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For many, a mobile phone is a necessity, but that doesn’t mean the contract for it should cost you an arm and a leg.
We chat to Buyisile Maseko, growth head at FNB Connect on how making a few simple changes can help shave a few Rands off your monthly bill.
Get the right phone for you
When it comes to mobile phones, today’s consumers are spoilt for choice, with so many new smart phones available on the market, each offering a host of swanky features and accessories, However the most popular phone won’t necessarily be the right one for you.
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It is important to understand your needs when choosing a new phone so think carefully about what you will use it for. If you take lots of photographs for example, then a top notch one that doubles up as a good camera will be important; if you want to be able to read spreadsheets for work, then a large screen is probably a big priority.
‘Asking these types of questions before hand will help narrow down your options and then you can work out which phone comes within your budget,’ explains Maseko. If you are just looking for something reliable that you can use daily to make calls and send texts then don’t discount a mid-range phone, or even a second hand refurbished one. There is a huge market for these and you’ll be doing your bit to save the planet too.’
Know your data allowance
The cost of data is much higher in South Africa than other parts of the world, so it’s important to know how much you’re using and for what price. There are plenty of free online resources to help you calculate your data usage which you can then use to determine the right contract for you.
If your data fluctuates (perhaps you use more during the summer holidays for example) then consider going for a rolling monthly or month-to-month Top Up Plan that has the advantage of allowing you to increase or decrease your data limit as and when you need it, based on your data usage says Maseko
‘Most mobile operators like FNB Connect have affordable Top Up SIM plans that cater to all budgets and usage options to help you save even more on data,’ he says.
If your data usage is too high, then there are some simple ways to reduce it. Maseko’s advice is to make sure that there are no apps running in the background of your device as this will chew up your data.
‘Try to use a Wi-Fi hotspot for downloading software updates, always take note of the size of an image or video before downloading it on chat apps such as WhatsApp and remember that calls made on these apps are not free – instead of using your call minutes, you’ll be using data,’ he warns
Switch to SIM-only
If your monthly contract is up, then opting for a SIM-only deal can really help save you a lot of money. This option only works if you are happy with your existing phone and are not fussed about having the latest tech.
With a SIM-only deal you’ll get the same minutes, texts, and data as an ordinary contract, but for much less as you’re not covering the cost of a new phone. There are some excellent, money-saving SIM only deals on the market, which are a fraction of the price of a pay monthly package so shop around for the best one.
Cap your spend
Make sure your phone costs match your budget by putting a cap on your account – especially if you tend to go over your allowance.
‘Most operators will send a notification to those consumers who are approaching their limit, so that they can watch their phone usage. You can request a cap on data or your calls (or both) from your network, so you don’t go over on either,’ says Maseko.
Alternatively, check your contract for additional services like access to streaming services and discounts on cinema tickets. Are you using them? They may sound great, but if they are of no use to you, it is a waste of money and you should switch to a cheaper deal.
