With so many mobile service providers out there, we understand how finding the right mobile subscription package can be overwhelming and confusing at the same time. Everything seems like a strikingly good deal. Sometimes, even too good, you doubt it’s true.
So if you’re confused about how you should go about selecting what mobile subscription package to purchase, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll have you answer a series of questions that can help you figure out what mobile subscription plan might be best for you.
But before we even delve into these questions, we first need to address the elephant in the room: Why should you consider signing up for a mobile subscription package in the first place?
Why Switch To A Subscription Plan?
It’s no secret that humans and smartphones are inseparable nowadays. Wherever you go, you will always spot people with a mobile phone in hand. They’re either scrolling through their social media feeds, calling someone they know, listening to music, or whatever else they can be doing on their handy little gadget. It’s safe to say that nobody can live without a smartphone in this day and age (read more).
However, in order to maximize the use of a smartphone, you would need phone credits to access its most prominent features such as calling, texting, and surfing the internet. Phone credits come at a cost, and you purchase them from your chosen network provider. You also have the option to buy credits just for whenever you need to use them (prepaid) or subscribe to a phone plan (postpaid) to either get recurring monthly credits or enable unlimited use of data, calls, and texts.
Between the two options, if you’re an avid smartphone user (which we know you probably are), it would be best to choose or switch to a subscription package instead of buying credits at retail price. This is because prepaid credits usually cost more than subscription packages. Also, because they’re exhaustible, you might find yourself in a pinch if they suddenly run out during the most important times. We only suggest using prepaid credits if (1) you’re only going to be using that specific network temporarily or (2) you’re not the type to use paid phone services such as internet browsing, SMS, MMS, or calling.
With subscription packages, you conveniently replenish your phone credits month after month without having to go to a nearby store to make a manual purchase. It automatically renews for you until you no longer deem it necessary, or you’ve found a better subscription package that you would like to switch to. Most mobile subscription packages also come with several exclusive perks as a way for mobile service companies to increase customer satisfaction and encourage them to use the service long-term.
Much like every other product out there, however, not all mobile subscription plans are made the same. Depending on your personal and professional needs, some packages may be better suited for you than others – and that is exactly what we’re going to tackle today.
Below, we have a series of questions that may help you identify which mobile package would be best for your needs:
Does this network have good coverage in my specific area?
The first thing you have to ask yourself when searching for the right mobile subscription package is whether the network is compatible with your location or the places that you often frequent (in case you travel a lot). You can have all the perks in the world but if your internet runs at a turtle’s pace because your chosen network doesn’t work very well in your area, then you still won’t get good value for your money. You’ll also end up feeling frustrated most of the time, which is not a very good feeling to have. So before you commit to anything, make sure to ask around, maybe check-in with neighbors or people in the area to see which network signal is the best.
How fast is the internet speed?
Next on our mobilabonnement test is speed. How fast is your internet download and upload speed (mbps)? Nobody likes slow internet, especially when you’ve got a lot going on that requires the use of mobile data. If you want to make sure that you’re always connected even when you’re on the go, be sure to check the speed that comes with the mobile plan you use.
Generally speaking, cheaper plans would have slower speeds while more expensive plans would be faster. If you think about it, shelling out a little more in exchange for lightning-fast internet is a darn good deal.
How much data allowance do I need on a daily/monthly basis?
Just like speed, the amount of mobile data (GB) that you get per month can vary based on the mobile subscription plan that you choose. There are all sorts of packages with varying amounts of call, text, and internet credits so make sure that you choose a plan based on your actual needs. If you use mobile data for work often and you know for a fact that your work tasks take up a lot of data, opting for a subscription that comes with a large volume of mobile data – better yet, unlimited – is a sound choice. Again, you can’t have your subscription package fail you at the worst times just because you underestimated how much mobile data you can use up in a month. Better to have more than less in this case.
Does this network have good roaming coverage internationally?
If you’re into traveling or your line of industry for work involves a lot of business trips abroad, then you may want to check out mobile subscription packages that are roaming friendly. This means that you can still pretty much use the same network and the same phone services even when you’re traveling outside of Norway. Having good roaming coverage is a great perk to have for those who frequent other countries since they won’t have to switch out their phone’s sim for a local one every time they arrive in another country.
How much am I willing to spend on a subscription package every month?
Of course, don’t forget about your budget. While having the best of the best mobile subscriptions would be the most ideal scenario, you also shouldn’t commit to anything you know is too expensive for you to keep up with. Mobile subscriptions have a recurring charge and, as we’ll explain below, most of them will have a binding period. This means that you should only sign up for what you can pay for long-term. Do a quick check of your finances and see how much your budget allows before purchasing any plan.
Does the subscription contract include a binding period?
The binding period is basically the duration your subscription plan is locked in. During this period of time, often spanning 12 to 24 months, you are not allowed to cancel or stop the service. Otherwise, it will result in you defaulting on the plan and facing penalties and other financial charges that are associated with the premature termination of the plan. When you decide on what subscription package you want to purchase, make sure that you are confident about paying the monthly recurring fees for the entire duration of the binding period. After the binding period, you may opt to terminate the service, transfer to another network, or upgrade/downgrade to another package offered by the same network.
What additional perks can I expect from this mobile subscription package?
Another consideration you should have been the additional perks that come with subscription packages. You should check in with your mobile service provider to see if they are currently offering any deals to new mobile plan subscribers such as being able to purchase a new mobile unit along with the subscription package or getting additional discounts for family plans. Many mobile service providers offer bundled deals to encourage more people to switch to subscription plans.
How does this company treat its customers?
Lastly, one of the most important questions you should ask is “Is this company good to its customers?” A good company prioritizes the experience of its customers above all, so they make sure that they have top notch customer service and their products are continually made better. It’s always a huge plus to buy from businesses that also know how to treat their customers well.
