcatel-Lucent’s 1.5 million employees in China, its products are mainly sold to emerging countries in Africa and Asia; Motorola mobile phones are the majority of production in China; Apple place the entire phone assembly is contracted out to a Foxconn, which only had 270,000 workers in Shenzhen, and at the same time Hewlett-Packard, Motorola and Nokia and other companies; headquartered in Singapore, Flextronics’s comprehensive 16 10000 that most staff in China, it is for Cisco and Sony Ericsson to provide processing services, and is responsible for the production part of the BlackBerry.

Another reason is that in order to Huawei and ZTE Corporation of China, represented by local manufacturers in Western markets become increasingly competitive. Huawei’s case, its 2008 signed a narrow of 23 billion U.S. dollars in sales, 75% of the partner is a foreign company, or about 17.2 billion U.S. dollars from overseas markets.

Appliance giant: report, financial statements a "furnace" mixed – appliances, annual reports, financial statements – HC Network Appl

These days is a excellent day 51 before the holiday products sell well. Nor is a excellent day these days, innumerable once a year reports of listed companies both have baked. If you are a excellent thing better that could be the fact that happens is not the case. These figures are for persons who do not know what it means business, but the excellent news from a perspective not seem as terrible.

 

Changhong
huge loss from profit

?? 4 days ago, we published a report in the securities of a small 300 word article, perhaps you do not pay attention. In the article: April 16, 2004, Sichuan Changhong released once a year report, due to the APEX company receivables, inventories, provision for investment trust management company appeared in broadcast for the first time in view of the fact that the losses amounting to up to 36.81 billion. But just two days after the April 18, Sichuan Changhong, a quarterly publication in 2005. Quarterly Bulletin revealed that Changhong realized main business income of 4.02 billion yuan, up 63.94 percent; a net profit of 174 million yuan, up 431.89 percent; to achieve earnings per share of 0.08 yuan.

?? TCL profits dragged down by international M & A

?? 2005 4 19 , TCL Group (0001002, SZ) disclosure of performance reports in 2004. Although the report shows that in 2004, TCL Group revenue increased dramatically to 40.28 billion yuan, up 43%, but consolidated net profit of 245 million, after, a larger decline than the previous year. Meanwhile, TCL Group, released the results of Pre-losing first quarter of 2005 Notice.

?? Report that the first Thomson

TV

Europe and the United States business and Alcatel

Mobile

There is a huge loss of business, TCL mobile phones more substantial decline in business there is an vital reason for decline in group net profit. Pre-losing announcement show, TTE, and T & A is still in the integration period, TCL Mobile is a sharp drop in first quarter results for Pre-losing reason. TCL Group’s board of directors, said the operation is expected in the.

?? We want to see

?? Fortunately, after two days of Changhong the first quarter of quarterly revenue with the 4.02 billion yuan and 1.74 billion yuan net profit losses … … Changhong why? From the current published figures, there are three main areas: clear inventory, new industries and reduce expenditure. From the quarterly reports can be seen on the new IT product sales of 417 million yuan, the total sales revenue for the company to provide a 10.37% contribution, the second is the company’s management fee is a fantastic fall, dropping by about 30% This is no small figure. There is also a very vital reason is to reduce its inventory. Changhong inventory number 2003 Once a year Report to 80 million in 2004 once a year report, Changhong’s stocks have to fall to 48 billion, has reached a reasonable range.

?? As for the TCL, the last year by M & Thomson TV, Alcatel mobile phone, color TV and phone in one fell swoop in the industry entered the two mainstream European and American mainstream, and from a regional company to become members of a business multinational companies in major markets crosswise the globe. TCL Thomson Electronics Co., Ltd. (TTE) once a year TV sales reached 16.72 million units, up 43% of the world’s largest TV company; TCL Communications Technology Worth Limited (TCL TCL Mobile and Alcatel) year sales of more than 10 million mobile phones into the mainstream of the world mobile terminal supplier ranks.

?? An “ancient appliances,” said to me, is the home appliance industry in 2004 is indeed a terrible years, but now we look in 2005, “luck” would have been better. For the broadcast who we see these figures are not major, we need to look is their product, as long as the product is excellent, low-cost enough, and quality service, we will of course still very much support.

