| Three out of four people in the UK now own at least | | | | well. If you like having the latest technology and the |
| one mobile phone. They've become so much a part of | | | | cool new handsets it might be worth looking at a |
| everyday life we wonder how we ever managed | | | | pay-monthly tariff. On most monthly packages you get |
| without them. But with so many different handsets, | | | | free minutes or texts, or a mixture of the two. Go for |
| networks and features available, how do you choose | | | | whichever you think you will use the most. However, if |
| which is for you? | | | | you only use the phone sporadically and don't mind |
| A mobile phone may be a status symbol, and a sign | | | | having a basic handset, a PAYG phone can save you |
| that you are up with the latest technology, but don't | | | | a bundle. |
| forget that first and foremost it is a convenient device | | | | Once you've got an idea of what network and price |
| for getting in touch with someone on the move. So | | | | plan you need, look which phones are available on it. |
| your first considerations should be the network and call | | | | Now here's where you're really spoilt for choice. Make |
| package. | | | | a list of all the features you want from a phone; |
| How much do you actually use your phone, or plan to | | | | camera, Bluetooth, mp3 player, voice messaging, |
| use it? What times of the day will you be making | | | | WAP…there's seemingly no end to the extra |
| calls? What networks have good signals in your area, | | | | things a phone can do. Most phone comparison |
| and which ones are the majority of your friends on? | | | | websites will allow you to search different handsets |
| These are all questions that should help you decide | | | | depending on which features you select, so you can |
| which network to go on, if you haven't already. | | | | see at a glance which ones fit your choice. Read the |
| Perhaps one gets good signal in your area but all your | | | | reviews of each handset, if possible, so you can see |
| friends are on another; see if the first network does a | | | | what other people make of it. Others will allow you to |
| cross-network deal. Maybe you intend to use your | | | | put in your tariff requirements and give you a list of |
| phone for work during the day, look for a tariff which | | | | handsets and networks which offer these. |
| gives either free minutes or a low daytime rate. A | | | | Consider taking out phone insurance if you have a |
| tariff which is only £10 per month line rental may | | | | more expensive model, especially if you're a little |
| sound cheap, but if the calls are 25p per minute and | | | | accident prone. Most policies will offer accidental |
| the texts cost 16p each time, it's not really going to be | | | | damage and loss, and will replace your old phone with |
| that cheap unless you intend never to use your phone. | | | | a new one if lost or stolen. Many will even cover your |
| Shop around and weigh up different tariffs and | | | | phone if stolen abroad. Alternatively, you can add your |
| networks until you find one that will suit your usage and | | | | handset to an 'all risks' home contents insurance policy. |
| your pocket. | | | | Compare the latest mobile phones and cheap mobile |
| It's worth remembering that a pay as you go tariff | | | | phones online. Look for pay as you go mobile phones |
| generally has higher call and text charges, and you | | | | if you don't want to pay monthly. |
| have to pay quite a high price for certain handsets as | | | | |