Choosing a phone plan can be confusing. There are so many options and potential pitfalls, it’s like navigating a minefield.

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It’s easy to think the most popular plan, or the one your friends and family use is the best choice. On the other hand, horror stories about hidden fees and restrictive contracts can make the process more daunting.

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But what if you could pick a plan based solely on your needs and budget, free from sales pressure?

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At Goji Mobile, we make it simple to find the perfect plan for you. We cut through the complexities and jargon, giving you clear, honest information without any sales rep influence. It’s all about empowering you to make the best decision.

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In this article, we’ll debunk common mobile plan myths. Whether it’s the misconception that more coverage always means a higher price or the truth about unlimited data plans, we’re here to set the record straight. Get ready to find a plan that truly fits your lifestyle and budget. Let’s get started!

Myth #1: "Unlimited Mobile Data Plans Are Always the Best Option"

Apps like YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Netflix, and Hulu are a staple for the average smartphone user. They’re also mobile data sinkholes, with one hour of continuous TikTok usage consuming around 850MB, which adds up to 25 GB per month.

Looking at such high consumption levels, it’s no wonder many people are gravitating towards unlimited data plans to power their favorite apps on the go. But “unlimited data” isn’t always the fairytale promise you think it is.

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The pros of unlimited data:

• You can pick up every FaceTime or WhatsApp video call.
• You don’t have to lower down the resolution of a YouTube video for fear of blowing through your phone’s data.
• Your data cost is the same every month.

However, there’s a catch. While unlimited phone plans offer no cap on data usage, many major providers implement roundabout ways to stop you from endlessly watching Netflix in full HD.

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The cons of unlimited data:

• You may be subject to speed throttling (data throttling). This is when cell providers intentionally slow down internet speeds at certain times, such as when you visit data-intensive sites and apps OR after you’ve hit a (usually invisible) limit.
• Slower data at peak hours no matter what, thanks to Fair Usage Policies
• High premiums and more expensive plans

Companies feel obligated to offer unlimited data since it’s popular. But it’s not worth it if you’ll be paying for data without the opportunity to actually put it to use. If you closely monitor and control your data usage, you might find it’s best to stick to metered plans and leave intensive usage to the moments when you have Wi-Fi access.

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Goji Mobile does the research for you and lays out mobile plans from many cellular providers all on the same page. You can browse prepaid and unlimited plans and services based on how much data you use without all the salesy language of the providers’ websites.

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The Goji Mobile app highlights plans with premium or prioritized data, where we make sure that your mobile data won’t be slowed down due to high network traffic or usage limits.

Myth #2: "You’re Always Stuck in a Contract"

Contracts are usually win-win agreements for cell providers and customers: customers commit to a plan for a certain length of time, and providers guarantee that they won’t raise costs during that time.

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The best plans benefit both the service provider and the user. However, you might be worried about long contracts with very strict conditions and penalties for early termination.

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Most plans are available in two types: contract and no contract.

With a no-contract plan, you will:

• Have to renew your subscription every month, usually without any fees.
• Choose between prepaid and postpaid.
• Have to closely monitor price increases and service changes by your chosen carrier.

With a contract plan, you will:

• Sign a legally binding agreement that lasts from 1-3 years
• Be subject to an early termination fee (ETF) if you choose to end your contract before the agreement expires.

If you do choose this route, it’s important to opt for flexible contracts to avoid being tied down to the same plan or provider long after your needs have changed.

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Goji Mobile simplifies the switch by informing you of the flexibility and early termination conditions of various contracted plans. We ensure a smooth transition to the perfect mobile plan tailored to your needs.

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ETFs are standard among cellular service providers, so don’t be alarmed if you see them in your contract. The good news is, these fees vary based on the carrier and the agreed-upon conditions in the contract you sign.

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Also, you should always look into the early cancellation policy of a phone plan, where if you cancel between 14 and 30 days after signing, no ETF applies to users.

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Whatever you choose, make sure your plan fits your needs and circumstances. Without a contract in place, there are no fees to pay for cancellations or switching carriers, but a flexible contract can work just as well if you use Goji to do your research.

Myth #3: "More Expensive Plans Offer Better Coverage"

When it comes to phone plans, you might think expensive plans will get you more privileges, but that’s not always the case.

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Cell coverage relies on a huge infrastructure of cell towers managed by one or more carrier companies. A single cell tower can have a range of 3 to 45 miles.

