A guide to mobile phone deals

Be careful when looking at mobile phone deals. Take into account that the initial price is not the only point to consider, but that the long-term tariff might not quite suit your pocket.
In this article find some tips to save cash and a quick check list of things to consider when looking at mobile phone deals.

The first thing to consider is whether you are looking for a new mobile phone handset, or if you’re happy with your current model. If you’re content using your current model, your mobile provider should be more than willing to offer you reduced monthly rates. This is simply because the cost of a new mobile phone is worked into the contract, which could stretch over a period of two years.

If you’re happy with your current phone, but would like to switch to a different service provider, the SIM only deal could be the perfect option for you. This allows you to continue using your current phone on a different network. This type of deal is usually available with a 30 day contract.
SIM only packages are generally much cheaper than traditional mobile phone deals, since the cost of a new phone is not added to the package.

Before choosing a tariff, take a look at your previous monthly bills to try and estimate how many texts you send and how much airtime you use. This should give you an idea of what type of package you need to choose, since choosing a deal with more minutes would be unnecessary, while choosing a deal with too little airtime will leave you wanting.
Consider also which networks your friends and/or family make use of, since many mobile providers offer special deals on same-network calls and texts.

Another very important point to consider is network coverage. No point going for the cheapest deal, but the coverage is less than ideal. Find out from friends and family about their experiences with their mobile providers.

Check what the coverage is like in your area. When friends visit, do their mobile phones have good or bad reception and compare mobile phone deals?

It is especially important to know what the coverage of a mobile phone provider is if you plan on using the phone for internet purposes, since a slow connection will leave you frustrated.