Cell phones are handy and portable, both attributes that make them perfect in emergency situations. Being able to call for assistance no matter where you are is important for everyone both young and old.Expensive phones and extended and costly cell phone plans aren't necessary if your primary need is the ability to make emergency calls only. Learn about your options for emergency only cell phones here.
Emergency Cell Phones: The Options
There are a number of options available to those who want a cell phone for the primary purpose of being able to get assistance in emergencies.These emergency only cell phones are designed for ease of use and simplicity. Plans designed specifically for those who want only occasional use are available as well in some instances.
There are a number of Prepaid options that allow users to avoid long term committments and monthly fees. However, the minutes purchased do expire over time and additional minutes must be bought. As with any limited use plan, per minute cost is high but such options still make sense based on the lower total cost. Prepaid phones can be used as emergency only cell phones or for more typical use.
Buying a used or refurbished phone is fairly inexpensive. Or perhaps you've purchased a new one and have an old one and you aren't sure what to do with it. Either option will be less expensive than a new cell phone. Any cell phone should allow you to dial and contact 911; even if you have no service.
A Phone Designed for Emergency and Occasional Use
One option on the market is the Jitterbug J. The phone itself is very simple to use making it a good emergency only cell phone. It offersTo contact an operator for assistance in placing calls 24/7.
To contact anyone that you program into the phone with a single push of a button.
This allows you to call 911 with one button dialing.
The phone is hearing aid compatible, provides bright, enlarged text that is easy to read, and has the potential for voice activated dialing.
The Jitterbug J is only $147 and plans require no contract committment; The plans are as low as $14.99/month giving the user 50 minutes of calling.
Another Emergency Only Cell Phone
The SafeGuardian is designed for use as an emergency only cell phone. Users can't receive incoming calls. By pressing a single button you're connected to an assistant who will handle things from there.
Through the call center, the Safe Guardian phone can also be used to contact others but calls are approximately 40 cents/minute.
This phone also features a convenient handsfree speakerphone as well as a loud siren for personal safety.
Plans however are priced at $35/month and higher. Multiple year contracts are necessary.
A visit to the SafeGuardian website will provide more details.
Through the call center, the Safe Guardian phone can also be used to contact others but calls are approximately 40 cents/minute.
This phone also features a convenient handsfree speakerphone as well as a loud siren for personal safety.
Plans however are priced at $35/month and higher. Multiple year contracts are necessary.
A visit to the SafeGuardian website will provide more details.
Prepaid: The AT&T GoPhone
The AT&T Go Phone Prepaid Option allows you to purchase minutes prepaid and avoid the committment and expense of a contract.Users can purchase a refurbished phone for as little as $7 or $8 and then purchase minutes (typically in $100 increments). For those using their phone 5 minutes or less per day, the cost is only 25 cents per minute.
The minutes have a one year life, thus, regardless of your usage, you would need to purchase another $100 worth of minutes annually. Still pretty economical if you just need a phone for emergency/very occasional use.
Prepaid: T-Mobile To Go
T-Mobile's Prepaid Plans" allow users to purchase talk time in increments as small as 30 minutes for $10. The minutes expire after 90 days requiring the user to purchase additional minutes. They also offer pay-by-the-day options that provide calling for only $1.00 per day (access charge) and then an additional 10 cents for calls outside of the T-Mobile network.Either option is a good one for those who won't be using much talk time or are looking for emergency only cell phones. There are a variety of phones offered; from $30 to around $100.
Prepaid: Verizon Wireless INpulse
The Verizon's prepaid option provides 3 levels of service. (Visit their page for details) The Core level of service has a 99 cent per day access charge on days in which the phone is used. Calls are 10 cents per minute.The expiration time on minutes depends upon the refill amount; the more minutes purchased the longer their life. For instance, minutes from a refill of only $15 expire after 30 days, however, minutes from a refill of $100 expire after a year. Clearly, the last choice could result in greater savings for those using their cell phone for emergency purposes only.
Learn About Other Prepaid Options
Emergency Only Cell Phones When You Have No Service
All cell phones are capable of connecting you to 9-1-1 even if you have no service. Thus for those who truly want emergency only access, no plan would be required to dial 911 and get a response. However, it is important to understand you will have to explain to the operator where you are as their system will not be able to identify your location automatically.This article at Trac gives the details and discusses programming the phone for credit card calls.
For those shopping for a used or refurbished phone without a plan, remember that cell phones now need to be able to operate off of a digital network as analog is phasing out. Of course, emergency only cell phones are of no use if the battery is dead; thus the user would also need to be sure to have a charger in order to keep the phone powered up for potential use and/or to have an adapter to plug it in for use when needed.
See this FCC site for tips to follow when calling 911 from a cell phone.
Free Emergency Cell Phones for Those in Need
For those who qualify, there are organizations that provide free emergency only cell phones. For those who are over 60, the victim of domestic violence, or who have a serious physical disability Phones for Life can provide a phone. Go to their site to complete an application or to donate a phone.Many local organizations exist within communities that will also provide free cell phones to those in need. Cellphonebank.org can assist consumers in finding local organizations to provide emergency cell phones.
Important Tips for Getting the Most from Your Emergency Cell Phone
There are a few things to remember regardless of which of the above options you choose for your emergency only cell phone.Emergency Cell Phone Chargers
Refurbished Cell Phones
Used Cell Phones
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Emergency Cell Phones in the News
- Calling 911 and hanging up causes problems for police
- Whether the call comes from a land line or a cell phone, If you hang up afterwards because you don't actually have an emergency, It can cause some serious ...
- Reverse 911 system is up and running
- Cell phone numbers are not automatically entered into the system however. Cell phone owners who want to be notified must provide their numbers. ...
- Calling on city workers to limit minutes amid budget deficit
- SAN FRANCISCO ? Cell phones used by city workers continue to drain the budget despite efforts to cut down the monthly bills. Amid a $522.2 million budget ...
- Finish date for E911 iffy
- ... a 50-cent monthly cellular phone fee to create a system that would allow emergency dispatchers to determine locations for calls made from cell phones. ...
Cell Phone Clips
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- Spook Spook Jul 24, 2008 @ 8:27 am
- Another great and informative lens
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- bbug bbug Jul 23, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
- Excellent information, cell phones are vital and should be affordable to all.
You can review this site at The Isle of Squid
Photo Credits
Introduction: GMonster25.
Prepaid- AT&T: Kai Henry
Prepaid- T-Mobile: 22n.
Prepaid- Verizon Wireless: geee.darryl.
This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.
Photo Credits
Introduction: GMonster25.
Prepaid- AT&T: Kai Henry
Prepaid- T-Mobile: 22n.
Prepaid- Verizon Wireless: geee.darryl.
This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.
by mulberry
Sometimes you need a cell phone just for emergency purposes. You don't want an expensive phone or plan, just reliability. Find out about the options f... (more)
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