Mobile phones

Whether you are buying a mobile phone for the first time or if you are considering switching to another provider, there are a number of things to consider:

Bill pay or pre-pay?
Coverage
Mobile phone contract
Roaming
How do I switch?

Bill pay or pre-pay?

With bill pay, you get a monthly bill for calls, texts and data you’ve used in the last month. With pre-pay, you buy credit and top up your account before you spend the money. To help you decide what option works best for you, think about how you use (or plan to use) your phone in a typical month - add up:

the number of calls to mobile phones on your network
the number of calls to mobile phones on other networks
the number of calls to landlines
the number of text messages sent
the number of picture messages sent and received
any other data you use on your phone -internet, email and social media, for example

Compare the costs of different price plans by using the mobile calculator at www.callcosts.ie

If you find a price plan that suits you, ask the mobile operator if there are any discounts, for example, if you choose bill pay and pay by direct debit. You may also get discounts or free calls and texts to numbers you specify (such as friends and family), or you might get a discounted rate for calls and texts to other mobile numbers on the same network.

Remember, price isn’t the only factor when choosing a mobile phone provider.

Contract issues

When you sign up for a bill pay mobile phone service, your contract is with the mobile network operator. Usually, when you are offered a free phone it means you have to sign a contract for a minimum time, usually 18 months. This means that if you want to switch providers during the contract term, there may be a penalty for ending the contract early and you many have to pay up to the end of the contract.

If you are getting a pre-paid phone, check if your operator will suspend your account if you stop using it for a number of months or if you don't top up your credit for some time.

If your phone turns out to be faulty, it is up to the shop or retailer where you bought the phone to sort out the problem. So, in the case of faulty phones, your contract is with the shop and not operator or manufacturer.

Coverage

Some mobile phone networks have better coverage in particular areas than others. When you are buying a phone or switching, ask your mobile phone provider to check the coverage for you, in particular the areas where you will most likely be using your phone. Ask people living in the area who use the same provider if they are happy with the network coverage. Check out www.askcomreg.ie for more information.

Roaming

If you plan to use your phone outside Ireland, for example, when you are on holiday or if you work abroad from time to time, consider the costs involved. Check out our information on roaming for further details.

Tip!

If you get a new mobile phone, read the manual and understand how your new phone works – you may want to switch off functions that are automatically turned on and which may cost you money, such as internet access when you are abroad.

How do I switch?

Switching is easy and can be done in a few simple steps:

Step 1 – Choose a mobile operator. Compare the price plans on offer from the main mobile operators on the market at www.callcosts.ie. If you signed a contract with your previous operator, check to see that your contract is over and if not, whether you have to pay a penalty if you switch before it ends.

Step 2 – Contact your new operator and provide your details. You can either phone them, go online or call into one of their retail outlets. When you move to a new operator, you can keep your old number if you want – this is called Mobile Number Portability (MNP) The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) explains MNP in more detail.

Step 3 – Switch. Your new mobile operator should complete the process for you within a few hours.

So, if you are unhappy with the service provided by your mobile operator or if you feel you are paying too much, consider switching today.

Who do I complain to if I have a problem switching?

You can contact ComReg if you have a complaint about the switching process.