With more cell phone providers emerging to challenge the bigger companies such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, prepaid plans are becoming more popular.

“I use a prepaid phone with AT&T,” said Kihyun Kim, a UNA exchange student from South Korea. “I like it because, before I came here, I heard a lot about AT&T and that’s why I chose it. I pay $25 each month to get unlimited texts, 150 minutes and no Internet because there is Wi-Fi (on the phone).”

He pays $25 more to add a data plan when he is away from school.

Many companies provide prepaid phones for customers who don’t want to sign a contract.

“I use AT&T and I like it,” said Adeyemi Adewolu, a UNA student from Nigeria. “I was using NET10, then later changed to AT&T because it was a prepaid phone and I wanted a contract phone. I am happy with it. I pay $79 to get unlimited calls, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet.”

While some students are perfectly happy with their cell phone providers, others want to switch to new providers to find better talk, text and Web rates with the most coverage.

“I am with T-Mobile,” said Destini Robinson, a UNA student. “Service is not good everywhere I go. I live in Rivers third floor and I only get service on the ground floor, and that sucks. I can’t say I’m happy; neither can I say I’m not happy. But it sucks when there is no service everywhere I go. I’m waiting for my plan to expire; then I’ll get a new plan (with another provider).”

Some students are still on a family plan.

“I have a contract with Verizon; it’s on a family plan,” said Blain Robbins, a UNA student. “My mom, dad, sister and I have 1,200 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet combined. It’s $120 for the minutes and $10 each for the three other phones.”

His phone is free so he helps his parents by paying the $10 every month. In total it’s $150 per month for his family.

“I use Verizon and I like it,” said David Augustus, a UNA student. “I’ve used it for 14 years. I’ve never changed because I don’t know a lot about other plans. I’m within a family plan with my parents and that’s cheaper. I pay around $20 a month to help my parents out with paying the bills. I don’t see a reason to move because commitment is important to me and I’m committed to Verizon.”

Prepaid options are enticing students to consider switching from providers they have used for years.

“I use AT&T and it’s OK for me; I’ve never tried another cellular company,” said Alla Irelan, a UNA student. “I pay $150 and sometimes $100 every month. It’s not less than $100 to get unlimited texts, unlimited calls and 4 GB Internet. I think it’s too much to pay; I’m thinking of changing and use something cheaper in the near future.”

Some students, even in this digital age, don’t have a cell phone.

Daichi Shigematsu, a UNA student, said that he doesn’t have a phone.

He said he doesn’t find a cell phone to be important enough to carry around all day because it can be a distraction. The computer is more than enough to stay connected, he said.