Samantha Truka
For the Logos

The rise of cell phone use is sweeping college campuses today.

Coming in a variety of shapes, designs and colors, cell phones provide students with easy access to others, and yet they are convenient enough to fit into their back pockets.

In fact, cell phones have become so popular that it is almost impossible to walk from class to class without encountering the ringing of a cell or catching the tail-end of another's conversation.

A survey conducted at the College of Business at Arizona State University revealed that slightly over 50% of the students surveyed owned cell phones.

Of the students who did not currently own a cell phone, 57.6 % said they would like to own one.

Cell phones have become popular among students because they're easy to get serviced and are highly convenient.

"A lot of my friends moved away to college so it makes my long distance phone calls affordable, and it is easier to keep in contact with close friends," Amanda Wentworth, a NIACC freshman, said.

Some students may choose to buy their own phones with their own plan or calling cards.

However, the majority of cell phone users take advantage of local cell phone providers and services.

Plans provided by services include a certain amount of minutes and a combination of features for a monthly service fee ranging anywhere from $19.99- 69.99.

Perhaps the growing popularity is because many service providers provide long distance programs that are cheaper than calling cards, which is highly convenient for students living away from home.

"College students are looking for a lot of minutes at a minimal price because it's going to be their main phone," Lee Green, a U.S. Cellular Retail Wireless Consultant, said.

Cell phones offer a lot of advantages for college students.

"I'm not home often so my cell phone allows people to get a hold of me whenever they need to," Wentworth said.

College students' reasons for purchasing a cell phone include keeping in touch with family members, emergencies, contacting significant others and coordinating social activities.

Students often look for specific features such as caller ID, size of phone, instant and text messaging, customized ring tones and a range of cellular service.

Because of the convenience cell phones provide, it's no wonder why they are quickly becoming a part of a student's everyday wardrobe.

A.J. Bunkoske
For the Logos

The kids, business, social occasions or emergencies represent just a few reasons people carry cellular phones.

With the deluge of mobile technology, one can't step out of the house without seeing someone on a cell phone, so how can you get one too?

It isn't difficult by any means to obtain a cell phone.

Pre-paid packages can be ordered online or purchased at a neighborhood store, like Wal-Mart. Local area service providers are the most popular choice based on the multitude of plans, products and accessories available.

The primary decision facing a perspective cell phone consumer is what type of plan to choose, which includes the service area, price, any additional roaming charges that can be incurred and number of minutes available.

As seen with local provider Cell-U-Byte, plans available to choose from are a local Iowa based plan, a regional mid-west plan and a nation wide calling zone.

These zones all describe the area one is calling from, so taking business or social travel into account when an individual secures a plan is essential.

All plans provide minutes divided into day-time or nights and weekends, local and long distance.

"All our plans have nation wide, unlimited long distance calling, so the only real concern is the number of minutes you buy. You don't want to buy yourself tons of minutes you'll never use," Melissa Jenissy, a Cell-U-Byte employee, said.

After determining the appropriate plan and coverage area, the phone selection is the next most crucial step.

In today's age, the actual cell phone sale outside of the plan is a huge market, fortunately there are generally less than a dozen phone choices depending on the plan type.

Phones range from basic models to ones that will allow internet access, email functions, voice dialing and downloadable ringing tones.

"I often see people buying $300 phones when their plan can't even make use of half of its options. I try to caution them that a $100 model would do the same thing," Jim Darrin, a Midwest Wireless employee, said.

In a time when it's socially trendy, as well as convenient to own a cellular phone, remember that breaking a contract comes with a price.

Depending on the carrier, cancellation fees can include the full price of the original plan, plus penalties.

An example would be one plan which comes with a $150 early termination fee.

"A first-time customer should be prepared to commit to a calling plan, generally including an activation fee, purchase a phone with any additional services such as voice mail, and phone accessories like a case, charger and spare battery," Darrin said.

Many choices await a perspective customer, but local providers are more than ready to assist and can have you walking and talking in no time.