It’s almost April and that means millions of us are about to be hit by numerous price hikes, including paying extra for using our smartphones. All of the big networks – including Vodafone, O2, EE and Three – have confirmed percentage increases for users, with some bills going up by over six percent.
If that sounds like too much for your bank balance to cope with, experts are recommending sending a simple text today. The team at TotallyMoney says all phone owners should tap the word INFO into their devices and send it to the number 85075.
Once that’s been posted, a reply will then be sent by the network showing whether you are still tied to a contract and if you are free to leave.
According to the latest stats, around a third (29%) of mobile customers are out of contract, meaning they could switch to a new provider without having to pay any additional charges.
It’s always good to check your contract, especially if you purchased a device – such as the iPhone – via a network, as most of the monthly price paid goes towards the device itself.
Once the 24 or 36-month deal has ended, you then own the phone, but many continue to pay inflated costs rather than switching to cheaper SIM-only plan.
Some SIM deals can cost as little as £5 per month, so there are huge savings to be made.
“With several mobile providers hiking prices over the next few weeks, millions of customers could be seeing their bills soar this spring,” Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney
“But a third of people are out of contract, meaning they’re free to look for cheaper, and better offers without being charged early exit fees.
“There are some great deals available, and you could save a considerable amount money by moving to a new provider. Just shop around and remember to check the network coverage. If you like to travel, then look out for roaming charges to avoid any nasty surprises when you get back home.
“If you’re reluctant to leave your current provider then it’s worth picking up the phone and speaking to them about getting a better deal. The truth is that they won’t want you to move to a competitor and will probably make you an offer to stay. Just remember that loyalty doesn’t pay, but moving to a new contract can.”
The hikes coming from networks will depend on what your contract is and when you joined. You should have recieved a letter through the post, a text or email explaining how much extra you’ll soon pay.
On average, things are rising by around six percent – that means those currently paying £50 per month will face a £3 hike.
The new pricing starts on April 1, so now is a good time to send that text and make some simple changes.
