Setting up a New Phone Service Account

It can be a good idea to review your phone services on an annual basis, as there are many different packages and plans now on offer from the various phone providers, and you could save money by switching to a new service when your current contract runs out.

Check the Costs

There is no point switching phone packages unless you are sure you are going to save money, so it is important to look at all of the costs involved including:

• Installation and Connection Fees – some providers will charge you set up fees for new accounts and this can include installation and connection of new equipment, sockets and phone lines, or reconnection of existing phone lines.
• Equipment – you can choose to rent or purchase phone equipment, so you will need to check the costs of each method carefully to choose the one that is most suited to your budgets and needs.  If you are sourcing equipment from a company other than your phone provider then servicing and maintenance costs will be down to you, as this equipment would not be covered by your contract, and you should also check to make sure it is approved for connection on the provider’s network, as any unapproved equipment could be removed.
• Payment – providers can charge more for payments via credit card or checks (as they can cost more to process), so watch out for any hidden costs on how you pay for your account.  The cheapest method is normally monthly payments by direct debit, but this may not suit all customers, and you may not want to choose a provider that charges you more if you want to pay by other means.

Check the Contract

If you need to sign up to a contract with your new phone account then make sure you request a full copy of this contract and double check all of the small print.  This will tell you not only the phone providers obligations, but also your obligations as the customers, and this is important as it will let you know how late payments, contract terminations, debts and connection violations will be dealt with.