Normally, consumers dislike their network providers and phone carriers because of poor services and expensive contracts. However, with so many options and companies nowadays, the good thing is that those who are looking for a change are now able to explore other alternatives.
Customer satisfaction for various telecom companies has been mixed, and this is understandable. With so many people looking to curb their spending, they are also expecting to have a reasonable plan now that many people rely on calls, texts, and data to get information.
One of the keys to getting those big savings is having the knowledge of the available plans and deciding whether they are going to fit with your budget. Negotiating and tailoring a plan with your carrier is possible so you can avoid spending more money in the long run.
Free Mobile Subscriptions
It might sound too good to be true, but there are actually carriers that will provide you a free trial for a month or two so you can try their services. This is often the case with new customers who are eligible for a welcome gift and get the opportunity to sign up for a subscription where they are NOT locked in for 24 months, and this is completely free of charge.
After the period ends, you can either stay with the company or let the subscription run its course and switch to your preferred provider. This is now possible with gratis, where you’ll have an idea of whether you’re eligible for these free months as a trial. It’s your choice, and you shouldn’t go with salesmen who are aggressive in offering text and call packages to you. Before accepting an offer, here are the considerations that you need to make.
- What It’s Like with Your Local Coverage
Signals should exist all of the time, and slow internet speeds are a no-no. Talk to your providers and see a map of their networks and coverage if possible. You can generally visit their website or call a customer service representative if you’re planning to purchase a mobile contract with them. Living in the metro will give you a lot more options and mobile virtual network operators because you can easily get what you need.
However, it’s a different story from those in rural areas. Always see which ones are the best providers and choose that network to prevent headaches later on. This means that there will be few to no dropped calls, zero latencies, or frequent unsent text messages.
- How Much are you Going to Get Charged for Roaming?
Travelers who often need to go out of the country for work or leisure will have to call their carriers first. This way, they won’t receive a shock with their bills after a month or two. Subscribe to roaming so you can still use your number while you’re away. Bundled allowances are cheaper, and if you go to countries that are near where you live, you’ll have a chance to get better coverage without the expensive extra costs.
Avoid roaming charges with the right plan and get covered when you go to popular destinations like Australia, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, etc. You don’t have to be charged for excess fees when calling and using the internet are still part of your contract, but just make sure that you check the app of your provider to monitor your usage.
- Handsets that are Part of the Plan
Upgrades are very common for people who are subscribed to a plan for at least two years. You’re just going to pay for the monthly dues and make sure that you finish the contract to avoid early termination fees that include the price of the phone. However, most of them are going to be too expensive especially if you can get access to prepaid plans that can offer you the same amount of data and calls at a much cheaper price.
Calculate the payments, and if you really need a new handset, see if you can purchase it upfront. Know which one is cheaper and always be on the lookout for better offers. Financing a new device is possible with a plan package, but consider the annual percentage rate too.
- Amount of Data Needed
Working at home may help you save data when you’re constantly getting access to Wi-Fi. However, everything is different when you need more, and you’re always working in the field. Check your usage by going into the settings and see if your current plan is more than enough for your lifestyle. People who constantly watch YouTube or Netflix might find that an 8GB plan might not be enough for them, so consider getting unlimited watch time if possible.
- Switching Providers
After your 24-month period expires, you have the option to stay in your current provider or port your number to a new one. Some networks may offer you a welcome gift or a bonus that will last for a few months, and you don’t have to pay anything. This is a gratuity package that can encourage customers to switch. However, know that this isn’t always the best option, especially if the second telecom company does not provide you with a good service.
Phones can also be locked to the providers, specifically if you’ve gotten the device from them, so you might have to purchase a new one in order to use your SIM. When this is the case with you, get the SIM-only plans and buy a new phone outright.
Quality is Not Always a Guarantee
Know that even if you’ve signed up for a contract, the worse issues that you’re going to experience for the first few months can persist until you’ve finished paying for everything. They are not exactly a guarantee that you’re getting premium and top-tier services, and typically, you will be paying more with penalties and late fees if you’re not on time. This is always like a loan, and if the coverage is bad, you can expect to have several dropped calls even if you’re in the middle of a conversation.
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Early Termination Fees May Apply
Getting out of contract can be a bit complicated, and if you couple it with the worst customer service, then you might find yourself running out of the door before the expiration comes. However, if you’re satisfied with what you’re getting, then this is not going to be a problem at all. It’s only going to feel like a trap when you have to pay for very expensive early termination charges for a service that’s non-existent.
So, what if you just forget the whole thing and drop your phone plan? Well, even if you don’t use the calls or texts, or even damage the phone, you will still be committed to paying a monthly plan, as long as you don’t call and stop your contract. Not paying will mean finding yourself getting hourly calls from a collection agency, and this can affect your credit score over the long run. Carriers may also sue, so be careful with what you’re signing for.
Fortunately, all is not gloom and doom, and there are still a lot of benefits in signing up for a plan. Customers are able to get out early as long as they can prove that they bought a misleading package. Also, if you’re not satisfied with the free trial, you can just simply talk to a phone representative to finalize the closure of your account.