Frbiz.com reports Analysts say Google help to develop motor Droid software is unwise

When Motorola introduced this month, Droid, everyone in this household the growing company will be the latest version of the Western Hills and mobile phone operating system, seamlessly integrated with the ability to surprise.

Droid’s hardware, software and orientation looks very perfect. In fact, this make use of Android 1.5 version of the phone looks outdated and no possibility, but we may be surprised, why HTC, LG, Kyocera and Samsung and other mobile phone manufacturers are still using older versions of operating system?

This may be more determined by Google. In fact, sources say Google’s Android team, in direct cooperation with Motorola and Verizon to help the end two built from scratch Droid’s software, and the team is helping a South Korean mobile phone manufacturers, hardware and software integration??. But the most vital thing is that most cell phone manufacturers do not hear similar help, but also only use the ancient version of Android.

This is two pieces of information that Google is helping to customize a particular vendor for the hardware and software, as well as cell phone manufacturers are helping the news of another one will harm others. In any case, Android’s early thought is for many cell phone manufacturers and operators to provide an open, free operating system, while the above-mentioned practice of preferential behavior is a departure from this philosophy. It’s like the father of Linux Torvalds LI (Linus Torvalds) is only business partners, has developed a dedicated Linux version, and refused to get a profit in the partnership before it is made broadcast.

While some manufacturers such as HTC of this balanced, and is still 1.5 version of Android running on their own unique user boundary, but Motorola unveiled the 2.0 version of Android, the critics have been reminded of persons still in use in the 1.5 version of the Android operating system vendors to take action. Market investigate firm NPD Group analyst Luosilubin (Ross Rubin) said: “Android 2.0 is a sophisticated and more integrated operating systems, including Microsoft Chat, and Facebook’s support of these two services is that many business broadcast and the social-networking site user’s digital contact centers. In addition, the latest version of the operating system has also improved the browser quicker. Other vital applications contain improving the Google Maps service provided free of charge in the navigation features, including Verizon, etc. Many, including the other mobile phone operators to offer similar features are fees. “

First used for the Motorola Android 2.0 concerned, Rubin said: “This may be a few reasons. Verizon the number of users as well as with AT & T and Apple’s direct struggle, may suitable Motorola Android 2.0 to improve competitiveness, or is this simply product development time coincidence. look to the possibility, HTC Android 2.0 will also want to run Sense in the user boundary, but need to develop a time. “

But, as of now, Google released a mobile phone each time only for the latest version of the latest version before they will be extended to other Android partners. For example, initially only for the 1.0 version of the HTC G1, 1.5 version of the first for the HTC Hero, Motorola introduced the first version 2.0. In small, Google partners through an exclusive release to a specific upgrade in order to obtain the right to participate in the design process.

But why manufacturers did not complain? This is mainly due to mobile phone makers are worried that they will be excluded from Google outside of the upgrade process, and can not access to Google’s Android team. Be honest, Google should release all of the vendors the ecology all the updates, rather than for individual operators. But this flagship phone with Google to start and adopt their new operating system in order to maintain upward momentum of the platform does not contest the first intention.

No doubt, Android is a very excellent platform, but Google tend to “flagship” products, practices will harm the entire ecology.

Himfr.com reports China Mobile cell phone released OPhone

August 31 news, China Mobile will today release its own investigate and development of smart phones OPhone operating system platforms and on this basis, the development of OPhone phone. It is reported that has been Lenovo, Dell, LG, Dopod, Hisense, etc. more than 20 mobile phone manufacturers in R & D OPhone.

China Mobile today released OPhone platform and mobile phones

It is learned that, after precise preparation, China Mobile is scheduled to introduction this afternoon OPhone platform and OPhone phone. Prior to last Friday (August 28), China Unicom has just announced a partnership with Apple to achieve sales of iPhone handsets in China co-operation agreement, only a few days, China Mobile announced the name of the office functions have similar smart phones , it should be said there is some coincidence.

iPhone, China Unicom is vital in order to promote its 3G initiatives, OPhone platform is the China Mobile TD-SCDMA terminals to further promote the development of a major go.

It is learned that, OPhone platform designed to accelerate the development of the industrialization of TD terminals, terminal manufacturers to develop TD significantly reduce the threshold of smart phones to facilitate China’s TD mobile terminals and mobile networks, attention services, seamless connection of TD operations to improve the user experience, improve TD terminal’s competitiveness, help to further promote the TD.

