How to Compare Mobile Service Rates

by Sam Jones Content Creator and Link Builder

Whatever it is that you're looking to buy, it's always a good idea to comparison shop to make sure that you're getting the best price that you can get. And mobile service is no different. However, comparing different mobile tariffs can seem complicated. If you're looking to sign a new mobile contract, then today we're talking about how you can compare mobile service rates. If you follow our simple step by step guide, then you're sure to get the best rate on the market for the service that you need...

Compare Coverage First...

Before you can start choosing a plan, you'll need to know which operators you have to choose from. This means checking on coverage. An operator with poor coverage in your area will give you poor phone reception, so there's no point in including them in any comparison that you do. After all, if you're paying for a service you actually want it to work. A network with poor coverage means that you'll get bad call quality and slow mobile data speeds, and possibly that your phone won't work. In order to compare coverage, you should go to the OFCOM web site. There you'll find a comparative coverage map of the UK that includes all the major mobile service operators. Simply choose the ones that have the best coverage in your area.

Decide Whether You're Looking at Incentive or SIM Only Plans...

Next, you need to decide whether you're looking for an incentive contract or a SIM only contract. Both of these are going to give you a calling plan for service, but an incentive contract also gives you a free or low price mobile phone. In general, rates on incentive contracts will be higher than those on SIM only contracts, since this extra money will cover the cost of your phone. Plus, when you add up all the extra fees you'll probably end up paying more than the retail price of the phone that you're given. Signing a SIM only deal and buying your own phone is better for long term savings. However, if you don't have the cash to buy a phone out right, then an incentive deal might be for you.

What Kind of Calling Plan are You Looking For?

The next decision that you need to make is what kind of calling plan you need. It doesn't matter which contract you sign, you'll be asked to choose a calling plan. This is an important step, since the right calling plan is essential to save you money. A calling plan is going to give you a monthly limit for how many calling minutes and text messages you can use as well as for how much mobile data you can use. If these limits are too high for you, you will pay for services that you don't use, since you have to pay the same fee regardless of whether you use all or nothing. On the other hand if the limits are too small for you, then you'll break them, and that will mean paying some expensive extra fees for using extra services. Choose your calling plan carefully, maybe try looking at some of your old bills to see what your average monthly usage looks like.

Think About How Long Your Contract Should Be...

The final decision that you need to make is how long you want your mobile contract to be. In general, mobile contracts are either twelve months or twenty four months, but there are eighteen month options, and even thirty day options for SIM only contracts. A longer contract will mean that you need to stay with your operator for a longer time, so you can't switch networks to get a better service or cheaper payments. If you want to sign an incentive contract then a longer contract will mean that you have to wait longer to get a free upgrade on your phone. But prices are cheaper on longer contracts, especially for incentive contracts, since the cost of your phone will be spread out over more payments. It's really up to you how long you want to sign up for, but a longer contract will be better simply because it's cheaper.

Now You Can Compare Mobile Tariffs...

Now you have all the information that you need to compare tariffs, and have significantly narrowed down your choices. Of course, you can go to each operator's web site, or even to each operator's shop, and look at the kinds of tariffs they offer. But the easiest way to compare mobile tariffs is to do it online. There are plenty of mobile tariff comparison sites, and this makes the process a lot simpler. You find a site and enter the kind of calling plan that you're looking for, with an average number of calling minutes, text messages and mobile data. With some sites you can also enter the length of the contract that you're looking for, and even choose which providers you want to compare. When you've done this, the site will give you a list of contracts with different operators that will meet your needs. You can then choose the contract that gives you the best price. Don't forget that you will need to ensure that the operator gives you good coverage. You may find that the best tariff deal doesn't come direct from a mobile operator. There are third party web sites that sell mobile contracts. These sites get commissions from operators for selling contracts, meaning that they can occasionally offer better deals to customers than operators can. Be cautious of cash rebate deals though. These mean that you'll pay full price with the offer of cash back later. Usually conditions for getting your rebate are stringent, and not many people end up being eligible for the full rebate. If you want security, you should probably deal directly with the mobile operator that you're interested in. Operators generally offer discounts if you buy contracts online, so this is worth keeping in mind.

Getting the right mobile tariffs was essential for Sam Jones. He made good use of uSwitch and similar comparison sites and got a great deal for all the family.