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A network of close cell towers keeps you connected over a much larger area. To make and receive phone calls and texts, and connect to the internet, you’ll need to be within range of your provider’s network.

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Dropped calls happen when your phone can’t reach any of your network’s towers (usually while traveling). No towers, no service — that’s why a more expensive plan doesn’t necessarily mean better coverage.

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Before signing up for a new phone plan, use Goji Mobile to check the reliability of any communications company using our interactive coverage map of the United States. You can filter the map to show the network reach of the four leading cellular services: AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon.

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You can also check the difference in coverage between 4G and 5G towers depending on your preference. The map showcases signal quality based on your location. That way, you can choose a plan with coverage near home, school and work.

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Taking the time to research the coverage situation in your area can allow you to make more informed and cost-effective purchasing decisions. For example, you shouldn’t upgrade to a 5G data plan if you live in an area with little to no 5G connection.

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Similarly, you don’t need to worry about phone plans with prioritized mobile data if you live in an area with numerous towers, as it’s less likely that the network would suffer from high traffic compared to areas with a weaker connection. Weak signal also has an effect on your phone’s battery life, as it takes more energy to maintain a connection with faraway cell towers.

Myth #4: "Switching Mobile Phone Plans is a Complicated and Lengthy Process"

This common myth was likely started by people rushing blindly into the phone plan market and then finding themselves entangled in countless policies, terms and conditions.

Fortunately, the process of switching phone plans is much easier than it looks. No matter which plan you’re coming from and which plan you’re switching to, the process follows the same steps:

• Find your new plan: you don’t want to start with your current plan’s cancellation process before you’re settled on your new plan, whether it’s with the same carrier or not
• Review your contract: check the conditions for early termination of your contract. Even if it’s a no-contract plan, there are still conditions on automatic billing and how long you have to cancel the next payment
• Check smartphone compatibility: free devices included in a phone plan usually have their hardware locked to the current carrier. You should also check if your device supports options such as e-sim cards
• Check local coverage: this is especially important if you’re switching carriers. Just because one company has excellent coverage in your area, doesn’t mean your new provider is going to have the same
• Get your Porting Authorization Code (PAC): your PAC lets you change your phone plan or phone carrier while keeping the same phone number
• Purchasing your new phone plan: you only want to make the change once everything is settled, as your phone without an active SIM card is as good as dead

The only difficult part about following these steps is having to jump between multiple screens and customer service lines. Goji Mobile takes all the needed information and procedures into a user-friendly mobile application that’s available on both Android and iOS for free.

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As soon as you install the application and sign in, Goji Mobile will show a breakdown of the specifications of your current phone plan. By setting your location, you’ll be able to browse through the best phone plans available in your area.

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Check out what users had to say about Goji’s coverage map:

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“I had the absolute worst service at my house. The worst!!! I even tried to change plans but it’s like a shot in the dark. It didn’t work and I only went from 0 bars to 1 bar of service. Goji is such a great way to find a plan that works for ME. I found a plan that has coverage at my house AND my work!! No more dropped calls!!” —App Store review by Nancy_PH.

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“The best part about Goji is that I can see the coverage for each plan that I’m interested in. And it has all these plans from carriers that I had never heard about. Super cool!” —App store review by paigejjh

Myth #5: "Hidden Fees Are Inevitable With Cell Phone Plans"

There’s nothing more frustrating than finding an amazing phone plan that’s within your budget, only to be surprised by additional fees on your phone bill.

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Typically, you’ll get a justification of what the added cost was for. Common culprits include activation fees, annual maintenance fees, and added taxes.

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Many companies remove all the one-time charges and extra taxes from the prices they use to sell phone plans. That way, they get to seem cheaper and more attractive than their competitors. However, none of those ‘hidden fees’ are actually secret and a little bit of digging through the provider’s Terms of Service would reveal all of them.

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Luckily, you don’t have to do that; Goji’s got your back. When you use the app to compare plans, Goji Mobile offers complete transparency in plan pricing. You’ll be able to see all the additional taxes and one-time fees for each plan. What you see is what you pay.

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With Goji, you can compare the pricing of thousands of national mobile plans. You can also filter the results of your search depending on the best match or price and signal quality. Goji will also highlight the differences between plans so that you don’t overlook any key details during your search.

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