More than 20 mobile phone manufacturers to join OPhone camp

China Mobile, currently OPhone platform has received broad support from industry, OPhone open platform so that it has the most extensive basis for the survival and development, reflected in: first, significantly reduce manufacturing expenditure and end the terminal manufacturer’s technical development barriers to entry; and secondly, to provide attention developers development background, will make the attention based on OPhone platform will become more abundant, to quickly bring value to users; third, Ophone platform to a particular extent, reduces the need for foreign core reliance on technology will increase China’s international competitiveness in the terminal industry.

China Mobile said that in view of the fact that last year, several chip makers started the development of Ophone phone chip solution, Lenovo Mobile, Dell, Dopod, LG, Hisense, Sangfei (Philips), etc. More than 20 vendors are beginning to invest Ophone mobile phone R & D has now been rolled out its correlated products. This time, Lenovo Mobile, Dopod, Hisense and other companies will introduction their OPhone phones.

Frbiz.com Reports The Northeast’s Largest Processing Base Of Mobile Phone

  In accordance with a joint venture parties in the formulation of the plot, in 2004 the new company plans to produce three million mobile phones in 2005, production of 5 million, by 2008 to reach 10 million. In addition to providing significant sales to large channels, in which some of the products will be supplied directly from the South Korean market, the two parts of the product ratio will be determined based on the real situation.

In fact, except for Daxian earlier existing mold, batteries, electronic components outside the factory, established in Dalian Daxian Investment Pacific Electronic Co., Ltd., a joint venture with Ericsson’s Bluetooth technology solutions company, and a number of correlated manufacturers, are due to mobile phone production line to benefit from capacity expansion. Pantech corporate executive Lee Shang Zhu, says that Qualcomm’s royalties based on the reasons for the early establishment of the joint venture also hope that Pantech mobile phone spare parts procurement from Dalian to Korea for assembly. The Korean broadcast believe that with the continuous development of correlated industries, there will be more South Korean communications companies to Dalian buy accessories, or commission Daxian to OEM.

Earlier this year, China Unicom head of Mr. Wang’s aim is add 13 million CDMA users. As of the end of May, China Unicom CDMA subscriber additions less than 300 million, therefore, a sales manager, Daxian China Unicom is expected to be introduced in the second half and stronger measures to promote the market, hoping to take the opportunity on the offensive. To this end, Daxian has prepared a variety of handsets to meet market needs, including MMS mobile phones, color E mobile phones, camera phones and so on.

Standing on the shoulders of giants to grow hand in hand a number of strong partners, Daxian way of communication seems to broader and broader. In northern China’s information industry as the leading enterprise in the new Daxian Telecom will build the domestic market, with its highly well-methodical national distribution channels, in the R & D break down, manufacturing strength and supply chain management capabilities, brand and marketing capacity building from a comprehensive advantage, the formation has both national and international visibility and credibility of the brand, making an international, modern mobile communications company, achievement of a better possibility.

Frbiz.com Reports Mobile Phone Industry Base Floor Dalian

  June 18, Daxian Group and Pantech Co., Ltd. in Dalian Optical Communications Industrial Park held a “joint venture, Dalian Daxian Pantech Communication Co., Ltd. a narrow signing ceremony.” Daxian Pantech establishment of the company will build up in Dalian in northern China’s largest mobile phone R & D, production and supply base, which means the communications industry in Northeast China will enter a new stage of development, and Daxian Group will become China Unicom CDMA mobile phone One of the major suppliers.

It is reported that Dalian Daxian Pantech Communication (joint venture) Co., Ltd. will achieve GSM, CDMA mobile phones product development, production, sales and after-sales service the full range of business one-stop operation. Company registered hub of 10 million U.S. dollars, the first phase of the project total investment of 25 million U.S. dollars, two will be an additional investment of 40 million U.S. dollars. Is expected to 2008, the joint venture mobile phone output will exceed 10 million, can meet the greatest extent in China, Korea and overseas markets, mobile phone users. Industrial base is also actively expanding multi-faceted sales and export channels, to promote Dalian in northern China’s “information industry’s flagship.”

Pantech Co., Ltd. was established in Development 1991, August 1997 listed on the Korea Stock Chat, has become the strongest in the three South Korean mobile terminal suppliers. At present, the cell phone output reached 9.6 million, of which CDMA mobile phone 6 million, GSM phones 3.6 million. Company employs 1365 broadcast, including 446 R & D staff, Pantech Co., Ltd. has also bought in 2001, Hyundai’s mobile phone division.

