Advice on Choosing Your Phone Plan
When you choose a phone plan, you elect a post-paid payment option.
Usually, a minimum monthly spend is specified, which includes a set call rate, a data package and various bonus features for which you must pay every month.
The carrier will then usually bill you monthly for the set amount plus whatever you use over that figure.
Often, mobile phone plans include a handset in the cost of the plan.
With the smorgasbord of carriers, phones and plans to choose from, selecting the right one for you can be difficult.
Here are a few questions you should ask before selecting your plan.
- Which carrier do I want to use? In Australia, the main mobile phone carriers are Vodafone, Telstra, Optus, Virgin Mobile and 3.
Often, phone carrier choice comes down to personal preference or loyalty to a carrier that you have used for a while.
While reception and service is quite equal across the board, if you live in regional or rural NSW generally Telstra or Optus plans will give you the best coverage.
- How much will I be using my phone and how much data do I need? Phone plans are differentiated from one another by their specific call rates and data limits.
Consider how much you actually use your phone, and whether you need a high data limit to use applications, download data and access the internet off your handset.
Match your level of phone use to a plan.
- Is your phone for business or personal use? Most carriers offer business and personal plans that cater to the different needs of each user.
Those who elect business plans are likely to use the phone primarily for calls, and thus they usually have lower call rates.
Personal plans are catered to those who use their phone for a variety of uses, from calls to texts to the internet.
- What is the length of my contract? Mobile carriers are able to offer handsets, lower call rates and high data packages through their plans because customers are required to sign contracts that are usually 12 or 24 months in length.
If you wish to leave a plan early, you'll have to pay an early exit fee.
Often 24 month contracts offer the best call rates, text message rates and data packages, however you are locked into that plan for 24 months so it's important to consider your current and future phone needs.
There are a few other things to consider when choosing your mobile phone plan.
If there is a specific phone that you would like, check if the carrier offers phone plans that are specific to that phone.
The popularity of the iPhone, for example, means that most carriers offer specific iPhone plans which include the cost of the phone in the monthly payments.
We've all heard the horror stories of unsuspecting customers getting hit with exorbitant phone bills because they didn't understand data limits or call rates.
Make sure you do your research and compare phones and plans so that you get the best deal for you and your budget.
Usually, a minimum monthly spend is specified, which includes a set call rate, a data package and various bonus features for which you must pay every month.
The carrier will then usually bill you monthly for the set amount plus whatever you use over that figure.
Often, mobile phone plans include a handset in the cost of the plan.
With the smorgasbord of carriers, phones and plans to choose from, selecting the right one for you can be difficult.
Here are a few questions you should ask before selecting your plan.
- Which carrier do I want to use? In Australia, the main mobile phone carriers are Vodafone, Telstra, Optus, Virgin Mobile and 3.
Often, phone carrier choice comes down to personal preference or loyalty to a carrier that you have used for a while.
While reception and service is quite equal across the board, if you live in regional or rural NSW generally Telstra or Optus plans will give you the best coverage.
- How much will I be using my phone and how much data do I need? Phone plans are differentiated from one another by their specific call rates and data limits.
Consider how much you actually use your phone, and whether you need a high data limit to use applications, download data and access the internet off your handset.
Match your level of phone use to a plan.
- Is your phone for business or personal use? Most carriers offer business and personal plans that cater to the different needs of each user.
Those who elect business plans are likely to use the phone primarily for calls, and thus they usually have lower call rates.
Personal plans are catered to those who use their phone for a variety of uses, from calls to texts to the internet.
- What is the length of my contract? Mobile carriers are able to offer handsets, lower call rates and high data packages through their plans because customers are required to sign contracts that are usually 12 or 24 months in length.
If you wish to leave a plan early, you'll have to pay an early exit fee.
Often 24 month contracts offer the best call rates, text message rates and data packages, however you are locked into that plan for 24 months so it's important to consider your current and future phone needs.
There are a few other things to consider when choosing your mobile phone plan.
If there is a specific phone that you would like, check if the carrier offers phone plans that are specific to that phone.
The popularity of the iPhone, for example, means that most carriers offer specific iPhone plans which include the cost of the phone in the monthly payments.
We've all heard the horror stories of unsuspecting customers getting hit with exorbitant phone bills because they didn't understand data limits or call rates.
Make sure you do your research and compare phones and plans so that you get the best deal for you and your budget.