These days we all seem to be glued to our mobile phones. It’s the first thing we check in the morning and the last thing we check before we go to bed. You might even be reading this article on your phone! So, before you sign your next mobile contract, let’s take a look at some of the basics below.

What do you need?

What do you need from your plan and how do you use your mobile? Here are a few things you should consider:

• Will you BYO phone or do you need one included in the plan?
• Do you need unlimited calls & texts?
• How much data do you use each month?
• Do you need international roaming?
• Is the plan for yourself or do you need one that covers the entire family?
• Do you want to bundle it with a landline or internet deal?

Do you even need a mobile phone plan? If you prefer not to be locked into a contract and just want to top up your account when needed, you might like to consider going pre-paid instead.

How much will it cost?

Knowing the cost of your bill is important so that you can factor it in to your monthly budget. Remember, the price that many service providers advertise is the minimum price of the plan. Don’t forget to consider additional costs that might not be included, such as:

• Insurance for your phone
• International roaming charges
• The cost of extra data if you go over your allowance
• Early termination fees if you cancel your plan early
• Payment processing fees & late payment fees

It’s also worth checking if you qualify for any discounts. For example, some providers offer discounts on selected plans for uni students

Read the Critical Information Summary

The Critical Information Summary is a free document that the service provider must give you about the service. You can usually find it online on the provider’s website when you’re doing your research. The Critical Information Summary contains important information about the service and what is included, information about pricing, and other important information about billing, tracking your usage, overseas usage, mobile coverage, and contact details for customer service and complaints.

It could affect your credit score

When you apply for a post-paid mobile phone contract, you are essentially applying for credit. You get a mobile service now and you’re paying for it later. Your service provider can do a credit check on you so that they’re comfortable you can pay your bill each month. This credit check will appear on your credit report as a credit enquiry and can impact your score.

It’s a good idea to check and monitor your credit file, so you’re in tiptop shape before applying. You can do this for free at Credit Savvy!

Want to read more about mobile phone plans? Check out our article: 3 FAQs about mobile phone contracts.