Emergency Calls

To receive emergency assistance from your cell phone, 911 is the number to call in most areas of the country. When you speak to the operator, be sure to give your name, cell phone number (including area code) and exact location. Not all jurisdictions have systems that can provide this information automatically.

Conversation Privacy

Two methods are used to transmit wireless calls over the air, analog and digital. If you are concerned about whether your conversation will be overheard, digital signals are considered more secure because the sophistication and complexity of a digital system makes interception of calls virtually impossible.

Usage Costs

In the United States, whether you place or receive a call on your cell phone, you are the one who pays for the call. Depending upon where you travel abroad, this may not always be the case.

Out of Home Area Calls

Your home calling area is defined by your service plan. If you make or receive a call outside the boundaries of your home area, you may be charged long distance and/or roaming fees.

Disability Access

Most telephones needed for analog wireless services are accessible to individuals who use hearing aids (hearing aid compatible, or HAC) or TTYs. However, most telephones needed to access digital services are not presently accessible to users of these devices. Under a new federal law, Section 255 of the Communications Act, companies are working to make these products and services accessible to all people with disabilities. Before purchasing a telephone or cellular service, consumers with disabilities should check with manufacturers and service providers to ascertain whether a certain product or service is accessible. Information on how to contact wireless telecommunications companies is available on the Federal Communications Commission’s Web site: ww.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section255_manu.html.