1. Are you always on the move?

If you stay at home most of the time or own a pager that does not even receive a page in a week, the public phone would most likely satisfy your calling needs. Of course, you can also consider pre-paid SIM cards that are can be purchased from most service providers, but then the cost of a phone will be quite unjustifiable, as are the high charges for such pre-paid accounts.

2. Let your country's subscription rates decide for you

Subscription rates are rather low in some countries as compared to others in the Asian region. In fact, in some countries, subscription rates are comparable to the that for using a message pager. In this case, signing a two-year contract period with a service provider can get you a phone at subsidized rates in your favour.

3. Public phones not for you?

Are you easily annoyed when you cannot find a card phone? Upset by the long queue or high incidence of breakdown? Deterred by the hassle of always having to keep coins and a few phone cards in your wallet? Need to return an important call but you are in a bus? Also, some phone-based services require you to have an identifiable phone number, and public phones just don't count!

If you do, have a look at the other factors to consider, and maybe you really should head for the nearest mobile phone shop to get your mobile phone now!

4. Work and business benefits outweigh the costs

Business people from all walks of life can reap benefits from being contactable and being able to reach out to the world, on the move. If you are a cabby, you should own one, too, just in case your car breaks down in the middle of expressway...

5. "I want it because all my friends have one!"

On its own, that's not a good excuse to get a mobile phone, as you may not be fully utilizing it. While keeping up with your friends via your very own phone can help to strengthen the relationship, the converse may also be true -- mobile phones can dampen relationships by reducing the need for direct contact!

6. Privacy

Are nuisance calls to you home telephone disturbing your peace? Just got to know someone you're interested in and need to be called but not at your home number? The mobile phone comes in very handy in such situations.

7. Personal hygiene

Used by people from all walks of life, public phones can be dirty and/or oily and smelly.

8. Health hazard

Mobile phone uses radio frequency (RF). Many people are discouraged as they are afraid that their brains will be 'fried' due to prolonged usage. However, all the mobile phones in the market are all certified to be safe as the radiation level is in the acceptable range, unless unauthorized modification have been done to the phone.

Learn how to make money with your mobile phone!