Time and Cost-Saving Tips

Because airtime charges can add up quickly if you use the wireless Web frequently, any steps you take to streamline your browsing process can save you a significant amount of money. A good start is to avoid having to re-input Web addresses every time you surf. Most phones have a "Favorites" type of feature that lets you save Web addresses so that you can get to them quickly on subsequent visits.

Not all phones enable you to input Web address; some only enable you to select from a list that you have set up via your carrier's Web site.

You also may be able to set your bookmarks and preferences for Web sites via a Web page using your PC. This way you can sit down and input all of your Web addresses, contacts, and e-mail addresses without adding to your airtime. Your provider may have the most popular wireless portals and sites bookmarked already. Check the list and add any sites that you frequent to save time when you're browsing with your phone.

Once you've signed into some sites you can remain logged in, even between wireless Web sessions. This can keep you from having to enter a long user-name/password combination when you visit the site again. (Be careful about doing this; you don't want to lose your phone if you've remained logged into an e-mail account like Yahoo e-mail, or MSN Hotmail or a shopping site like Amazon.com. Whoever finds your handset would then have access to those accounts and all of the information contained in them.)