EVERY PENNY COUNTS
Expert reveals easy hack that could save you £240 a year with your mobile phone – just by making one simple swap
It comes after one major mobile brand revealed customers will see hikes in fees next month
AN EXPERT has revealed how you could save £240 a year with your phone - and it's so easy anyone can give it a go.
By making one simple swap, mobile users could find they can keep hold of their change and lose some frustration.
1
Traditional SIM cards have often been combined with additional fees.
From charging to change the physical card to the inconvenience of heading in-store to make the switch, there's one easy solution.
By using an eSIM, mobile carriers could find the process becomes faster and more flexible.
Not only are eSIMS easier and cheaper to switch when wanting to change carriers, but they also offer jetsetters the chance to avoid high roaming charges.
Read more Money News
An eSIM is built directly into a device, meaning it does not need to be physically removed to change networks or plans.
And it's not just holidaymakers that could find the hack useful as poor home internet connectivity or those needing to get online while commuting could also face higher fees.
When exceeding monthly allowances, some will even resort to purchasing more data or bundles which can quickly become expensive.
For most UK network providers, customers could expect £2.50 per 100 MB of extra data used, on top of their regular allowance.
Most read in Money
Airalo, an eSIM travel company, has provided expert opinion on how mobile owners could save £20 a month or a total of £240 a year.
A spokesperson for the company told the Express: "Customers can save money on their monthly phone bill by using an eSIM, even when they’re not travelling."
Little-known Samsung rival unveils cheap Android phone for just £99 & has a retro battery feature that'll save money too
"Downloading an eSIM for travelling, and turning off your primary SIM can significantly reduce fees. However, some customers may not realise they can benefit from using an eSIM in their local region.
"eSIMs offer a competitive price compared to leading UK network providers."
It follows the news that Sky Mobile is expected to hike bills for up to one million customers within the next few weeks.
Changes are expected on February 14 for those who pay monthly and SIM-only contracts too.
CUT YOUR TELECOM COSTS
SWITCHING contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills, Chief Consumer Reporter, James Flanders, explains.
But if you can't switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you'd be best to hold off until it's up for renewal.
But don't just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you're currently paying.
Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you're a heavy internet user, it's worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don't have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.
It's a known fact that new customers always get the best deals.
Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider.
This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.
However, if you don't want to switch and are happy with the service you're getting under your current provider - haggle for a better deal.
You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you're given after your deal.
If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time.
Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning.
This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won't have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels.
It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers.
Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider.
If your provider won't haggle, you can always threaten to leave.
Companies don't want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you.
It's also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories