With new phones coming out every year, promoted by adverts shouting about their capabilities, its easy to fall into a cycle of regularly getting a new phone on a contract. However, the terms of these contracts can tie you down for years, with ever-increasing prices and charges for roaming and other extras.
If you're tempted by one of the many discounts and the lure of a shiny new handset, check our advice before before you sign on the dotted line.
1. Buying outright rather than on contract
Look at the total cost of a phone before agreeing to a long-term contract. Networks often try and pair a phone contract with an expensive, high data Sim which could also add unnecessary cost.
30 day rolling Sim, it's easy to switch if the price increases or you see a better option elsewhere.With phones getting pricier, many people are turning to longer contracts in order to reduce the monthly price. It's important to check contract length carefully, as what might look like a low monthly fee may not be as appealing if you're tied to it for 36 months instead of 24 - you may end up paying more money in the long run.
2. Signal quality
Found the right deal with the right provider? Don't forget to check to see if you'll get good coverage. Not just at home, but also at your workplace, on your commute, or other areas you like to regularly go to.
If you're moving to a provider on the same network to one you're currently using, you'll already know whether the signal is good, or needs improving. Check the table below to find out which network your provider uses.
If you want to be extra sure that reception is good before you enter into a lengthy contract, try picking up a cheap pay-as-you-go Sim from the network in question and trying it out first.
3. Price rises
Always check the terms and conditions. Price rises calculated using inflation rates or percentages have been banned by Ofcom, but networks now use annual increases, defined in pounds and pence, to drive up the cost of your contract over time.
Therefore, if you want to make sure that the price you are paying for stays consistent, you are better off finding a provider which does not bake in price rises.
4. Roaming costs
Since Brexit, EE, Three and Vodafone all reinstated mobile roaming charges in the EU, so it's worth checking what your provider's roaming plans are, and in general how much it costs to use your phone in a country you're travelling to. Many of the smaller providers offer free EU roaming, with Lebara and iD Mobile allowing the most at 30GB.
Outside of the EU, the costs can be much higher. If roaming is important to you, consider opting for a monthly Sim-only contract with a roaming-friendly provider.
5. T&Cs on 'flexible' or trade-in contracts
Some mobile providers have flexible contracts, from 12 to 36 months, which let you trade in your phone for a new one. They're often billed as 'total flexibility' for those who want the latest handset.
Vodafone's EvoO2 RefreshEE's Upgrade AnytimeWhile this flexibility may be attractive to some, carefully consider whether you really need to upgrade a phone and what additional costs are incurred. Ultimately, you have to decide whether price or flexibility is the most important factor in choosing your next mobile contract, and how important it is that you always have the latest handset.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/things-to-check-before-you-sign-a-new-mobile-phone-contract-agj5a0g0Ydqc