Slash costs and save £200 by switching between phone broadbands

Mobile phone customers could save more than £200 a year by switching providers when they are out of contract, campaigners said today. Which? found some “Big Four” users could slash costs by as much as £225 by moving to cheaper deals, following eye-watering price rises of up to 17 percent.

The consumer group used data from its latest mobile survey to calculate how much EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone users could save by switching to its top pick of low, medium and high data deals.

It said their out-of-contract customers pay an average of £22.37 a month, compared with £19.01 across all providers.

Deals with highly-rated providers offered data packages for under £14 a month, including Smarty’s 4GB for £5 and 200GB for £14 with iD Mobile.

The average EE user paying £23.80 a month could save the most – potentially £225.60 a year or £18.80 a month if they switched to Smarty’s offer.

Vodafone customers forking out £22.20 a month could save £206.40 or £17.20 a month, Three users paying £21.50 and O2 users charged £21.30 could pocket £198 (£16.50 a month) and £195.60 (£16.30 a month) with the same deal.

Which?’s survey showed more than half of customers use only up to 5GB a month, so many could make big savings with a cheap, low-data deal. Millions, however, often have to swallow price hikes or pay exorbitant fees to leave contracts early.

Which? is urging providers to let customers leave without a penalty if prices are increased mid-contract.

Rocio Concha, of Which?, said: “It’s absolutely critical that Ofcom’s review of inflation-linked mid-contract hikes results in changes that ensure customers are never trapped in this situation again.”

EE insisted: “We aim to make sure our customers are always on the best deal for them.”

A Virgin Media O2 spokesman said: “Unlike other operators, nearly a decade ago we launched contracts which automatically reduce customers’ bills as soon as they’ve finished paying for their handsets. So our customers are already saving big when their contract ends.”

Vodafone said: “We encourage everyone to review their plan at the end of any contract so they can make sure they’re on the right deal for their needs.”

Three declined to comment.