If you have a smartphone in your pocket, now is a good time to send a simple text.
April is just a few days away, and although that means lighter evenings and warmer weather, it also brings bad news for those monthly bills. All of the UK’s biggest mobile networks – such as EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 – have all announced yearly price hikes which will kick in from April 1.
Some bills will rocket by a whopping 6%, which means a customer currently paying £100 for their family’s smartphones will suddenly face a fee of £106 per month.
If that sounds too much for your bank balance to cope with – or you simply don’t want to give your network any more money – there is a simple way to beat the hikes.
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Telecom experts are recommending that UK phone owners send a simple text before next week’s deadline, which will reveal whether it’s possible to switch suppliers without paying a penalty charge. The team at TotallyMoney says all phone owners should just tap the word INFO into their devices and send it 85075.
Once that text has been posted you should get an instant reply from your 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 deal ends, you will own the phone. However, many continue to pay the original price rather than switching to a cheaper SIM-only plan and could end up costing hundreds of pounds extra per year.
Some SIM deals can cost as little as £5 per month, so there are huge savings to be made.
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“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 from networks will depend on your contract and when you joined. You should have received a letter through the post, a text, or an 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.