| Foreword |
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xxiii | |
| Part I General Information |
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1 | (54) |
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How to Choose a Wireless Phone and Service |
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3 | (18) |
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4 | (1) |
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An Introduction to Wireless |
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5 | (1) |
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6 | (1) |
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6 | (1) |
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7 | (1) |
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Assessing Your Coverage Needs |
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8 | (1) |
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Your Friends Are Your Best Resource |
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9 | (1) |
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Which Comes First, the Phone or the Service? |
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9 | (2) |
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What Features Do You Need in a Wireless Phone? |
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10 | (1) |
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What about the Technical Side of the Phone? |
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11 | (1) |
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11 | (2) |
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12 | (1) |
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The Bottom Line: Understanding Cost |
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13 | (1) |
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How Much to Spend on the Phone |
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13 | (1) |
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How Much to Spend on the Rate Plan |
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14 | (1) |
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Bargain Shopping: Understanding Promotions |
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14 | (1) |
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Bells and Whistles: Looking at Accessories |
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15 | (1) |
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Making Sense of It All: The Phone and Plan for Me |
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16 | (1) |
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17 | (1) |
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18 | (3) |
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Analog, Digital---What's the Difference? |
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21 | (10) |
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22 | (1) |
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Evolution of the Wireless Phone |
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22 | (2) |
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Exploring Analog Technology |
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24 | (2) |
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Examining Digital Technology |
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26 | (1) |
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The Pros and Cons of Digital |
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26 | (3) |
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Advantages of Digital Phones |
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27 | (1) |
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Disadvantages of Digital Phones |
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28 | (1) |
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29 | (1) |
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29 | (2) |
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CDMA to TDMA---Digital Terms and Basic Definitions |
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31 | (12) |
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32 | (1) |
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Code Division Multiple Access |
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33 | (2) |
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34 | (1) |
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Global Systems for Mobile Communications |
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35 | (2) |
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35 | (1) |
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Time Division Multiple Access |
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36 | (1) |
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37 | (1) |
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Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio |
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37 | (1) |
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38 | (2) |
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Service Providers and Technologies |
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38 | (2) |
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40 | (1) |
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40 | (3) |
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Wireless Data and the Wireless Internet---Do I Need It? |
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43 | (12) |
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44 | (1) |
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What Is the Wireless Internet? |
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44 | (3) |
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44 | (3) |
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What Kind of Phone Do I Need? |
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47 | (2) |
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What Services Can I Get from the Wireless Carriers? |
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49 | (1) |
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What Services Can I Get from Third Parties? |
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50 | (1) |
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51 | (2) |
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53 | (1) |
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53 | (2) |
| Part II Equipment |
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55 | (62) |
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The Components of a Wireless Phone |
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57 | (14) |
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58 | (1) |
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58 | (4) |
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59 | (1) |
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59 | (1) |
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Menu Selection and Scroll Keys |
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60 | (1) |
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60 | (1) |
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61 | (1) |
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61 | (1) |
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A Beginner's Guide to Phone Features |
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62 | (5) |
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62 | (3) |
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Features Requiring Service |
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65 | (1) |
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Advanced Features Requiring Service |
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66 | (1) |
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67 | (2) |
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69 | (1) |
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69 | (2) |
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71 | (36) |
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72 | (1) |
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72 | (4) |
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72 | (2) |
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74 | (1) |
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75 | (1) |
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76 | (1) |
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76 | (1) |
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76 | (1) |
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76 | (1) |
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77 | (1) |
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77 | (1) |
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78 | (1) |
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78 | (2) |
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80 | (1) |
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Talk Time and Standby Time |
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80 | (1) |
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81 | (24) |
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82 | (1) |
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83 | (1) |
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84 | (1) |
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85 | (1) |
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86 | (1) |
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87 | (1) |
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88 | (1) |
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89 | (1) |
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90 | (1) |
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91 | (1) |
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92 | (1) |
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93 | (1) |
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94 | (1) |
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95 | (1) |
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96 | (1) |
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97 | (1) |
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98 | (1) |
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99 | (1) |
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100 | (1) |
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The Sprint Touchpoint 1100 |
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101 | (1) |
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The Sprint Touchpoint 2100 |
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102 | (1) |
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103 | (1) |
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The Sprint Touchpoint 5200 |
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104 | (1) |
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105 | (1) |
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105 | (2) |
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Accessories for Your Wireless Phone |
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107 | (10) |
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108 | (1) |
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108 | (1) |
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109 | (2) |
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111 | (2) |
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113 | (1) |
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113 | (1) |
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114 | (1) |
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114 | (3) |
| Part III Service Plans and Rates |
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117 | (62) |
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Understanding Service Plans |
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119 | (14) |
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120 | (1) |
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Understanding Basic Plan Structures |
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121 | (3) |
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121 | (2) |
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123 | (1) |
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National Plans without Roaming Charges |
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123 | (1) |
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National Plans with Roaming Charges |
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124 | (1) |
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Breaking Down Wireless Plans and Fees |
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124 | (4) |
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Additional Plan Features and Fees |
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127 | (1) |
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128 | (3) |
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131 | (1) |
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131 | (2) |
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Service Providers and Service Areas |
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133 | (26) |
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134 | (1) |
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What Services Are Available to You? |
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134 | (2) |
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Wireless Service Providers |