Daxian Pantech co-operation started with the 2001 on the mobile phone products and markets has carried out in close co-operation, have launched Daxian D2100, D2200, D2300, D3100 series mobile phones, has won an increasing number of consumer recognition and favor, successfully launched the sale of a continuous wave, and Daxian the sustainable development in the mobile phone market, has won the full space. This time, Dalian Daxian Pantech Communication Co., Ltd. The establishment of industrial cooperation between the two sides marks the further development of a comprehensive upgrade, which itself is remarkable even for large domestic mobile phone industry as a whole is also a rare opportunity to upgrade.

Pantech as a world-renowned communications industry giants, in a number of domestic mobile phone makers choose Daxian as its long-term partner, it is obvious who the huge value for the cell phone industry, keenness and rapid response capability. This cooperation to a new level, but also the resource advantages of both sides of the optimization and integration, Daxian will rely on a solid economic foundation and the state’s industrial policy, the encouragement and support, give full play to their strong domestic marketing network and excellent advantages of supporting the localization of industry capacity; Pan Thai is able to give full play to strong R & D capabilities of its advanced production management experience and strong supply chain management capability to bring advantages to the new joint venture amongst the body in order to achieve superiority complement each other and jointly promote. To ensure the success of the project forward, the two sides also developed a comprehensive strategic plotting and operational detail, first of all, to establish joint technology investigate center to strengthen the core technology of mobile phone manufacturing, R & D capabilities, as a base lay the foundation for possibility long-term development; secondly, to build The operational means of science and accelerate the localization of raw materials and products, practices, reduce expenditure and promote the key component to support the overall development and correlated industries; furthermore, will continue to develop new markets and new customers, continuing to communicate with the core competitive market new mobile phone power.

The two sides in optical communications Park, the establishment of mobile phone manufacturing plant, will be South Korea’s Pantech R & D, manufacturing base and gradually transferred to the Dalian Daxian mastered not only enables the core technology components supporting the localization can be achieved to handbook the development of supporting industries.

Himfr.com reports Nokia, Sony Ericsson sales drop?mobile phone market may face a reshuffle

At present, the mobile phone is not better than the days of huge brother. Recently, the world’s two major mobile phone makers Nokia and Sony Ericsson reported third-quarter results were announced, the two companies have received a substantial decrease in the same period last year bills.

Nokia, the first time in nearly 10 years, quarterly losses, this quarter, Nokia sold 108.5 million, compared with same period last year fell 8%. Sony Ericsson in third-quarter shipments of 14.1 million handsets over the same period last year dropped by 45%.

For the year fell sharply, the two companies have admitted that because of the continuing result of severe market conditions. Apple, Blackberry and other products quick becoming the darling of the smart phone market, to start a fantastic impact on traditional markets.

To occupy the top spot over the years Nokia’s mobile phone market seems to have realized that a sense of crisis, and Intel cross-licensing agreement was less than 100 days, also announced that Microsoft co-develop mobile phone version of office and unified communications products. Left pro-Intel, Microsoft, the right football, for this has a comprehensive 1 / 3 of the giant mobile phone market share for such a positive attitude in the past are very rare alliance.

With Nokia and Sony Ericsson and other painful experiences as a starting point, a mobile phone market shuffling has just begun. Apple, BlackBerry, GPhone, Palm has become hot, but in order to Acer, Dell and other PC makers, represented by a large number of companies are ambitious to enter the smart phone market. In China, Lenovo, Dopod, Huawei, ZTE and other opportunities to seize the smart phone manufacturers have begun to come to the fore.

Development of the industry trend of 3C integration is of course one of the reasons, but broadcast are most likely to frequent or from the Google Android mobile phone operating system threats. In the previous long period of time, the Nokia-led Symbian in the comprehensive 150 million – that is, half of the market – the mobile phone running, the mobile phone operating system, the chief in this category.

Currently the world’s Android Alliance members have reached 48. More ironically, after, or members of the Symbian camp, handset makers Samsung, Sony, Motorola, Android alliance have changed. At this point, the world’s four major mobile phone makers, only Nokia by itself, it’s still stubborn jealously guarding its Symbian.

