Shopping For Cell Phone Plans in the Parsippany Area

Is it about time for a cell phone upgrade from your current carrier?

If so, it may be time to look at other plans, as well. Thanks to the number of carriers that offer service in the Parsippany area, there is competition and you'll see savings too. As phone numbers have become portable, you no longer have to change your existing digits if you do decide to switch.

It’s difficult to compare cell phone plans, because it’s nearly impossible to compare “apples to apples." Each carrier offers different minutes, data plans, text plans and/or bundled charges. In order to make this study somewhat unified, I searched for a family plan for four people, with at least 700 shared minutes, with two smart phones, two non-smart phones and texting on all lines.

The results of the study? You could save $30 per month ($360 per year) and have a very similar family plan if you are currently with one of the more expensive carriers. A caveat: If you use your smart phone for Web browsing, music streaming, video watching and email and don't want to be restricted to data allotments, the unlimited plans may suit your needs better.

Here are prices for family plans and free phones, as well as the most convenient locations for Parsippany.

Carrier

Family Plan

Activation Fee

*Total

Voice

Text

Data

AT&T

(2 year contract)

700 Minutes

$69.99 (2 lines)

$9.99 add’l lines

$30/month Family Unlimited

$15/month/line for 200MB for smart phones

$36 per line

Note: currently waiving activation fee for online purchases.

$149.97

Verizon

(2 year contract)

700 Minutes

$69.99 (2 lines)

$9.99 each add’l line

$30/month unlimited - applies to all lines

$30/month/line for 2GB

$35 for the first line, $25 for the rest of the lines

Note: currently waiving activation fee for online purchases.

$179.97

T-Mobile

(2 year contract)

Unlimited Minutes

$99.98 (2 lines)

$25 each add’l line

Unlimited

2GB included

$35 1st & 2nd lines, then $25 each add’l line

$149.98

Sprint

(2 year contract)

1500 Minutes

$129.99 (2 lines)

$19.99/mo each add’l line

Unlimited

$15/month/line

$36/line

$169.97

* Total = Total amount/month for a family of four with two smartphones (non iPhone, with data plans) and two non-smartphones; all phones include texting and voice plan. I did not include activation charges, since that is an up-front cost and I wanted to look at the revolving monthly bill.

Cell phone stores closest to our area:

AT&T
1180 Route 46 West, Parsippany
973-394-1002

Verizon Wireless
399 Route 10, East Hanover
973-503-9666

1400 Willowbrook Mall
Wayne
973-785-1744

T-Mobile
RadioShack
1125 Route 46, Parsippany
973-334-4335

ACL Wireless
345 Route 46, Parsippany
973-866-9693 

Sprint
540 Myrtle Ave., Boonton
973-299-9999

320 Route 10
Chadwell Pz., East Hanover
973-585-6533

A final way to save money on cell phone plans is to ask the dealer if you are eligible for any discounts through your employer. My family has benefited from this arrangement with T-Mobile. The discount isn't a huge one, but every little bit helps!