| The mobile phone sector has been growing for a | | | | out, you will need to top up. This can be done on the |
| number of years now. Gone are the days when we | | | | phone, one the internet or by going to a shop which |
| just purchased a basic handset and made our calls. | | | | offers this service. In the past, pay as you go mobile |
| We now have more and more options, not just in | | | | phone did not offer great value for money if you were |
| styles and types of handsets, but also how we pay | | | | a heavy user. However, in recent times, they have go |
| for our mobile phone calls. In this article, we will take a | | | | much better. You will often a fixed number of free |
| look at various options available to mobile phone | | | | text messages every time you top up and some will |
| customers and what are the benefits of each of them. | | | | even include free calls to a special number. Another |
| The most common type of mobile phone deal is the | | | | good thing about this type of deal is that you have full |
| fixed term contract. With these types of offers you | | | | control over what you spend. |
| sign up for a fixed period of time and you are given | | | | The final option you could go for would be a Sim only |
| the handset as part of the package. These contracts | | | | contract. Sim only contracts work in the same way as |
| tend to last from between 12 and 36 months and will | | | | mobile phone contracts. The only difference is that you |
| include a combination of inclusive text messages, | | | | will not get a handset. As a result, you will need to |
| minutes and sometimes internet browsing. To get a | | | | either already own a Sim free and unlocked mobile |
| high end handset for free, you will need to sign up for | | | | phone or you will have to buy one. A benefit of going |
| a 18-36 month contract. Anything less and you will | | | | for a Sim only is that contracts can last for as little as 1 |
| have to pay towards the cost of the phone. You can | | | | month. Great if you do not want a long term |
| also get clearance contracts, which include older | | | | commitment to just one network. if you are not happy |
| models of phones or handsets which have been | | | | with your network provider, you can just cancel with |
| discontinued. These are a very popular option as you | | | | 30 days notice. |
| are not tied in to anything too long term. The only | | | | When you are deciding which option to go for, you |
| problem with contracts is the fixed period. On a 18-36 | | | | need to way up all the pluses and minuses. Mobile |
| month deal, you will get a great phone, but tend to | | | | phone contracts offer good value, but you are tied in |
| quickly become obsolete and will be found in the | | | | long term. Pay as you offer control over what you |
| clearance section less than a year later. | | | | spend, but will have to pay a little more over the long |
| The next option is to go for a pay as you go mobile | | | | term. Whilst, Sim only deals offer freedom of choice |
| phone. Here, you buy the handset which is tied to a | | | | and value, but you will need to already own a handset |
| certain network. These handset normally come with a | | | | or have the money to pay for one. |
| small amount of credit - about £10. When this runs | | | | |