Your mobile phone is as much a part of you as your wallet or purse. To be without it would seriously affect your day and it’s not just for the likes of social media. You use your phone for business, banking and research.
But when you’re using it for business, how do you know you’re getting the best deal and even have the best type of phone? In this article we compare providers and phones and help you keep your business mobile.
Choosing a Provider
This is all a question of priorities, yours. Before you decide who you want to go with it’s well worth taking a look at your current provider’s latest bill and working out where you’re spending the majority of your money and your time.
If you’re a prolific poster on social media and need to stay on top of analytics, chances are you’re going to need a plan which includes unlimited data to help you stay on top of your game. The last thing you need to do is find yourself having to go through the hassle of adding bolt ons and so on when you’re going through an analysis of your latest social media strategy.
If you’re someone who makes a lot of calls then take a look at the types of calls you’re making. Is it mobile to mobile, domestic landlines or international calls? When you’re someone who needs to be heard you’re not only looking for a great call allowance but a provider who offers you the best all round coverage, no matter where you are in the country.
Chances are you’re someone who needs a combination of all three: coverage, minutes and data so let’s take a look at the main providers and one or two surprising options.
O2
There are some great deals currently available as part of a business package. We like the 18GB data package which offers you unlimited minutes and texts, plus Apple TV for one year if you include an iPhone in the package. Starting at around £60 a month, this package is great for those who make calls more than use data but want the option of adding more data to their plan if necessary.
EE
How about a SIM only package from this provider? If you’re happy with your current mobile phone then this deal offers great value for money with a whopping 40GB of data, unlimited texts and minutes and all for £18 per month.
Of course, you won’t have the opportunity to upgrade at any point but if you’re able to include your phone into your business expenses, you may find this a good solution for saving money and accessing the data and minutes you need, even for the short term.
Smarty
A relatively new player to the game, SMARTY Mobile UK uses the 3 network to provide great coverage and exceptionally good SIM only deals. Simple, straightforward pricing plans are what this network relies on, alongside some deals well worth taking a look at.
Their unlimited plan at £22 a month offers no caps on data, minutes or texts. A good option for those who have a team on the road and need to work from cafes, the car or elsewhere on the road.
Three
Besides letting other providers share their network, Three offers their own deals and has the latest phones available as part of that package. Choose an iPhone 11 with an unlimited plan and pay around £40 upfront and the same each month.
Vodafone
Finally, we have Vodafone which offers an Unlimited Lite SIM only deal, perfect if your calls are UK-based and you do the majority of your work in the UK. Prices start at around £20 but download speeds can be increased when you buy a slightly more expensive package.
You’ll need to spend a little more if you enjoy streaming videos or listening to music a lot when you’re out about away from a WIFI network and reliant on 4G.
And The Phone
The top two come in the form of iPhone and Samsung and are regularly offered by the big names as part of a monthly package but there are realistic alternatives to these giants that, though cheaper, don’t compromise on quality?
We like the Google Pixel 3 XL. This smartphone is a scaled down version of a smartphone, with an easy to use interface and a fantastic camera. Simple to use, ready to connect to the Google Play store and of course much cheaper than a new iPhone or Samsung.
We were also impressed with the Blackberry Key 2. If you thought this brand had disappeared, you’re wrong and for those who prefer a real keyboard to a smartscreen then this is still a great option and an affordable one.
The great thing is that Blackberry has taken on Android as its operating system so you get the best of both worlds with a keyboard and access to as many Apps as you need to make life easier.
When you’re running your own business the last thing you need is to waste your time and your money on technology that lets you down and finds you scrabbling around to find reception and a data connection.
With so much choice on the market, the obvious choice of a large provider and of one of the bigger household names in mobile phones isn’t necessarily the best one. Instead you have the opportunity to think a little more outside the box and find deals that will keep the costs down and your business running smoothly.
You can have your cake and eat it with the emergence of more and more independent providers, giving the larger names a good run for their money and giving the consumer so much more choice with good SIM only packages.
Check out what you value most in both a provider and in a phone and use our handy guide to choose a winning combination that brings together all the elements that you need.
