MOBILE phone bills are set to rise for millions of Brits this April, but there are ways to slash your costs and avoid being stung by sneaky mid-contract price hikes.
Experts from Compare the Market and Uswitch have shared their top tips to help you save cash and get the best deal possible.
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From this year, Ofcom has banned inflation-linked price rises in new phone contracts.
That means any mid-contract increases must now be clearly set out in pounds and pence when you sign up.
However, if you’re already in a contract, you could still be hit with a rise linked to inflation – so it’s worth checking if you’re still tied in.
Tom Lyon, Director at Compare the Market, said: “If you’re not sure if you’re still in contract, you can text the word INFO to 85075 for free.
Read more on reducing bills
” If you’re out of contract – beyond the minimum term – you could be paying too much for your phone bill.
“This is when you could find some significant savings by shopping around for other deals in the market, especially if you choose a SIM-only contract.”
SIM-only deals are a great way to save money, as they often come with shorter or rolling contracts, giving you the flexibility to switch if you decide to buy a new phone later.
Simrat Sharma, Uswitch mobiles expert, added: “Price hikes totalling an extra £36 million per month are set to hit mobile customers across the country from April – but it’s not too late to switch to a better deal and beat these price rises, starting with that simple text message.”
“If you are out of contract, you are likely to be overpaying, as new customers typically get the best deals.
“This is especially true for handset customers, as you will have already paid off the cost of your phone, yet your monthly bill will at best be the same, but most likely increasing as a result of price rises on the airtime portion of your bill.
“Currently, more than 33 million Brits are out of contract on their mobile plan and can switch today to start saving.”
How to haggle like a pro
If you’re nearing the end of your contract or already out of it, now’s the time to haggle.
Tom Lyon shared his top tips for getting the best deal from your provider:
- Do your research – Check out what other providers are offering and find a strong deal to use as leverage.
- Speak to the right team – When you call your provider, make it clear you’re thinking of leaving. This will usually get you through to the disconnections team, who are more likely to offer you a better deal to keep you as a customer.
- Set a budget – Know exactly what you’re willing to pay and stick to it.
- Ask for extras – Some providers might throw in freebies like subscription services, roaming add-ons, or extra data to sweeten the deal.
- Be ready to walk away – If your current provider won’t budge, don’t be afraid to switch to a new one.
Top tips for SIM-only deals
If you’re happy with your current handset, switching to a SIM-only deal could save you a packet.
Simrat Sharma from Uswitch said: “If you have a phone you have already paid for and you’re out of contract, switching to a SIM-only deal is another simple way to save more than £350 per year on average.
“Several SIM-only providers, such as SMARTY and Lebara, offer a range of data allowance options, often including free EU roaming and no mid-contract price rises.”
How to find the best sim-only deals
Here’s how to find the best SIM-only deal:
- Shop around – Use price comparison websites like Compare the Market and Uswitch to see what’s out there.
- Check your data usage – Don’t overpay for unlimited data if you’re only using a small amount. You can usually check your usage in your provider’s app or your phone’s settings.
- Look for cashback or vouchers – Some deals come with cashback or voucher offers that can reduce the cost of your contract.
- Read the small print – Make sure to check if your SIM-only deal has a mid-contract price rise or not.
With price hikes on the horizon, there’s no better time to take control of your mobile bills.
Whether you’re haggling with your current provider, switching to a SIM-only deal, or shopping around for a new contract, these expert tips could save you hundreds of pounds a year.
CUT YOUR TELECOM COSTS
SWITCHING contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills, Chief Consumer Reporter, James Flanders, explains.
But if you can’t switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you’d be best to hold off until it’s up for renewal.
But don’t just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you’re currently paying.
Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you’re a heavy internet user, it’s worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don’t have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.
It’s a known fact that new customers always get the best deals.
Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider.
This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.
However, if you don’t want to switch and are happy with the service you’re getting under your current provider – haggle for a better deal.
You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you’re given after your deal.
If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time.
Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning.
This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won’t have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels.
It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers.
Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider.
If your provider won’t haggle, you can always threaten to leave.
Companies don’t want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you.
It’s also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
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