GTE is the only company that bills by 30 second increments for some of its plans. The other companies can cost a lot more if you make a lot of short calls. While phone equipment is important, there is not a huge distinction between phones offered by the competitors. UCAN recommends you focus on rate differences. That's where the costs add up.
Coverage is important but overblown.
The two cellular incumbents have better coverage than the PCS companies. But Nextel has good digital coverage and PCS is improving. Question the emergency plans. Just buy a used phone, turn it on and you are in business. We discourage long-term contracts.