Cost

Whether your cell phone service provider calls it "media," "data" or simply makes a sale based on the allure of movies, Web and music, the chances are almost 100 percent that there's a cost. It's up to you, the buyer, to know it.

Unlimited Packages

Unlimited plans are enticing if you plan to use more media than you would pay for a flat rate. AT&T offered several media plans, as of December, 2009, including an unlimited package for $29.99 a month. Other packages, though less pricey, cost more in terms of per-unit of data usage. Verizon was charging $1.99 per megabyte of media as of December, 2009, buy only $10 a month for unlimited texting, video, pictures and Web use.

Know Your Phone

Buying an unlimited media plan could be a mistake if you have a phone that can't provide high-quality music or video. AT&T charges Apple's iPhone owners $30 per month for its data-usage plan.

Media

Most of the time, media includes pictures and video messaging, sound messaging or music downloads. The contract you sign may use other terms for those services. If you use more media than you signed up for, your provider won't stop you--it will simply charge you more.

Sticker Shock

According to a December, 2009, story published by MSNBC, a Hayward, Calif. man received a cell phone bill of nearly $22,000 because his son downloaded 1.4 million kilobytes of media, though his Verizon plan was not for unlimited downloading.

Peace of Mind

Buying an unlimited media plan for your cell phone is like bulk shopping. If you know you'll use it, the extra money you spend up front makes it a bargain.

Source:

AT&T Data Plans

MSNBC

Verizon Data Plans