Cell phones are widely used in America and there are many companies and plans to choose from. Most companies offer deals to buy a cell phone for a penny or for free, but they almost always come with a one to three year obligation and a monthly bill that may not be in your best interest. It is important to understand all the details of the contract before signing. You may also buy prepaid phones for a small price and then you must purchase minutes. Some of the most popular companies are Sprint, Cingular and Verizon. Expect to pay around $30-50 a month depending on your plan and how much time you spend on the phone.

The system used in America is standard GSM on 1900 which different from other countries so most cell phones from out of the country will not work within the United States.