Cell phone service costs drop

The average cost of monthly cellular telephone service in 25 major U.S. cities dropped less than 1 percent in March, according to a survey by industry watchers Econ One. Prices dropped an average of 0.3 percent compared with February, the survey said. Two Florida cities showed the greatest percentage increases of the 25 surveyed. The price of a month of cell phone service in Miami rose 2.8 percent to $38.99. Tampa increased 1.8 percent to $38.76. San Francisco had the largest decrease--2 percent to $43.34. The five most expensive cities surveyed in February--San Francisco, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Boston and New York--were also the most expensive in March.