5 Common Mistakes To Avoid While Switching Cell Phone Plans
There is no perfect cell phone plan, as an individual’s needs change with time. While some people look for lower call rates, some others may prioritize better performance. Some other factors people look out for when switching cell phone plans include cost-effectiveness, good coverage, daily data requirements, etc. However, when switching phone carriers, an individual is bound to make certain mistakes. Keep reading to learn about common mistakes people make while switching phone carriers.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a new cell phone plan
Switching one’s mobile phone carrier is a huge commitment that not only impacts one’s finances but also one’s professional and social life. For this reason, it is necessary to do proper research about multiple cell phone plans before making the big switch.
- Not knowing one’s needs
As mentioned earlier, cell phone plan requirements may vary between different kinds of users. For instance, data consumption needs among students will be way higher than that of a professional. If an individual travels a lot, they will need more international coverage for a better experience. Choosing a phone plan without understanding one’s needs can lead to paying for unwanted services and incurring extra charges. Furthermore, different cell phone plan providers offer varying network quality and coverage. Therefore, choosing a carrier without considering the network coverage available in your area can lead to complications like dropped calls and bad reception.
So, when an individual chooses service providers like Verizon, they must review their coverage by visiting their website and looking at their coverage maps to know how many cell towers they have. Verizon phone internet offers more data than most service providers and better coverage.
- Not considering one’s data requirement
Data is one of the prerequisites people consider when switching cell phone plans. However, many individuals are unaware of how much data they need. People do not usually calculate how much data they consume while working, listening to songs online, or watching videos. Furthermore, varying data needs and usage patterns are not considered when switching phone plans. This mistake may lead to one paying for plans that provide more data than one requires. To manage this problem, individuals should evaluate their cell phone habits and track their data usage for a few months before switching to a new carrier.
- Cancelling the existing plan too early
Many individuals prefer to keep their old number active even when switching to a new cell phone service provider. While number porting is an available option, one may lose one’s number while canceling the old service in haste without initiating the porting first.
To avoid this, don’t terminate the existing cell phone service without getting a new provider and informing them about one’s plan to retain the existing number. Sign up with the new provider at least 5-7 days before the existing plan expires. Once an individual is assured of their number staying active, they can safely cancel their old plan.
- Not reading the fine print
There will be various attractive perks when one shops for new cell phone plans. While one provider will offer unlimited data, another carrier may offer free international roaming. As good as they sound, most of these offerings have some fine print that individuals often ignore. Such fine print will contain information on terms of the new phone plan, service limitations, pricing, and more.
For example, when an individual is offered free roaming while traveling internationally, they are not told that their data speed slows down. It involves paying more to get faster internet access. Furthermore, the fine print of the plan may include hidden costs which a user might be unaware of. Some providers offer free roaming for a limited period of time, or there may be data caps and other restrictions that are only detailed in the fine print. Therefore, ignoring the fine print may lead to unexpected charges.
- Not making use of discounts
Many cell phone service providers offer discounts that reduce one’s phone bills. However, in the rush of switching to a new plan, many individuals forget to research and shortlist companies offering the best discounts. Some of the most commonly offered discounts are listed below.
- Student discounts
- Senior discounts
- Auto-pay activation discounts
When switching cell phone plans, individuals can consider top providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Various options are available in the market today, so individuals should carefully research each carrier and their features before switching to a new plan. Furthermore, one can also consider companies that offer freebies. For instance, Verizon phone plans offer Apple and Disney bundles that one can avail of. Moreover, there is an excellent Verizon phone plus internet plan where one can use all the data one wants, including a mobile hotspot, for just $30 a month.
Choosing the best cell phone plan is easier said than done because various factors, including pricing, coverage, data needs, and usage patterns, must be considered. Avoiding common mistakes like the ones mentioned above is important to avoid communication disruptions and overpaying for services that one doesn’t need.
