Guide to GPS Cell Phones

Purchase GPS cell phones or satellite phones

All of the major cell phone service providers offer GPS cell phones or satellite phone, but there can be a big difference in coverage areas, which could hamper the effectiveness of a GPS cell phone or satellite GPS phone.

I recommend: See if Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T offer coverage in your area before purchasing a global satellite phone from them.

Compare GPS service providers

Find a GPS service provider that is compatible with your phone. Compare prices, accuracy of maps and other services.

I recommend: All of the service providers charge a monthly fee for turn-by-turn directions. A few of the better ones include TeleNav, Nextel, and Smart2Go. Smart2Go also requires a separate Bluetooth receiver and a memory card.

Consider purchasing GPS services from your cell phone provider

Many cell phone providers offer their own GPS navigation services. Subscribing to these services ensures compatibility with the service provider, but you still need to ensure that your GPS satellite cell phone is compatible.

I recommend: Check with your service provider to find out which GPS services it offers. Some of the more popular services include VZNavigator from Verizon, Sprint Navigation and other GPS services from Nextel, and TeleNav from AT&T.

Download free maps

Many websites offer free maps for specific GPS phones or so-called smartphones, such as those manufactured by Palm (Treo and Centro) and Research in Motion (Blackberry).

I recommend: Check out Google Maps, Mapquest and Boost Mobile for free maps and downloadable software. Make sure your GPS phone is compatible before downloading anything from these services.