A Student’s Guide To Mobile Phones

Today, hearts are thumping in the chests of Sixth Formers across the UK as A-Level results arrive. For those lucky enough to be going to university this will be the start of a count-down to Freshers’ Week getting textbooks, packing bags and saying good-bye to friends and family.

One of the top things on the list of students will be sorting out the right mobile phone and tariff to stay in touch with anxious parents and manage a new hectic life of lectures, deadlines, study dates and parties. Here’s some advice on what to look for when looking for student mobile phone deals.

Getting a contract
Once you’re eighteen, you can get a pay monthly mobile phone contract in your own name. Monthly contracts can be a great way of getting a discounted handset and more perks for your money – a lot of network providers will throw in great value combinations of texts, minutes and data. However, don’t forget there’s a reason why they do so – a pay monthly phone contract locks you into a steady payment for 18 or 24 months.

The breakdown into monthly instalments can also hide the true cost of a contract – if you fancy the slick new iPhone 4, even on a great contract it’s going to set you back approximately £850 over two years. Thinking in these cumulative terms you might find yourself going for a cheaper phone.

Don’t forget as well that like a credit card, a mobile phone contract is a credit product and you will be credit checked before you can sign the contract. For this reason it’s important to stay up to date on your mobile phone payments. Failing to do so could damage your credit rating and in the long term this can affect bank lending in the future. If you’re concerned about staying on top of your payments, set up a direct debit to pay your bill directly from your bank account monthly.

SIM-Only contract and pay as you go
If you’re thinking of changing from a pay as you go phone tariff to a contract but you’re happy with your handset or stretched for cash, look into a short-term or rolling SIM-only contract. You’ll keep your own mobile phone but get the benefits of contract value and often on a shorter contract length. If you’ve got a smartphone like the iPhone, HTC Desire or BlackBerry, don’t forget to get a data allowance too.

If you use your phone like most students, you’ll need minutes and texts; most likely you’ll be without a landline so you’ll be using your phone as your main communications device. With a smartphone you can also manage your emails, Facebook and call cheaply with Skype. For this reason you’ll probably find that a pay as you go deal isn’t such great value for you given how much you use it.

By: Pandora Devine

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The most important thing to think about is what you’re going to use your shop.orange.co.uk”>mobile phone for and then what budget you’ve got to spare. As much as you might lust after an shop.orange.co.uk”>iPhone 4, check what deals are available first before jumping on an expensive contract. P. Devine is a copywriter and has written this article on behalf of Orange.