A closer look at some low-cost cellular plans

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You, too, can “save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off.” Listen to Clark Howard weeknights from 6 to 9 p.m. on AM1290/95.7FM News-Talk WHIO.

In one of my recent columns, I told you about a cellular service called Republic Wireless offering unlimited talk, text and Web for $19 per month. But that’s for people who want a fancy Android smart phone.

Most people just want a simple phone that calls and texts. Now there’s a $12 per month plan from Page Plus called “The 12,” where you get 250 voice minutes, 250 text messages and a small amount of data for very light Web surfing every month — a great deal for moderate users. Visit PagePlusCellular.com for more details.

Page Plus also has a number of other low-cost plans available. They tend to price a little lower than mega-competitor Straight Talk, which starts at $30 per month for 1,000 texts and 1,000 voice minutes.

By comparison, Page Plus’ $30 per month plan bests them by offering 1,200 minutes and 3,000 text messages.

Meanwhile, another competitor called Net 10 is currently running a limited-time promotion of $30 per month for unlimited everything when you buy a participating phone for $40-$70 and enroll in auto refill for 12 months.

After 12 months, the rate jumps up to $50. Visit Offers.Net10.com for further details.

Finally, Consumer Reports has done a new rating of cellphone service providers in its January 2012 issue. Noncontract giant Straight Talk scored higher than any of the Big 4 contract players. Straight Talk gives you an Android for $45 with unlimited calling and texting and a generous data cap.

The worst marks go to AT&T, which got one of the lowest scores from Consumer Reports I’ve ever seen for any company in any industry. They came in dead last in 22 of the nation’s largest markets. By contrast, the best of the Big 4 contract players was Verizon, with Sprint right on their heels.

Clark Howard is a nationally syndicated consumer advocate, radio personality and author who gives advice on how to save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off. Listen to Clark Howard weeknights from 6 to 9 p.m. on AM1290/95.7FM News Talk WHIO.