Consumers could save significant amounts of money* every year by switching to the best mobile package for their needs, new figures show today. Examples of case studies from Ofcom accredited comparison website BillMonitor show how much consumers could save.
A new guide published today by Ofcom, Consumer Focus and the Communications Consumer Panel is designed to help consumers get the most from their mobile deal and save money.
The guide provides helpful tips on what information you should know from a provider before buying, such as whether there are any additional costs, the length of contract, details on upgrades and network coverage.
With a range of deals and choice available to consumers today, the guide explains the differences between pay-as-you-go and contract. It advises consumers to use BillMonitor (www.billmonitor.com), so far the only Ofcom-accredited site to cover mobile, to shop around and ensure they get the best deal.
The guide also advises on how to get the best deal from a mobile provider, such as checking out mobile coverage in the UK before buying and switching to cheaper online billing. There are also tips on using mobile phones abroad and how to keep your mobile number when changing provider.
Ed Richards, Ofcom’s Chief Executive said: “Ofcom wants to ensure that consumers are getting the best from their mobile deal. This guide is designed to help consumers make informed decisions and to get the best from what’s on offer in the market today.”
Consumer Focus Chief Executive, Mike O’Connor said: “With more than nine million mobile phone deals available, it’s hardly surprising that only one in five of us find it easy to navigate this market. By using this handy guide, and accredited switching site BillMonitor, consumers should be better armed to find the best deal for their needs and save money.”
Communications Consumer Panel Chair, Anna Bradley said: “The Panel is pleased to have contributed to this useful consumer guide that highlights the value of consumers checking the coverage that they will get, and whether they can cancel the contract if the actual coverage does not meet their needs – before they choose a provider.”
The guide can be downloaded here: www.ofcom.org.uk/files/2010/03/mobiledeal_v2b.pdf
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
*According to Ofcom accredited price comparison website BillMonitor. Applies to contract deals only and based on analysing consumer bills. For further information go to www.billmonitor.com. Examples of specific case studies are below.
Example one: total saving around £150 a year. A consumer on a 75 minutes and 200 texts package pays £24 per month on average (but uses 92 minutes and sends only 24 texts per month). By switching at the end of their contract to a SIM only package with the same provider (which does not include a new handset) offering 300 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited calls to landlines, they could cut their bill to £11.55 a month, saving £12.45 a month (or around £150 a year).
Example two: total saving around £80 a year. Another consumer on a 24 month contract, which provides 1200 minutes, 1000 texts and unlimited data, pays £47 a month (and uses on average 546 minutes, 832 texts and 300MB of data). If they switch to a plan with the same provider which includes a new handset with 900 minutes, unlimited texts and data for an average bill of £40.41, they would save £6.59 a month (or around £80 a year).
- Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
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Consumer Focus is the independent champion for consumers in the UK, created from the merger of energywatch, Postwatch and the National Consumer Council (including the Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils). Consumer Focus is the voice of the consumer, and works to secure a fair deal on their behalf.
- The Communications Consumer Panel was established to advise Ofcom and other bodies on the consumer interest in the markets it regulates. The Panel is independent and sets its own agenda. Visit www.communicationsconsumerpanel.org.uk for more information.
- For further information about Ofcom please visit: www.ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom’s news releases can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/media/
CONTACTS
Ofcom
Elizabeth de Winton
elizabeth.dewinton@ofcom.org.uk
(+44) (0)300 123 4000
Consumer Focus
John Cottrill / Emma Adler
john.cottrill@consumerfocus.org.uk
emma.adler@consumerfocus.org.uk
(+44) (0)20 7799 8007 or 8004
Out of Hours: (+44) (0) 20 7799 8000
Communications Consumer Panel
Siân Evans
media@communicationsconsumerpanel.org.uk
(+44) (0) 20 8674 8921 / (+44) (0)7713997510
