Keep Phone and Internet Costs Down
Jan 14, 2012
With the cost of living skyrocketing, for most households getting the best deal on necessities such as phone and internet is a priority. There are a few simple tips you can follow to make sure you are getting the best value for your hard earned pounds.
Know your needs
When will you be using your phone the most? Many suppliers offer packages with special rates usually divided into three areas; weekend rates, weekend and evening rates and anytime rates and making the most of these packages can help keep your costs down. Will you be calling overseas often? Most providers have offers for regular international calls that can minimise costs. It’s also a good idea to know what mobile providers you are likely to be calling regularly as phone companies may charge different rates for different mobile companies.
In terms of your internet, you need to consider what you will be using it for and this will help determine the speed of internet you need. Generally, if you are a light internet user, only checking emails or surfing the web you are likely to suit a lower package somewhere around the 1.5Mb to 5Mb mark. If you want to stream music videos, download films and do a lot at once then you may need a higher download speed, closer to 8Mb or more. Of course, the higher the speed means the higher the cost. Be careful not to overestimate how fast you need your internet. It is much easier to upgrade your package than downgrade it.
Shop around
It’s easy to shop around for the best deals on your phone and internet by utilising price comparison websites such as confused.com. You want to look out for the packages that best suit your needs as well as including cheap line rental and cheap call rates. Gather the best three or four quotes and phone the companies direct or pop into their stores to speak to someone in further detail.
Payment methods
Usually paying by direct debit will mean a small discount off the price, which is always a bonus. Bundling your services onto the one bill could also entitle you to extra savings.
Customer Service
Good customer service can save hours of wasted time and unnecessary stress and can make a big difference to your experience, particularly if you are a business relying heavily on your phone and internet. Look for a company with a good reputation for quality customer service and investigate what methods the company has for contacting their support team. A 24 hour service is vital as is a good website which provides regular service updates.
Extras
There are extras you can add to your phone and internet packages such as calling features like voicemail, call waiting and caller display or internet features such as security, online storage and WiFi access. These extras may come at a cost but if they are something you would consider anyway it is worth comparing these prices.
Making the switch
If you are changing from one provider to another, there are important questions you need to consider such as do any cancellation fees apply? Can the new company take care of the rollover? Will you get to keep your phone number and/or email address? How long will it take to get connected? Are there any incentives involved to switch to the new provider? What are the new contract terms?
Searching for a good deal on your internet and phone is more important than ever and by following a few simply rules it is easy to do.
Matilda Brown writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

