Sprint: This prepaid is as close to the normal one as can be found. Users pay a deposit up to $150, which is their credit line. Users then get the same plans available to other customers. The differences run in that if the consumer goes over their limit without making a payment or are late making a payment; their service is turned off until the bill is clear. Users have access to the internet and text messaging, if the phone is equipped for them. The drawback to sprint is that the plan can become expensive very easily. Unlimited internet, text messaging and pictures run around $20 per month. Unlimited nights/weekends cost $5 per month. The first 500 minutes runs around $35. If the phone is purchased online, they usually can be obtained free with a new contract. They do charge a termination fee charged if the service is interrupted for any length of time.

US Cellular: This is one of the best plans on the market. The customer buys a kit for around $125, which includes a phone, charger, and minutes. The benefit of US Cellular is the free call me (inbound) minutes. This means a customer can receive calls for free. All the minutes outgoing are included on their plan. The option is available to add nights/weekends for $5 per month. There is not an option for internet access or text messaging. Another plan they offer is the $0.10 flat rate plan. The cost comes out about the same except the expiration is 60 days instead of 30.

Cingular/ATT: This plan is similar to the US Cellular plan except they offer a $0.10 rate plan with a $1 per day access charge. They also offer a $.25 per minute plan with no access charge. The monthly plan must be linked to a credit card or checking account.

Boost Mobile: This plan is for the person who wants all the benefits of a phone including a walkie talkie. To have the walkie talkie feature runs $1.50 per day. Calls run $0.20 cpm during the day and $0.10 cpm nights/weekend. Test messaging is $0.10 to send, Internet is $0.20 per day and does not affect minutes. Voice mail runs the same rate as phone calls, with the exception being calls made from a landline. The target audience for this is urban youth.