How not to overpay for your smartphone Video

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How not to overpay for your smartphone
Created: 04/19/2011
Video description: Smartphones may useful, but using them can come at a high price. Experts say a lot of consumers are paying too much money for their monthly minutes and data services. CNET's Kara Tsuboi reports.

How not to overpay for your smartphone Video Transcript

-My life is pretty much on the phone. -Having a smartphone can make your life easier. It's your office, your organizer, and your entertainment system all in one. That's also why the bill could be so expensive. -I wish it was lower, but I mean I can live with it especially with everything I do with the phone. -The cheapest you can go is about $69. I think most people probably pay more than 80 or 90 range, but you can go up to 115, even more than that if you want sort of everything unlimited, just depends on the carrier. -Before choosing a smartphone plan, CNET's senior editor, Kent German, says it's a smart idea to evaluate your talking and data needs over several months. It's good to sort of get an average over time. Tracking your data usage can be tough, so CNET recommends opting for a larger plan if you use your cellphone for anything more than calls, texts, or basic e-mails. -It's really that browsing and it's downloading large files like apps, like games, like photos, or music tracks that's really gonna eat your data up. The website bill monitor conducted a smartphone study in Great Britain and concluded that if everyone signed up for the correct contract, the country would save more than 8 billion dollars a year. -76% of Britain is currently on the wrong contract. -So, don't be afraid to adjust your service plan as needed. The savings can really add up. -15 dollars a month may not seem like a lot, but over the course of a year, it's quite a bit. -In fact, that's 180 dollars. Now, that's smart savings. In San Francisco, I'm Kara Tsuboi. Cnet.com for CBS news.

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