Phones, broadband and TV: mobile phone operators
When shopping around for a mobile phone operator, start by deciding on which of the two main types of contract suits you best:
- "Bill pay", where you receive a monthly bill for calls after you've made them
- "Pre-pay", where you buy call credit or "top-up" in advance in order to make calls.
Within both these types of contract there are also many variations, so the next step is to estimate your usage patterns for a typical month.
For example, work out how many calls you'd make to other mobile phones, how many to landlines, how many SMS messages you're likely to send, how many calls you would probably make if abroad on holiday, and so on.
Then use a price comparison website such as Callcosts.ie to calculate the likely prices if you were using different packages. Some of these sites have an online calculator which you can use to add up charges such as:
- Connection charges
- Monthly rental fees
- Call costs
- Disconnection and reconnection charges
- International roaming charges
Remember, though, that price isn't the only factor in getting good value. For example, find out about the operator's reliability, its network coverage, and what roaming agreements it has.
Ask other people you know if they use the operator and what they think of the service.
In the terms and conditions, check whether there is a penalty for ending the contract early. Also find out whether the company can suspend a pre-pay account if you don't top up your credit after so many months or don't make any calls in that time.
Remember that there are fairly easy and quick procedures for consumers to switch from one phone company to another, whether this is for your mobile or your line at home, and you are allowed to keep your old number.
Check your contractual obligations to your existing operator before deciding to switch. If you are switching mobile operator, remember too that you may need to upgrade your handset, for example when moving from a 2G to a 3G service.
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