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 Money
Page > Utilities
> Mobile - UK Guide
 Introduction
Since
the late 1980s, the humble cell phone has steadily increased
in popularity and evolved beyond our wildest dreams. What was
once a brick-sized gadget that could do little else other than
make and take phone calls has become a tiny device that can do
almost everything short of clean the house and cook your
lunch! The mobile phone has become a household device used by
everyone from young kids to the elderly. You can select from
pay as you go and contract mobile phones, and over recent
years we have seen a great increase in the number of mobile
phone service providers.
How do I find
out who serves my area?
Most mobile phone service
providers service a vast area, which means that you will enjoy
an even bigger choice without as many limitations as other
utilities. The Internet is a fast and efficient way to find
out which service providers are available, and what sort of
packages they can offer on your mobile phone
service.
What to look out
for
When looking for a contract mobile phone
service provider, it is important to consider the price per
call/text, and any offers on off-peak calls. Some providers
will offer free phones calls and text messages, which can be
very useful for those that use their phones a lot. You should
also look into payment methods, any special offers or rates
for new mobile telephone customers, and any package deals that
could save you more money (such as a free phone with your
mobile contract).
How do I
pay?
Most mobile phone providers now offer a wide
range of payment options, which means a higher level of
convenience and choice for consumers. Most telecom providers
enable you to pay via a bank or post office, or by calling the
provider and making a credit card or debit card payment. You
can also send a cheque for your monthly bill. Most providers
now encourage people to pay on a monthly basis via direct
debit, although there is no obligation to do so.
Money Saving
Tips
There are a number of ways in which you can
save money on the cost of your mobile phone bills. These
include:
Limit the use of your mobile during peak
times. Try and stick to off peak times or during times when
you have free calls (subject to deal offered by provider)
Paying by direct debit may get you a
discount with many mobile service providers, and this can help
to keep down unnecessary costs.
Look out for packages that offer free
calls or texts each month
How do I switch
accounts?
Although many people think that
switching must be a long winded and complicated process,
hundreds of people switch every week. All you have to do is
decide which company you want to switch to, and contact the
company to advise them. Then you simply let your old provider
know that you are switching, or the new company may do this
for you. This is the general procedure, but may change from
one provider to another. However, look out for any penalties
or notice periods that may apply with your current provider
before you switch.
Further
Reading
You can find out more about the mobile
phone service industry at the official regulatory board, the
Office of Communications: www.ofcom.org.uk
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