Are you spending too much on your mobile phone bill? If so, there's several ways you can spend less!
Research from savings account provider Raisin UK reveals that as a nation we waste over £2.2 billion each year by not switching contracts from the ‘Big Four’ providers of Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three. But if you’re thinking of switching to a new provider, it can be tricky to know what to look for and whether you’re getting a good deal. Here, SIM-only mobile operator spusu offers its top tips for saving money on your mobile contract.
Compare, compare, compare
If you use comparison websites to save costs on necessities such as home and car insurance, then it’s valuable to use them when searching for a new mobile contract too.
Comparing the best deals makes it easy to determine the contract that’s right for you. For example, comparison sites display the amount of data allocated, whether unlimited calls and messaging is included and if there is an upfront cost to pay.
Furthermore, Ofcom accredits numerous price comparison services, such as MoneySuperMarket, which have undergone an independent audit to ensure that information they provide is accurate, comprehensive and reliable.
Don’t over spend
Back in 2019, personal finance comparison site, finder.com, found that two-thirds of Brits use less mobile data than they pay for. While a contract with a high data allowance may look like a bargain, money is being wasted if this data is not being used.
It’s worth carrying out a data audit before purchasing a new contract to determine the amount of data that is right for you. If you download lots of apps, stream music and use WhatsApp regularly, you should consider a contract with upwards of 20GB of data. However, if you know that you infrequently use data-consuming apps, sizing down on data can help you save money.
Consider SIM-only
Unboxing a brand-new mobile offers an instant thrill. But if you’re satisfied with the running and appearance of your phone, is there any need to switch?
SIM-only deals mean you don’t pay back the cost of the handset, with Uswitch predicting that moving to a SIM-only mobile plan could save you around £352 each year.
Additionally, unlike phone contracts, which are usually retained to two years before you can upgrade or swap the handset free of charge, SIM-only deals are available as pay monthly, giving you more control over how you spend your money.
Small print, big change
Checking contract terms and conditions is essential if you want to save money. Each April, many mobile operators raise their prices in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or the January Retail Prices Index (RPI), plus 3.9 per cent.
Recent data reveals that half of consumers don’t know what the CPI and RPI measure, so Ofcom has ruled that from January 2025, providers must clearly set out proposed price increases in pounds and pence at the point of sale.
However, not all mobile operators raise their prices each year, so it’s worth looking for contracts that offer price freezes.For example, spusu has frozen prices across its SIM-only plans until the end of January 2026.
Free to roam
Brits lost their right to free EU-wide roaming on January 1, 2021, but one in five don’t realise they’re being charged for using their phone on holiday.
Three of the UK’s ‘Big Four’ mobile providers currently charge for using texts, minutes and data abroad, with prices as high as £2.47 per day. While this might not seem like much, a family of four could end up spending around £140 on roaming during a fortnight’s holiday.
Choosing a provider that allows you to use your plan overseas for no extra cost means you can enjoy your holiday without unnecessary expenses.
Visit spusu’s website to discover its range of affordable SIM-only deals.
This is a collaborated post with spusu. About spusu: The brand was launched in Austria in 2015, in Italy in 2020 and in 2024, spusu launched in Switzerland. The Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) started as a monthly mobile plan provider and has evolved to include broadband, mobile phones and even e-bikes. The company believes in fostering its talent and focusing on in-house development instead of outsourcing the work to external contractors.
In Austria spusu won the best mobile provider in 2022 and the best customer support in 2021. The monthly mobile comes with many benefits, including 5G, inclusive EU roaming and international calls to the EU, as well as new tech like the eSIM. More information can be found at www.spusu.co.uk.