The internet can be a great place to buy your next cell phone. How many times have you been in the mall and were harassed by some pushy wireless telephone dealer? The internet store is a sharp contrast to this type of environment. On the internet, you can take your time, research a particular phone, and search for the best deals. In addition to this, internet dealers generally have better cell phone deals than their brick and mortar competitors. But how do you take advantage of these better deals?

In 2004, the government approved number portability. Number portability allows you to keep your cell phone number, even if you switch carriers. The implications of this are crucial for taking advantage of internet cell phone deals.

Internet dealers often offer some very innovative and high end cell phones for free after rebate. However, to receive these offers, you must also sign up for a new cell phone plan. If you want to stay with your current carrier, you must sign up for a new phone number along with the new phone plan. This is because number portability is carrier to carrier (not inter-carrier). Although you could upgrade your phone and keep your number and carrier, this would not qualify you for most internet offers. The alternative is to keep your cell phone number (through number portability) and switch carriers. However, if you choose this option, make sure that you are not under contract with your current provider or you could stand to face a hefty termination charge.

Nevertheless, there are many quality carriers in the marketplace. Switching carriers should not be that troublesome. Therefore, these internet cell phone deals have great value for the consumer. Often, these phones that you can get free after rebate would cost you more than $200 as an upgrade. As a savvy cell phone consumer, you could select two carriers that you are comfortable with and switch between the two every one or two years (and receive a high quality cell phone free after rebate) in the process. The internet marketplace holds great value for the cell phone consumer. Take advantage of these great internet cell phone deals.

Jaye Seay is an MBA candidate at Howard University in Washington, DC. He is also the owner of http://www.8ballwireless.com, a website that offers consumers information, reviews, and links to the best internet cell phone deals.