Mobile phones are a mixed blessing for many of us. While some of us may miss the days of going out in public without hearing phones ringing all around us, most people do not miss being stranded on the side of the road with no way to call for help. The allure of having a convenient way to communicate has resulted in an increase in mobile phone usage over the years. Mobile phones have given rise to new rules of etiquette, and even new laws that regulate their use. Concerns about public safety and mobile phones are often in the news, making some people wonder if mobile phones are a good idea. Should you buy a mobile phone, or continue to use one?
One advantage of having a mobile phone is free long distance. One of the big reasons for the rise in mobile phone usage is that you can call anywhere in the country for the same price that you can call your next-door neighbour. This lack of long distance charges has led to many people getting mobile phones who ordinarily may not have been interested. Also, many people now use their mobile phones exclusively, after cancelling their home phone service. Having one less bill to pay is definitely a positive. However, mobile phone bills, let alone the cost of the phone itself, are very expensive. If you get a very basic mobile phone plan with only a few minutes allocated for calling time, you will not pay very much every month. However, if you are like most people, you may choose a plan with several hundred or even thousand minutes and will include extras, such as text messaging. These plans can run well more than 100 dollars per month, and may come with a one- or two-year contract, limiting your choices if a cheaper plan becomes available. Woe to those who go over their allotted minutes. Mobile phone bills can easily become 1,000 dollar nightmare. Having said this, mobile phones have other advantages too.
With the popularity of mobile phones growing faster than ever, it is a lot easier to keep in