Your phone plan — like electricity, internet and insurance — is one of those cost-of-living expenses we all know we could probably get a better deal on, but rarely seriously consider changing.
Yet it’s one of the easiest, most immediate ways most of us can save on monthly bills.
We spoke with Peter Huxley and Jamie Coleman from Cmobile, a local family-owned phone provider, on how you can answer this question here and now.
According to Peter, it all boils down to mobile data: how much you’re paying for vs. how much you’re actually using.
“Nearly all plans these days come with unlimited calls and texts,” he says. “You might have a few overseas calls, but generally it’s all included in the price of your mobile plan. It’s not really a consideration.”
The answer is different for everybody, so the best first step is to open your last six months of phone bills and see how many gigabytes (GB) you used.
“Average that out,” advises Peter, “add about 20% as headroom for emergencies, and that’s how much data would be an appropriate starting point.”
Unless you’re streaming video on the go, regularly gaming, or frequently away from your home Wi-Fi network, Peter says you “might be surprised how little data you actually need from month to month.”
“Everyday phone activities like Facebook, reading the news, even Google Maps — which many people think is data heavy — aren’t too bad.”
“You might find you’re playing for 25 gigabytes of data per month and you’re only using seven or eight. You could quite comfortably cut back to a 10GB plan, save yourself a significant amount of money, and not have any difference in your service.”
Despite this, adds Jamie, major telecommunication companies will often try to upsell you on data you don’t need.
“Look at the plans currently on offer from Telstra, for example. The smallest is 50 gigabytes of data. That’s actually an enormous amount. Not many people will use that much in a month. The network average is around 20.”
“Going on a plan from a major provider, paying something like $62 a month for 50 gigabytes of data, you’re really paying for something you’ll never use.”
The pair advise looking towards smaller providers with more lower-data options that more accurately reflect your needs.
Peter adds that a lot of providers — Cmobile included — now offer data banking. This will allow the unused data from one month to roll over into the next, affording you extra leeway if choosing a lower amount.
This could allow you the luxury of having a bigger month once in a while (such as a holiday) without needing to upgrade; when you run out of your monthly allocation, you’ll simply tap into unused data from prior months.
Unless you’re locked into a one- or two-year contract: it’s never been easier!
Cmobile are currently offering exclusive discounted phone plans for Starts at 60 readers starting at just $9.90 a month. There are no lock-in contracts and it’s easy to switch from your current provider without losing your current number.
With this trusted family business — a fond favourite among many Starts at 60 readers in recent years — you can get the robust infrastructure of the existing Telstra or Vodafone network, but with a plan that realistically reflects your internet usage, and with the personal touch of an award-winning, 100% Australian support team.
Choose a plan below to get started:
Exclusive phone plans include:
Not sure which option is right for you? Give Cmobile’s Aussie call centre a ring on 1300 545 000 — and be sure to ask for one of their special Starts at 60 offers to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.
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