MOBILE network price hikes sting us all, year in year out – and trying to negotiate a new deal is a major pain.
But there hidden ways to easily stay with your provider for cheaper or switch to bag a load of freebies worth £100s.
I’ve been through several networks over the years and switching has become a lot easier.
For the very best value for money , I would always encourage anyone to change provider routinely.
This is also how you can claim some extra freebies as well that go beyond your phone network service.
Here, I reveal three options to cut your mobile bills.
#1 STAY AND SAVE
You might be happy with the actual service you’re currently receiving and therefore reluctant to go elsewhere, with excellent 5G around the areas that matter most, like home and work.
Less tech-confident users are simply put off because they’re afraid of losing their number.
It is possible to transfer your number to another provider but if you’re not sure, this might be the option for you to save.
Firstly, the most important thing to check is whether you’re out of contract.
If you’re unsure, the easiest way to find out is by texting INFO to 85075 – it’s a free number.
Your network should ping you back with the information you need.
If you are out of contract, you’re good to go.
Now, the last thing your provider wants is for you to leave and go somewhere else.
Years ago, this used to be a massive headache, requiring you to ring up for a PAC code to transfer your number elsewhere.
It inevitably led to waiting in queues and then having to navigate conversations with telesales reps desperate to prevent you from leaving.
Since 2019, you’ve been able to cut that out and text to request it instantly by messaging the word PAC to 65075.
Now, if you’re out of contract and request the PAC code, this may well trigger your provider to ping you back with an offer to stay.
Requesting the code won’t make any changes to your service or account until you’ve handed that code over to a new provider, so there’s no harm in trying it out today.
#2 SWITCH TO SAVE – BUT KEEP THE SAME SIGNAL
If there’s not a good offer available with your provider, you may well have to switch.
As mentioned before, you might be reluctant to do this if you get a good service.
However, there are ways to switch while actually having the same network signal.
There are three main network providers in the UK that own and run the masts.
These are EE , O2 and VodafoneThree (the latter recently merged to form the UK’s biggest mobile network).
All the other networks just piggyback off one of these three using their masts.
Often, these networks are a lot cheaper too.
For example, Lyca Mobile piggybacks off EE.
So if you’re an EE customer and want to switch but keep the same network, you could try Lyca Mobile.
It’s important to note that these sorts of alternative networks can be subject to something called “throttling”, where data speeds can be slightly lower, so it’s worth checking before signing up – but it will run off exactly the same signal as your old provider.
MOBILE PROVIDER PIGGYBACKS REVEALED
Here are some of the mobile providers piggybacking off the UK's main networks so you have an idea of who you could switch to.
EE:
- 1pMobile
- Boshhh
- CMLink
- Ecotalk
- IQ Mobile
- Lyca Mobile
- Mozillion
- Now Mobile
- Popit Mobile
- Slice Mobile
- Spusu
- Talk Home
- Utility Warehouse
- Your Co-op
O2:
- Giffgaff
- Sky Mobile
- Tesco Mobile
Vodafone:
- Asda Mobile
- Lebara
- Talkmobile
- VOXI
Three:
- Honest Mobile
- iD Mobile
- Smarty
- Superdrug Mobile
Image credit: Getty
#3 SWITCH, SAVE AND BAG FREEBIES
As I mentioned earlier, switching entirely is usually the very cheapest option.
And not only that, you can get some free extra perks along the way too.
These often get forgotten when working out what’s worthwhile.
So, if you were to switch to O2 you would get a choice of O2 Extras.
You get to pick one, including Disney+ or Amazon Prime for six months, or an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate pass.
A Prime subscription alone would cost you more than £53 for the six months over that time.
You can also add Prime onto your O2 bill for a £2 discount going forward as well.
Other networks have similar offers.
In my case, I recently switched to Vodafone.
They offered me Amazon Prime for £1 for three months, as well as Disney+ for free for three months.
I’ve since been offered YouTube Premium (worth £12.99 a month) free for two months.
As well as free food from Sainbury’s and drinks from Costa Coffee.
So if switching is an option for you, take it.
Remember, you can text PAC to 65075 to keep your existing number.
