Switch onto mobile savings

Consumers could save significant amounts of money every year by switching to the best mobile package for their needs, new figures show.

A new guide published today by Ofcom, Consumer Focus and the Communications Consumer Panel is designed to help consumers get the most from their mobile deal and save money.

The guide provides helpful tips on what information you should know from a provider before buying, such as whether there are any additional costs, the length of contract, details on upgrades and network coverage.

With a range of deals and choice available to consumers today, the guide explains the differences between pay-as-you-go and contract. It advises consumers to use BillMonitor (billmonitor.com), so far the only Ofcom-accredited site to cover mobile, to shop around and ensure they get the best deal.

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.

Ed Richards, Ofcom's Chief Executive said: "Ofcom wants to ensure that consumers are getting the best from their mobile deal. This guide is designed to help consumers make informed decisions and to get the best from what's on offer in the market today."

Consumer Focus Chief Executive, Mike O'Connor 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. By using this handy guide, and accredited switching site BillMonitor, consumers should be better armed to find the best deal for their needs and save money."

Communications Consumer Panel Chair, Anna Bradley said: "The Panel is pleased to have contributed to this useful consumer guide that highlights the value of consumers checking the coverage that they will get, and whether they can cancel the contract if the actual coverage does not meet their needs - before they choose a provider."

The guide can be downloaded here: ofcom.org.uk/files/2010/03/mobiledeal_v2b.pdf