Of course, no one doubts are still firmly occupy the Nokia mobile phone market absolute dominance, but the comprehensive “mobile phone hegemony” is, indeed, facing an unprecedented distress. Just a few years ago when the ordinary RAZR series, no one believed that Motorola would be the same as the rapid decline.

Is not only Nokia, Sony Ericsson, for all mobile phone makers, today’s life is certainly not better. There are now, Google with Android’s affluent, Microsoft, Dell’s strong entry, each mobile phone makers need to catch up before the arrival of the mobile Internet era, in order to win themselves a place in the most advantageous.

Consumer Reports – Cell Phones

There are now more than 190 million cell-phone subscribers, more than one per household, on average. A small but steadily growing number of broadcast use a cell phone (a.k.a. a mobile phone) as their only phone. Phone manufacturers and wireless-service providers are promoting new generations of equipment that let users do much more than merely make phone calls.

Despite its popularity, wireless service has a reputation for problems: dead zones, where you can’t get service; calls that inexplicably end in midconversation; inadequate capacity, so you can’t place a call through when you want; hard-to-reckon through calling plans; and errors in bills. Problems like persons are why one-third of the cell-phone users we’ve surveyed say they’re from the bottom of your heart considering a switch of carrier.

Switching is now much simpler than ever, thanks to the regime mandate on local number portability. But, keep in mind that the phones themselves aren’t portable. If you switch carriers, expect to buy a new phone.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

The cell-phone itself is only part of what you need. You also have to sign up for service with a wireless provider and choose a calling plot. You can find phones in many outlets, including self-determining wireless retailers, electronics stores, and Web sites.

The providers. The major national companies are Cingular (which merged with AT&T Wireless), Nextel, Sprint PCS (which is in the process of merging with Nextel), T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. There are also numerous local or regional providers.

You’ll often find phones described as tri-mode, dual-band, tri-band, or multi network. Persons terms describe the ways a phone can connect to one or more wireless networks. Here are the specifics:

* Tri-mode phones can access a digital network in two frequency bands and older analog wireless networks.

* Dual-band phones can connect to a digital network, but in two different frequency bands. GSM providers often use the term 850/1900 MHz instead of dual-band.

* Multinetwork phones are well-matched with more than one digital network, often in two frequency bands. Some can also access analog networks.

* Tri-band or ‘World Phones’ operate on GSM networks in both the U.S. and abroad. Persons with 850/1800/1900 MHz capability can operate on two bands domestically and one internationally. Persons with 900/1800/1900 MHz capability operate on one band in the U.S. (1900 MHz) and two bands internationally.

The calling plans. Most providers offer a range of plans based around a “bucket” of calling time minutes. The more minutes in the bucket, the more the plot expenditure you each month. But, the total number of minutes isn’t the most vital figure. Some of persons minutes may be excellent anytime, others available only on nights and weekends; if you exceed the allotment of minutes, you’ll be charged 35 to 50 cents per minute, depending on the plot. Cingular, alone amongst the major carriers, lets customers roll over unused minutes to the next month. Most plans require you to sign a one- or two-year narrow and levy a hefty fee if you want to cancel before the narrow expires.

Prepaid plans can be a excellent alternative if you’re averse to a long-term narrow. Many wireless providers, as well as Virgin Mobile, Liberty Wireless, Metro PCS, and Tracfone, offer prepaid calling. You pay in advance for airtime minutes, which typically last 45 to 60 days before they expire.

The phones. Some are simple rectangles with a show window and keypad on the front. Others are curvaceous or have a flip-open take in to protect the keys. The major phone manufacturers are Audiovox, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, Sanyo, and Sony-Ericsson. Light weight is pretty much ordinary. All the newer phones can send and hear text messages up to 160 characters long to or from any other cell-phone user, and most phones now come with a full-color show. You’ll also see phones that can play ordinary computer games, are integrated with a digital camera, offer wireless Internet access, or that are combined with a personal digital assistant (PDA).

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Some cell-phone makers and service providers are offering so-called 3G service, which enhances the speed of data transfer. 3G services deliver practically quick, secure relations to the Internet and allow you to use the cell phone for playing and downloading audio and video, multimedia messages, and e-mail.

