Getting mobile service is a bit of an overwhelming process. There are plenty of mobile operators out there and all of them have a whole list of calling plans and options available to you. Today we’re talking about what those options are, and what you need to consider when signing up for service. So, if you’re wondering what the best way to get mobile service is, then keep reading to find out…
For Light Users: Pay As You Go…
If you don’t really use your phone that often, then the best plan for you is going to be a pay as you go plan. Light use means that you make a couple of short phone calls a day, send less than ten text messages, and use your 3G connection to send emails and for looking up web pages or directions a couple of times a week. Pay as you go means that you go to a mobile operator and buy a SIM card that you’ll insert into your phone to access that operator’s network. You buy credit for your phone, and use your it however you want until the credit runs out. When the credit is gone your phone will stop working and you’ll have to top up your credit again. For light users this is the ideal option because you only pay for the services that you actually use, as opposed to contract users who pay for a set of services whether they use them or not. Pay as you go is also the only option for people who don’t want to, or can’t, sign a contract.
For Other Users on a Budget: SIM Card Deals…
If you’re a moderate to heavy phone user and on a budget, the most cost effective way of getting service is with one of many SIM card deals. This will require that you sign a contract with a mobile operator, and you’ll receive a SIM and a calling plan, for which you’ll pay a monthly fee. Such deals have calling plans that are divided into three parts. There will be a limit for the amount of calling minutes that you can use per month, as well as a limit to the amount of text messages that you can send and the amount of mobile data you can use. You will pay the same amount per month whether you use your limits or even if you don’t use your phone at all. Should you go over your limits you will pay extra fees for the extra services that you use. You will need to have a mobile phone, or be willing to buy one, to use a SIM card plan.
For Other Users: Incentive Deals…
Incentive deals are similar to SIM card only plans, in that you receive a card and a calling plan for a set monthly fee, and you’ll be required to sign a contract. However, with these deals you also receive a mobile phone. The monthly costs for incentive deals are higher than they are for SIM card plans alone, which is how the operator can afford to give you a phone. If you don’t have a phone and can’t afford to buy one right away, then an incentive deal will let you get the phone you need as well as service.
Which Mobile Operator to Choose…
As a general rule you can let finances dictate which mobile operator you choose. Just go for the one that has the best calling plan for you at the best rates. But there is one thing to consider. Not all mobile operators have the same level of coverage in all areas. Coverage refers to how good the reception is in a certain area. If you don’t have good reception on your phone you might not be able to make calls or send messages, or you might get bad call quality. It’s important to check that the mobile operator you want to go with has good coverage in the areas where you spend most time. This is particularly true if you live outside of an urban area. Most mobile operators have a coverage map on their web site, and you can enter your post code to find out what coverage is like in your local area. If you want to choose a provider based on coverage, the OFCOM web site has a map that compares all operators in all parts of the country.
Which Calling Plan to Choose…
If you decide to sign a contract with a mobile operator, it’s important that you choose the right kind of calling plan for you. As we said above, calling plans have limits for the amounts of calling minutes, texts and data you can use each month. If those limits are too high, you’re going to be paying for services that you’re not using. If those limits are too low, then you’re going to be paying extra charges for going over your limits every month. So consider what you need very carefully. If you really don’t know what kind of calling plan you need it’s probably a good idea to go with a pay as you go plan for a couple of months so that you can see what your average monthly phone usage looks like and then choose a suitable calling plan.
When Signing a Contract…
There are two issues to think about when signing a contract with an operator. The first is that you must be legally eligible to sign a contract in the UK, meaning that you’re over eighteen and a formal UK resident. You will also probably be required to have a credit check, and if you fail this process you will not be able to sign the contract. The other issue is to do with contract length. All major mobile operators offer either twenty four month or twelve month contracts, with some also offering an eighteen month contract option. In general, the longer your contract the cheaper your monthly payments will be.
Published on behalf of Mr. Phil Turner liked the handset he already had, but wanted to change his service provider. He checked out sim card deals on uSwitch.com which worked out cheaper as he was not paying a premium for the handset.
