Ofcom publishes advice on getting best mobile deals

A new guide from Ofcom has been published to help consumers save money on mobile phone deals and get the most from their package.

The guide was put together after studies by Bill Monitor, the Ofcom-accredited price comparison site, found people could save significant amounts of money each year by switching packages.

With input from consumer organisations, Consumer Focus and the Communications Consumer Panel, people can get tips on what information they should get from a provider before signing a contract.

Mike O’Connor, Consumer Focus chief executive, said: “With more than nine million mobile phone deals available, it’s hardly surprising that only one in five of us find it easy to navigate this market.”

Vital information, said Ofcom, includes finding out if there are any additional costs, the length of contract, details on upgrades and network coverage.

The guide also advises on how to get the best deal from a mobile provider, such as checking out mobile coverage in the UK before buying and switching to cheaper online billing. There are also tips on using mobile phones abroad and how to keep your mobile number when changing provider.