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134 | (1) |
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Finding Service Providers in Your Area |
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135 | (1) |
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136 | (4) |
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136 | (3) |
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139 | (1) |
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139 | (1) |
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140 | (4) |
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Why Is Service Quality Inconsistent? |
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141 | (1) |
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Who Has the Best Service? |
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142 | (2) |
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Wireless Carrier Directory |
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144 | (13) |
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145 | (1) |
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146 | (1) |
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147 | (1) |
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148 | (1) |
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149 | (1) |
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150 | (1) |
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151 | (1) |
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152 | (1) |
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153 | (1) |
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154 | (1) |
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155 | (1) |
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Dobson Communication Corp. |
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155 | (1) |
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155 | (1) |
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155 | (1) |
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155 | (1) |
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Rural Cellular Corporation |
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155 | (1) |
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156 | (1) |
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156 | (1) |
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157 | (1) |
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157 | (2) |
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Traveling: Your Domestic and International Roaming Options |
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159 | (12) |
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160 | (1) |
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160 | (1) |
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161 | (3) |
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AT&T Wireless: AT&T Digital One Rate Plans |
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162 | (1) |
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Sprint PCS: Real Nationwide Long Distance |
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163 | (1) |
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Verizon Wireless: National SingleRateSM |
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163 | (1) |
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International Roaming Options |
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164 | (3) |
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165 | (1) |
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AT&T WorldConnect® Service |
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166 | (1) |
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166 | (1) |
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166 | (1) |
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Guide to International Wireless Carriers |
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167 | (2) |
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169 | (1) |
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169 | (2) |
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Understanding Special Deals and Promotions |
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171 | (8) |
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172 | (1) |
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172 | (3) |
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172 | (1) |
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173 | (1) |
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More Minutes: ``Sign Now and Get 1000 More Minutes!'' |
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173 | (1) |
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Free Advanced Services: ``Get One Year of MusicPlayer Free (A 120 Value)!'' |
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173 | (1) |
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Contract Length-Based Incentives: ``Sign Up for a One-Year Contract and Get Free Long Distance!'' |
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174 | (1) |
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Free Accessories: ``Sign Up Now and Get a Free Headset Kit!'' |
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174 | (1) |
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175 | (2) |
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175 | (1) |
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175 | (1) |
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175 | (1) |
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175 | (1) |
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Services You'll Never Use |
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176 | (1) |
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177 | (1) |
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177 | (2) |
| Part IV Looking Ahead |
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179 | (18) |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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181 | (8) |
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182 | (1) |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Phones |
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182 | (1) |
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What are the differences between analog and digital phones? |
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182 | (1) |
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What is the difference between PCS and cellular? |
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182 | (1) |
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What is Third Generation? |
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183 | (1) |
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What is a dual-band phone? |
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183 | (1) |
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What battery has the longest life, NiMH or Li-Ion? |
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183 | (1) |
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What is the difference between talk time and standby time? |
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183 | (1) |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Service Rates and Plans |
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183 | (4) |
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Why is the quality of my wireless service sometimes inconsistent? |
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184 | (1) |
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Which wireless carrier has the best signal strength? |
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184 | (1) |
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184 | (1) |
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If it is called a nationwide plan, then why are there roaming charges? |
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184 | (1) |
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What plans do not charge for roaming? |
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185 | (1) |
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How do I know which mode my phone is in? |
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185 | (1) |
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What do peak and off-peak hours indicate? |
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185 | (1) |
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How do service providers count anytime minutes versus evening and weekend minutes? |
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185 | (1) |
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Do I get charged when people call me? |
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185 | (1) |
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Does it use up my minutes when I call other wireless phones? |
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186 | (1) |
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When I call my voice mail am I using my minutes? |
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186 | (1) |
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What is considered a long distance call? |
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186 | (1) |
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Are toll free number calls free? |
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186 | (1) |
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What is the farthest I can call from my wireless phone? |
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186 | (1) |
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Can all cellular phones be used worldwide? |
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187 | (1) |
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More Frequently Asked Questions |
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187 | (2) |
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Can I just keep the phone I have and change plans? |
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187 | (1) |
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Can I change my service plan at any time? |
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187 | (1) |
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Can I keep my phone number if I move or switch wireless carriers? |
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187 | (1) |
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If I don't like my phone number, can I change it? |
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188 | (1) |
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Do I have to sign a contract? |
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188 | (1) |
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Why do I need a credit card to buy a phone? |
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188 | (1) |
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Are rebates for phones instant or mail-in? |
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188 | (1) |
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The Future of Wireless Communications |
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189 | (8) |
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190 | (1) |
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As Use Increases, Prices Fall |
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190 | (1) |
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What to Consider before Throwing Away Your Home Phone |
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191 | (1) |
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Wireless as the Only Communications Network |
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192 | (1) |
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Combining All Your Devices |
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193 | (1) |
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3G---The Third Generation of Wireless |
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194 | (1) |
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195 | (1) |
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195 | (2) |
| Appendix A Glossary of Wireless Terms |
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197 | (12) |
| Appendix B How to Use the GetConnected.com Web Site |
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209 | (12) |
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210 | (1) |
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210 | (1) |
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211 | (7) |
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Haven't Decided Which Plan Is for You? Start Here! |
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212 | (1) |
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213 | (1) |
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213 | (2) |
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215 | (1) |
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215 | (1) |
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216 | (2) |
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218 | (1) |
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Ordering at GetConnected, Inc. |
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218 | (1) |
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219 | (2) |
| Index |
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221 | |