Amongst basic cell-phone features, look for a show that is readable in both low- and bright-light conditions. Be sure it’s simple to see the battery-life and signal-strength indicators and the number you’re dialing. The keypad should be plainly marked and simple to use. Programmable speed dial allows you to recall stored names and numbers by critical one key. Single-key last-number redial is useful for dropped calls or when you’re having distress connecting. Most phones these days have voice dial, which lets you dial someone’s phone number by speaking their name. But the number and name have to be in your phone’s contact list, and you have to program each voice dial name–a time-consuming process. Voice command-enabled phones don’t require training. You can dial anyone’s number in your contact list, and even dial a number not in the list by speaking the digits.

In addition to ringing, most handsets have a vibrating alert or a flashing light-emitting diode to let you know about an incoming call, useful when you’re in a meeting or at the movies. Handiest is an simple-to-mute ringer, which switches from ring to vibrate when you press and hold one key. Volume controls on the side let you change the earpiece volume level without moving the phone too far from your ear. You can’t do that if the volume controls are on the keypad. A speakerphone boosts the earpiece volume and microphone sensitivity, so you carry on a conversation without having the phone against your ear.

Some cell-phone models contain a headset. That capability is sometimes demanded by innumerable local laws for drivers using cell phones. A ordinary headset connector (also known as a 2.5-mm connector) is the most ordinary type of headset connector. If you frequently use headsets but despise fussing with cords, consider a phone with Bluetooth voice capability, which allows you to use a freestyle headset. Not all phones with Bluetooth are equal. Bluetooth data lets you transfer pictures and contacts, etc. to other Bluetooth-enable devices like printers, PDAs, and computers. Bluetooth data capability is found on GSM phones, but no on CDMA phones.

Many CDMA phones have analog backup capability, which may be vital if you travel through rural areas, or places where your digital carrier doesn’t provide service. Phones with analog capability can sometimes connect in places where digital-only phones cannot.

Phones vary widely in keypad design and readability of screen displays, as well as in the ease of using the function menu or performing such basic tasks as one-button redial and storage of frequently called numbers for speed-dialing later. It’s vital to handle a phone in the store before you buy, to be sure its design and your fingers are well-matched.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Commence by selecting a service. Finding excellent service where you want it can be a challenge. The best way is to question your friends and business associates–broadcast who literally travel the same roads you do–how satisfied they are with their cell-phone service. In addition, keep in mind that Verizon Wireless has consistently come in first in Consumer Reports satisfaction surveys and so is worth considering first.

Choose a calling plot. You need to determine when and where you’ll be using a cell phone most in order to select a plot that’s right for you. As a rule, a national calling plot (which typically eliminates extra long-distance charges or fees for “wandering” away from your home calling area) is worth considering first, even if you don’t travel often. With a regional plot, wandering charges can be stiff if you make calls too far away from your home.

If two or more family members use cell phones, consider a family plot that lets up to four broadcast share a large monthly pool of minutes for a small additional monthly charge. If you aren’t sure how many minutes of phone time you’ll use in a month, choose a plot with more minutes than you reckon you will use. It’s often better to let minutes go unused than to have to pay stiff per-minute charges if you exceed your allotment.

Select a phone. You can spend as small as $20 or as much as $600 on a cell phone. You need to commence your selection in the right price tier. Once you’ve settled on a price range, stay on these steps:

First look for practical features. Cameras, games, music players, and the like are appealing, fun, and even useful for some broadcast. But, features such as a folding case, volume controls on the side, and an simple-to-mute ringer will prove useful every day.

Hold the phone. In the store, take the phone in your hand and make sure you can comfortably access most keys with one hand. Try to make a test call and access the menu items on a working demo. We’ve found that phones with radical shapes are hard to use. So are keys that are small, oddly shaped, or arranged in scarce patterns, especially if you’re trying to dial a number in dim light.

Check the show. Most color screens perform well in dim light, but some are hard to see in daylight. Try the phone outside or under bright light. In our tests, phones that show incoming and outgoing numbers with large black fonts against a white background were the simplest to read under most conditions. Also make sure indicators such as battery life and signal strength are plainly visible.

Consider insuring pricey phones. All major carriers provide insurance that covers lost, stolen, or smashed phones, typically for about $4 to $5 a month, with a $35 to $50 deductible. At persons rates, it wouldn’t pay to insure a low-priced phone. But if you paid $200 or more, then insurance may be worth considering. Some insurance plans require a police report. Smashed phones are replaced, often with a refurbished model

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

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