Is your mobile phone tariff right for you?

Does your mobile phone bill vary from month to month? Do you find you sometimes get a shock when it arrives and is higher than you expected it to be?

Many consumers are over-paying for their telecoms services each month, but there are some simple tips you can follow to save yourself some money.

Decide whether a pay-as-you-go or pay monthly contract would better suit your usage. For those who rarely use their phone, a pay-as-you-go contract would probably be more cost effective. If you primarily use the internet when connected to wi-fi and for the odd emergency phone call, it might not be worth having a cheap monthly Sim deal.

Be careful when making international calls. Especially living in Jersey, it’s easy to forget that some calls may be classified as international and carry extra charges. You may consider other methods of communication, such as Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom or Facetime, to avoid international fees on your bill.

Don’t be afraid of changing provider. If you’re not happy with the service you’re receiving, or the prices you’re paying, then shop around for better deals with another provider. Phone companies are always looking to entice new customers so you may even find great introductory deals. Just be aware of any extra charges once the ‘honeymoon’ period is over – and make sure your existing contract with your current provider has definitely finished, so you don’t get charged for leaving them.

Check your roaming charges. If you’re travelling abroad, or to the UK, then make sure you understand the charges you’ll incur for using roaming data on your existing contract. Is data roaming included in your package, or do you need to buy a data roaming bolt-on? And if roaming is included, do you know what countries it does and doesn’t apply to? Some local phone providers even charge you for using your roaming data while you’re on Condor Ferries to France. Check your contract carefully to avoid an unexpected bill.

Do you know what ‘Unlimited’ data actually means? Many people exceed their data allowance, even with ‘Unlimited’ packages, as they may have hidden limits on a customer’s data usage. Check what your ‘Unlimited’ package actually gives you. You can reduce your data usage by turning off background data.

Your phone contract could be wrong for you. Research has shown that many people are on the wrong mobile phone tariff, with the majority rarely using their full text, minute or data allowance. Analyse your usage and see if another, cheaper package could better suit your needs.

Set up a spend cap. Some telecoms providers allow you to limit usage outside your monthly allowance. This can help prevent roaming charges from costing you dearly and can give you better control over your final phone bill.

Shop around. Jersey currently has three mobile phone providers. Do not be afraid to take your bills to a competitor to see if they can offer you a contract that will save you money.