People with mobile phone contracts have been hit with a warning as they may be overpaying for their usage.
For many users, phone bills rose at the beginning of April by as much as 17%.
But as many are likely to find themselves in a situation where their mobile phone is costing them a lot more than before, experts from the mobile phone retailer Fonehouse have said there are a number of ways to pay less for your phone contract.
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The retailer has split the advice depending on the consumer's current mobile situation; if they're still in contract, if their contract is ending, if they're out of contract, if they're on a rolling contract, if they're looking for a new contract or if they're looking for a new phone.
If you're still in contract
If you’re still in contract, unfortunately, there is little you can do right now as you usually can’t cancel your contract early without paying expensive exit fees - however it may be worth speaking to your current mobile network to see if you can move to a cheaper deal.
If your contract is ending
If your contract is coming to an end, you will be free to switch providers or ask for a better offer from your current network. If you do nothing when your contract ends, you’ll likely be moved on to a rolling plan and continue paying the same, whereas if you shop around, you may be able to get a better deal on your current usage.
If you're out of contract
Many people may be out of their contract without realising and have been rolled on to sometimes pricier tariffs without signing up for them. If you are out of contract, you can leave at any point penalty-free and either ask for a better offer from your current network or compare tariffs and switch providers for a more affordable deal.
If you are on a rolling contract
Rolling contract deals allow you to leave with just 30 days’ notice and are often the best way to beat price rises. If you’re on a rolling SIM-only contract, make sure to check your current plan regularly to see if other contracts on the market could offer a better deal, either with your current network or elsewhere.
If you're looking for a new contract
If you already own your handset and want to keep using it, you might find a SIM-only deal is best as they are a lot cheaper than a contract that comes with a phone. Inflationary hikes cover all kinds of monthly mobile contracts but if you’re on a 30-day SIM-only contract, you can leave at short notice.
It’s also important to make sure you’re only paying for the data you need. Check how much data you currently use to get a better idea of how much you need per month. If you’re using less data than your current contract provides, a contract with less data would be better and likely cheaper. If you regularly use more data than your contract includes, you should look for a contract that accommodates your usage without costing you more per month.
Keep an eye out for other money-saving options such as contracts that offer a cashback deal, where you can get money paid back into your bank account.
If you want to get a new phone
Shop around and look at available mobile phone deals to get the best price possible. While it's tempting to buy the newest handset, you're paying a premium for these devices. To save money, instead, look to purchase a previous model which will often have similar features or go for a refurbished or second-hand phone. You can also look to trade in or sell your old handset to gain money to go towards your new phone.
If you’re happy with your current contract, and perhaps the phone itself is experiencing some issues or is damaged, it’s always worth checking if this can be repaired. Common faults can often be easily rectified, meaning you don’t have to purchase a new handset, saving you money.
If you do decide to purchase a new phone, make sure you do the maths before jumping into a long-term contract. Do your research and find out if it would be cheaper to buy the phone outright or have it included as part of your monthly contract. If you can afford to buy the phone outright, a cheap SIM-only deal can help make future payments more predictable.
Think ahead when taking out a phone contract as whilst they allow you to spread the expense, if you are on a multi-year contract, it can be hit by several mid-contract price increases before it ends. This means the monthly price you are paying by the end of the contract could be significantly higher than at the start.
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