Cell Provider Comparison
========================
:author: Aaron Ball
:email: nullspoon@iohq.net


A few years ago, I was researching cell phone providers, and noticed a distinct
lack of _real_ information for an accurate comparison. It seems that everyone's
monthly rates are comprised of different numbers; they charge up front for the
phones, or they don't, or they kind of do; all of the devices cost different
amounts between the different providers; etc. The only real number that was of
any use, was calculating the total 24 month cost (the duration of a contract,
whether they say they have them or not), since in the end that's what really
mattered.  Consequently, I decided to build myself a spreadsheet containing all
of this information in an attempt to gather it all in one useful place.

[[a-few-preliminary-notes]]
A few Preliminary Notes
-----------------------

* The information in this spreadsheet _should_ be accurate as of
  **2014.12.22**.

* The T-Mobile "Monthly Cost (no phone)" cell is accurate up to three
  phones because I haven't written the logic into the cell to handle more than
  that.

* Each cell who's value isn't immediately obvious most likely has a
  comment. Please hover over the cell to see each comment for more information.

* Each of the values that has something to do with a phone compares the
  LG G3 where possible for as accurate a comparison as possible.

[[the-files]]
The Files
---------

* For *OpenOffice/LibreOffice* users: link:files/Cell_comparison.ods[Cell_comparison.ods]
* For *Microsoft Office* users: link:files/Cell_comparison.xlsx[Cell_comparison.xls]