Guide to Paging Service Providers

Paging service can be a reliable, inexpensive backup to a cell phone

By Beth Stackpole

Some reasons to consider pagers:

1. They are relatively inexpensive. Costs range from about $5 a month for a basic, low-end subscription to up to $50 or more for a top-of-the-line, international plan with two-way service and features like voice mail and a toll-free phone number.
2. They're reliable. Unlike with cell phones, there are no dropped calls or delays.
3. They're less intrusive than cell phones. If you set them on vibrate, you can avoid the ringing and talking in public.
4. Unlike cell phones, which need to be constantly recharged, pagers operate on batteries that last for months.
5. Paging service coverage is fairly extensive today, particularly in remote areas where cell phones don't operate or work consistently.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get acquainted with what's out there

Today's pagers are more sophisticated than you might remember, allowing users to send short text messages, perform two-way communication using a keypad, even deliver short voice messages. Picking the right pager unit and your service will depend on the needs of your business and your budget.

I recommend: Pagershq.com will walk you through the benefits of various pager types. BuyerZone has a buyers' guide on pagers. For a directory of paging providers, go to Mobileinfo.com.

Save money with a low-end option

If you're looking at pagers as a basic, backup communication device, one-way, numeric service might be enough. A variety of providers offer barebones service for less than $10 a month. Some even throw in a free pager with the service.

I recommend: Companies such as abcbeepers.com, Web.americanmessaging.net, and Metrotel Communications offer a variety of low-cost (under $100 a year) paging plans. GeniePage is a $1 a month service that doesn't require any equipment investment. If your need is short-term, another option is to rent a pager. Pagersonline.com offer rentals among their services. If you already own a pager, but you're not using it, you can save money by reactivating it through services offered by DirectPages.com.

Look for bells and whistles

Today's top-of-the-line pagers offer interactive two-way messaging, roaming capabilities for international coverage, the ability to send messages to Internet addresses, custom news updates, and more.

I recommend: Skytel bills itself as the pioneer of two-way messaging in the United States and offers a full-featured service. USAMobility offers a series of white papers on its high-end two-way technology and advanced feature set.

Avoid pager scams

You've heard about con artists using email and the telephone to perform identity theft or to rob unknowing recipients. Pagers are also common targets.

I recommend: The Fraud Information Center has tips on how to avoid these types of scams. Subscribe to ScamBusters.org for free updates and tips on how to handle pager scams, along with other types of Internet fraud. To access Federal Trade Commission reports on Internet and pager fraud, check out Consumer Fraud Reporting.

Consider adding text messaging services to your cell phone as an alternative

If you're married to the idea of having a single communications device, invest in a cell phone that supports text-messaging capabilities as an alternative to investing in yet another piece of equipment and service.

I recommend: Check out Cingular's text messaging services. Are you among the many addicted to a Blackberry? Learn how to add paging capabilities to your favorite communications device by visiting this area of the Blackberry site. For a varied array of content and observations on how cell phones and text messaging are being used around the world, check out the Textually.org blog.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As with a cell phone, your choice of pager is highly dependent on the service plan that goes with it. Pay attention to all the options covered by the plan and make sure it's the best fit.
• •  Be sure your plan has options for international coverage if you're planning to travel abroad regularly.
• •  Consider renting a pager to test drive the model and the service.
• •  Familiarize yourself with proper pager etiquette. Set your unit on vibrate in public places, for example, and be judicious with how long it takes you to orchestrate a call back.