In a prior blog entry I discussed the fact that I have a dumb cell phone. This is not a complaint because my cell phone expense is covered by my employer in return for being on call 24x7. And honestly my feelings about not having a smart phone are ambivalent since I can see both advantages and disadvantages within my lifestyle.
Although I have a dumb phone, many of my co-workers have smart phones, typically a Blackberry. When my employer's monthly cell expense is discussed, I can't believe how much it is and I question how it can really be justified in terms of return on investment. Well apparently someone else is questioning that now.
Although I would expect that some negotiations are still taking place, apparently my employer has notified our cell service provider that we are not going to renew our national contract. Instead each employee will be notified, based on individual employment responsibilities, how much of a monthly reimbursement will be provided for the employee to make his/her own deal with one of two national cell service providers.
I am still waiting for more details and confirmation but I am also considering asking if there is any consideration being given to a prepaid cell provider such as Virgin Mobile. We switched my wife to Virgin Mobile almost one year ago and she is quite pleased with her $25 per month plan that allows her 300 minutes a month plus unlimited messaging, email, data, and web. I would prefer a plan like that much more than a plan that would severely limit web and data usage. Of course you have to buy the phone but that added expense for my wife's new cell phone was offset by my wife's reduced monthly fee in five months.
In my prior blog entry I stated that I expected that my next cell phone and plan would be settled by the end of this year. Now it sounds like some decision will be made for me by my employer within the next month or two and I am anxious to see what happens.
