How to get a better mobile phone deal in the UK
T here’s a dizzying array of mobile phone tariffs, and with many providers recently imposing above-inflation increases, it is even more important to choose the right deal. So how can you navigate the networks to get a plan that is right for you? What are the top tips for saving money?
Most phone users (78%) had a monthly subscription, or contract, for their phone in mid-2022, according to the UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom. There are usually charges for leaving contracts midway through but, thanks to changes to the rules, providers are now obliged to tell you when you are reaching the end of a contract. Then you can make a swift change to a cheaper deal without incurring costs.
“Normally what [your existing provider] will do is recommend some deals to you but they are often not the best options,” Catherine Hiley, a mobiles expert at the comparison site Uswitch, says. “It’s such a competitive market that you’ll almost certainly find a deal that’s better. In some cases, even if you swapped your existing handset for the latest smartphone, you could still save £83 a year, and you’d have a new, better phone and probably more data as well.”
Rob Baillie, a mobiles expert at the comparison site MoneySuperMarket, agrees.
“Upgrading directly through your current network can work out more expensive, and it’s often cheaper to switch to a different provider. Ask your current provider what deal they can offer you, then compare it with offers on comparison websites.”
And if you have good coverage in your area with the network you are on, but want to benefit from lower costs, there are ways to make that work. “If you’d prefer to stay on the same network, you can switch to a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses the same network
Read more on theguardian.com
