How to beat the mobile price hikes

With mobile users set to be hit with price hikes of up to 17.3 per cent in April, many people will be wondering whether to fix their contract now or switch to another deal. 

Mobile providers are entitled to increase prices mid-contract in response to the inflation rate. This is typically set out in your mobile contract’s terms and conditions. These hikes apply to all types of monthly mobile contracts, including SIM only deals. 

 Uswitch.com mobile expert, Catherine Hiley, shares how you can bring down the cost of your mobile phone bill: 

• • • “Switch now: If your mobile contract is coming to an end, or even if your contract ends in a few months, it could work out better to switch to a cheaper deal now. You may have to pay an early exit fee, but if the monthly price of your next contract is low enough, you could end up paying less overall. You can find your contract’s end date on your network’s app or by contacting your network provider directly. 

    • Alternatively, you can check the cost of your exit fees by texting INFO to 85075. This is a free way to get up-to-date information about your current mobile package. Usually, for exit fees, you’d be expected to pay for each month you have left on your contract term. Therefore, if you have just entered a new contract, cancelling is likely to cost you a lot more than you’d save by switching (unless you’re within your 14-day cooling-off period). 

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• • • Seek alternatives: Take the time to compare mobile deals to see if you’re getting what you need. SIM only deals are perfect if you already have a phone you’re happy to keep using, or if you’d rather just pay for a handset outright without a long-term contract attached.

    • There are a huge range of plans available, from low cost deals to unlimited data. Also, many SIM only deals are available on monthly rolling contracts, giving you freedom and flexibility. If you’re on a 30-day contract, you can easily switch to a cheaper deal if you’re unhappy about your bill going up. You will just have to give your existing network 30 days’ notice. 

• • • Negotiate: From estimating how much data you’re likely to need each month for the duration of your contract, to work out which network will best suit your needs, picking the right plan can be a bit of a minefield.

    • Before calling different providers, take the time to compare the current deals that are available and decide how much you are willing to pay. If you are looking to negotiate a new deal with your current provider, also bear in mind any previous problems you have faced with your network. Your network will want to retain as many customers as possible, so relaying these issues could help bring them down on price, or earn you some extras, such as data add-ons.

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• • • Reach out for support: If you find yourself in financial difficulties, be sure to let your provider know, as you might be eligible for a unique social tariff that can help to lower your bills.”