| Mobile phones are a great communication tool, but the | | | | is not normally free. The cost of the phone is usually |
| contracts for mobile phone plans are binding and can | | | | incorporated somehow in your bill. |
| be tricky to say the least. In order to get the best | | | | 2. Get text alerts that let you know how much you are |
| possible contract and to avoid consumer traps, it is | | | | spending. Many providers will let you opt-in to this |
| best to prepare yourself before you sign on the dotted | | | | service. |
| line. It is also good to know what you can do if you | | | | 3. Join the network or service where most of your |
| end up with a problematic contract. | | | | friends, relatives and business contacts are already |
| Prevention is a lot better than cure, so before we look | | | | members. It is usually cheaper to call to phones that |
| at what to do in case of a problem, let's concentrate | | | | are on the same network. |
| on how you can get a mobile phone contract that will | | | | 4. Ask your service provider if you can opt-out of |
| give you the service you need at a price that you can | | | | making calls to expensive services. If you go this route, |
| afford. | | | | then your phone will be blocked from making these |
| The first thing to remember is that a mobile phone | | | | expensive calls. |
| contract is binding. If you sign it then you are legally | | | | If you follow all of these tips then you will probably get |
| bound by its provisions for the term of the contract. It | | | | a phone contract that will not be a problem, however |
| is up to you know what you are signing up for. | | | | many people wonder what can be done in case of |
| Before you select any mobile phone contract or plan, | | | | difficulties. |
| make an estimate of how many calls you will make | | | | A Common Question Is: "Is It Possible To Get Out Of |
| and who you will make them to. Are you calling | | | | A Mobile Phone Contract?" |
| landlines, mobile phones, locally, interstate or | | | | Normally you are obligated to remain in the contract |
| internationally? The most important tip for getting the | | | | for its duration. That's why before you sign up find out |
| right mobile phone contract is to match your calling | | | | if there is a penalty fee for breaking the contract and |
| patterns with the rates that are offered by the mobile | | | | how much that will be. Also you should check to see if |
| carriers and service providers. | | | | your provider offers any insurance in case the phone |
| Once you have an idea of how you will use your | | | | that comes with the contract is lost or damaged. |
| phone, take a look at the rates and conditions offered | | | | Another common problem is a rate rise while you are |
| by the various companies. | | | | under contract. Look at the fine print of your contact |
| In Particular, Pay Attention To The Following Factors: | | | | before signing up to see if your provider is allowed to |
| 1. Find out what the rates are for calling other mobiles, | | | | make any rate rises while you are under contract. If |
| landlines and for long distance. | | | | you rates go up, check your contract or ask your |
| 2. Find out how the charges are calculated. Will you be | | | | provider to show which part of the contract has |
| billed per second or by 30 second intervals? | | | | allowed them to make the rate rise. If they can't justify |
| 3. Find out if there is a connection fee or "flag fall" cost | | | | the rate rise, then they are violating the terms of the |
| in addition to the per second call rate. | | | | contract. |
| 4. Read the fine-print carefully, so that you will not be | | | | Finally, if you think that you have signed up for a |
| surprised later on by conditions that will not be | | | | contract due to false or misleading advertising then |
| favorable to you. If you are not sure what you are | | | | you can take action to have your contract terminated, |
| signing, then delay your decision. Don't sign under | | | | using the consumer protection services of your |
| pressure or threat. | | | | country. In Australia the Telecommunications Industry |
| 5. Consult with your friends, colleagues and do | | | | Ombudsman may be used to resolve contract |
| research on the web to find out if your would-be | | | | disputes, but you first have to try to work out the |
| service provider is reliable and ethical. | | | | problem with your service provider. |
| In addition to this there are some other tips that can | | | | If you prepare yourself with proper information and |
| help you to reduce your mobile phone expenditures: | | | | select your mobile phone contract carefully, you will not |
| 1. Consider buying your own handset. If you buy an | | | | run into many problems later on down the line. So, |
| economical handset then it may be cheaper than the | | | | when you are getting ready to enter into any mobile |
| expensive models that are included in many contracts. | | | | phone contracts available on the market, just |
| Remember, if you get a phone as part of a contract it | | | | remember to "look before you leap. |