A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Phone Plan
Phone companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, Nokia, and more continue to release new devices nearly every year. These phone makers all get busy doing so, which means it is also time for consumers to think about new, more affordable mobile plans.
If you plan to buy a new phone, it is also essential to consider choosing an affordable plan that will allow you to make significant savings on your communication budget. Keep in mind that cellular networks and smartphones keep getting faster, and that means you are likely to use your cell phone more and gobble up vast amounts of data than you did before. For instance, if you share a family plan, there is a chance you need more data each month.
You must have realized that wireless carriers sometimes run promotions providing discounts on new phones if only you are willing to switch to their network. So, it makes sense to research all cheap sim-only deals and choose a discounted phone plan that meets your requirements. This way, you won’t run out of your data, texts, or minutes before the end of the month.
It’s important to mention that telecommunications are among the most lucrative industries globally, and wireless carriers will always profit no matter what. This is the main reason you should be judicious and choose a plan that maximizes value. So, how do you choose the best sim-only deal?
Check network coverage
It does not matter the specific plan you choose if you end up on a cell network with lousy cell service. So, picking a network carrier with strong coverage in your region is the best starting point. How do you figure out the right cell phone network provider?
One way is to visit each network carrier’s website and check their coverage maps. This will give you a glimpse of whether your preferred network provider has deployed cell towers throughout your region. You can also contact the company and find out from their customer care representative whether they provide excellent services in your region or not.
Choose the right length phone contract.
You do not want to be tied into a phone plan for a long time. Sometimes, to get a good deal, most networks will expect you to sign up for a number of months or a year. Sure, it is possible to get rolling contracts with no commitments, but unless such deals are SIM-only, they are not going to be cost-effective.
Many networks will offer you the choice of a 12-month, 18-month, 24-month, or 36-month contract, with a decreasing cost as the contract length increases. Remember, it’s all about striking a balance. Though the extended, cheaper plans are obviously more appealing, you may not want to be tied in forever. After all, circumstances change, and you may want to change a mobile plan after some time. That means it is best to go for an 18-month contract or a 24-month contract.
Choose a deal with minimal overseas tariffs.
Do you reckon you will be going abroad at any time during the phone contract period? Even if you are not planning that trip right now, 24 months is a long time, and you might plan such a trip in the coming months. It makes sense to beware that data roaming and related expenses can cost you more than the usual tariff.
Sure, the European Union has regulations to ensure that using your cell phone in Europe costs no more than what you would pay while at home. However, using your phone outside this region involves hefty additional expenses. Thanks to Brexit, there is no legal guarantee that your cell network provider will not re-introduce roaming charges for using data within the continent.
Most major cell network providers have made it clear that they have no plans over introducing data roaming charges in Europe. But overseas tariffs will apply if you are making a lot of international calls. So, you must evaluate different phone deals and pick one that best suits your needs.
The wary of the contract fine print
Cell network carriers often offer attractive perks, like unlimited data anti-free international roaming packages just to persuade you to start using their networks. Do not let these simple Parks drive your decision because the chances are that they are caveats. As mentioned earlier, cell phone network providers are profit organizations, and no matter how attractive most perks are, there is always a way for them to make profits. So, choose carefully.
Just think about it. A carrier could offer free international roaming, which allows you a cellular data connection in multiple countries at no extra cost. In this case, the caveat is that free-forming only allows you to use slow wireless speeds, and you must pay extra if you need fast internet access.
