| Just a few years ago, there were very few options | | | | accounts. If you have to create a new email account, |
| when it came to mobile email. Now there are many | | | | the result is yet another way for people to get a |
| choices. However, not every mobile email device and | | | | hold of you. Choosing a device a plan that works |
| service is equal. Here are some things to consider | | | | with your current email accounts means it will be |
| when choosing a mobile email device. | | | | transparent to the people who normally contact you |
| - Service Expense - Plans can range from $4 per | | | | through email. |
| month to $70 per month to $15 per megabyte. Make | | | | - Test Your Account - Once your device is setup, |
| sure you understand how you will be charged and | | | | you should test it by sending yourself an email to |
| choose a plan that meets your needs. | | | | another account and replying to an email that came |
| - International Usage - Many plans only work in the | | | | to your mobile device. This testing is important to |
| US. If you travel a lot internationally, make sure you | | | | make sure you understand exactly what your emails |
| choose a plan that works where you need to be. | | | | will look like to others. Sometimes mobile email |
| Also make sure you understand the charges for | | | | services will automatically add in a signature line or |
| international roaming. Many plans will work, but charge | | | | otherwise change the emails being sent and you |
| a premium fee of up to $15 per megabyte. You can | | | | need to test it so you understand what to expect. |
| easily go through 50 megabytes in a month traveling | | | | - Email Reconciliation - Part of the reason for having a |
| abroad, so these charges can really add up. If you | | | | mobile email device is so you can deal with emails out |
| travel a lot you will probably want a provider that | | | | of the office. If your system is setup so you get |
| offers a flat fee for international usage. | | | | mobile emails, but then have to deal with each one |
| - Included Services - Some plans offer unlimited basic | | | | again, once you get back to your desktop, you may |
| email, but charge you extra for web browsing. | | | | be wasting more time that you are gaining. Look for |
| Others include web browsing and other types of | | | | a system that at a minimum allows you to delete an |
| data transfer as long as you are in a certain service | | | | email off of your mobile device and have it removed |
| area. Once again make sure you understand exactly | | | | from your desktop client automatically. |
| how you will be billed to avoid unexpected charges. It | | | | - Input Method - There are various kinds of input |
| is not unheard of for someone to get a $750 bill for | | | | methods for mobile devices. Some use a pen based |
| data usage that they thought was included in their | | | | input. Others require typing letters on a numeric |
| service plan. | | | | keyboard. Others have a mini QWERTY style |
| - Existing Email Accounts - For a device to be useful | | | | keyboard embedded in the device. Take the time to |
| to you, it needs to work with your existing email | | | | choose a device that you are comfortable using. |