Here are the facts. Right now over 290 million people in United States alone have a cell phone and over $200 billion is spent annually on cell phone service. By 2014, experts predict over $400 billion will be spent on cell phone service in the United States alone! Those are staggering numbers but they only tell half the story.

This may surprise you, but did you know 65% of all new customers are now choosing to go with a no contract cell phone plan? In addition 25 million more customers will be switching to a no contract cell phone plan in the next six months! What’s driving this?

Other than the initial cost of the cell phone, no contract cell phone plans are almost always far less expensive than the contract variety. Given the cost advantage, which no contract cell phone plan should you pick?

Here are a few tips to insure you’re happy with the no contract cell phone plan you select:

1) Look for unlimited talk, text and 3G or 4G internet service, with no data caps or overages. This is critical since some no contract plans offer just 1G internet speed, which is super slow or they may offer 4G with a data cap, which is also not acceptable.

2) Make sure the no contract cell phone plan offers a true national plan. Some of the no contract carriers seem to only work as long as you never leave town.

3) Make sure the no contract cell phone plan has a customer service department. Believe it or not, some of them don’t!

4) Does the no contract plan have a referral program that will allow you to get the same service for even less if you meet the referral quota? Some of these plans are striving to grow and they’re offering great customer incentives to sign up.

5) Lastly, go with a no contract cell phone plan that specializes in no contract cell phone plans. In other words, be cautious just singing up with a big wireless contract plan that offers no contract plans as a side line. Those companies that specialize in no contract cell phone plans are hungrier for your business and you’ll almost always get a better deal. Make sure you’re comparing apples with apples. Is it a low ball price with no extra charges? Or is it true unlimited talk, text & internet with no usage caps for one low price?

As you know, contract cell phone plans lure you in with a new fancy phone at a big discount in return for a 2 year contract. With the no contact cell phone plans you need to anticipate paying full price for your new cell phone. A few of the no contract cell phone plans sell new, never used cell phones that are last year’s model. This is a great way to cut the cost of paying for the cell phone. As long as you don’t have to have the “bleeding edge” coolest phone on the planet, this is a great way to go!

Follow the basics above and you’re sure to find a great no contract cell phone plan that will serve you well for years to come.