By: iPadfanzz Editor on April 21, 2013
Have you ever suffered from “bill shock?” It happens when you open the phone bill, see the figures and get scared. It's an awful feeling which reminds us of how certain miscalculation can get us in the trap.
There's no reason to overpay on a mobile phone bill if you know what you are doing.
Remember, education is empowerment and the following tips will help you save money.
But before we go further, let us understand what are the causes of a “bill shock.” The three main reasons are:
Exceeding your cap (it happens when you do not monitor your usage)
Using services not included in your cap (again, usually due to either confusing plan descriptions, or through not understanding the terms and conditions).
Taking your phone overseas and using data or making calls.
1. Get a local pre-paid plan
- If you travel to foreign countries then it may work out cheaper to buy local pre-paid SIMS. For this make sure that
- Your handset isn’t locked to a carrier
- The SIM is compatible with your phone (nano, micro, standard)
2. Check your current carrier’s international roaming costs including Flagfall & standard rates, Data (per 10 KB, per 1 MB),Charges for incoming calls
3. Keep data roaming switched off
While traveling overseas make sure that your data roaming, cellular data and 3G services are off. It varies depending on your handset model and carrier, but as a general guide:
iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Network → slide Data Roaming, Cellular Data and Enable 3G to ‘off’.
Android: Go to Settings → Wireless Controls → Mobile Network Settings → uncheck Data Roaming, Data Enable and 3G Data options.
Blackberry: Go to Options → Mobile Network → Data Services → select ‘Off When Roaming’.
Windows Phone: Go to Settings → Mobile Network → Data Roaming → and select ‘Don’t Roam’.
The good thing is that you can still use WiFi hotspots for internet connectivity as there are many hotels and many restaurants that provide complimentary WiFi to their customers. So it is better to restrict your web browsing and app use to when you can do it for free.
4. Switch off location services, push notifications and automatic updates
Disable location services, push notifications and automatic updates you’ve enabled for apps. Also make sure you disable the Fetch New Data option for your email and calendar and turn off notifications for any apps that have their own individual tabs in Settings/Options (for example, on the iPhone you’ll find applications such as Facebook and Skype have their own options in Settings).
5. Take advantage of applications such as Vibe, Skype and Text Me for free phone calls and text messaging to other users. And make use of free public WiFi hotspots when you’re out and about, so you’re not using up your data allowance.
6. Monitor your usage and spend
This should be done for voice and text as well as data. The TCP Code also requires service providers to alert you when you reach your included value limits for voice and SMS. Make sure you take notice of any alerts you receive.
Have you ever suffered from “bill shock?” It happens when you open the phone bill, see the figures and get scared. It's an awful feeling which reminds us of how certain miscalculation can get us in the trap.
There's no reason to overpay on a mobile phone bill if you know what you are doing.
Remember, education is empowerment and the following tips will help you save money.
But before we go further, let us understand what are the causes of a “bill shock.” The three main reasons are:
Exceeding your cap (it happens when you do not monitor your usage)
Using services not included in your cap (again, usually due to either confusing plan descriptions, or through not understanding the terms and conditions).
Taking your phone overseas and using data or making calls.
1. Get a local pre-paid plan
- If you travel to foreign countries then it may work out cheaper to buy local pre-paid SIMS. For this make sure that
- Your handset isn’t locked to a carrier
- The SIM is compatible with your phone (nano, micro, standard)
2. Check your current carrier’s international roaming costs including Flagfall & standard rates, Data (per 10 KB, per 1 MB),Charges for incoming calls
3. Keep data roaming switched off
While traveling overseas make sure that your data roaming, cellular data and 3G services are off. It varies depending on your handset model and carrier, but as a general guide:
iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Network → slide Data Roaming, Cellular Data and Enable 3G to ‘off’.
Android: Go to Settings → Wireless Controls → Mobile Network Settings → uncheck Data Roaming, Data Enable and 3G Data options.
Blackberry: Go to Options → Mobile Network → Data Services → select ‘Off When Roaming’.
Windows Phone: Go to Settings → Mobile Network → Data Roaming → and select ‘Don’t Roam’.
The good thing is that you can still use WiFi hotspots for internet connectivity as there are many hotels and many restaurants that provide complimentary WiFi to their customers. So it is better to restrict your web browsing and app use to when you can do it for free.
4. Switch off location services, push notifications and automatic updates
Disable location services, push notifications and automatic updates you’ve enabled for apps. Also make sure you disable the Fetch New Data option for your email and calendar and turn off notifications for any apps that have their own individual tabs in Settings/Options (for example, on the iPhone you’ll find applications such as Facebook and Skype have their own options in Settings).
5. Take advantage of applications such as Vibe, Skype and Text Me for free phone calls and text messaging to other users. And make use of free public WiFi hotspots when you’re out and about, so you’re not using up your data allowance.
6. Monitor your usage and spend
This should be done for voice and text as well as data. The TCP Code also requires service providers to alert you when you reach your included value limits for voice and SMS. Make sure you take notice of any alerts you receive.
