People switch smartphones often.
But they give little thought to the mobile plan that powers it.
Many rarely analyse their current mobile plans. The only time they do consider other operators is when they face a problem and they go from pillar to post for a solution.
And then there are those who review their mobile plans, especially during holidays or events.
This guide is for both these categories of people. It talks about the signs to look for to change your current plan, the factors you should consider before picking a new plan and some SIM-only plans from Lyca Mobile. Continue reading.
5 Signs You Should Change Your Current Plan
Switching between mobile plans has never been easier!
You now have a lot of options in the UK, be it MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) or MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). The trick here is to choose one that meets your monthly call, text and data needs without going over your budget. Don’t forget about reliable connectivity and friendly, knowledgeable customer support.
So, here are 5 signs that tell it’s time to change your current mobile plan.
01Your Budget Has Changed
Life is unpredictable.
One moment, you’re flying high, and the next, you’re hit by some unexpected hardship.
A change in financial circumstances will introduce budgetary constraints into everything, including your monthly mobile plan.
So, if your financial condition makes your current mobile plan too expensive, then it’s time to change it, preferably to a lower-cost option.
Financial difficulties aside, you can also switch to a different plan/operator if you’re not comfortable with the amount you’re spending each month.
02You’re Using Your Phone More/Less
A person’s phone habits change as they go through life.
They might engage in a lot of social media scrolling when they’re in school or university, but the duration drastically comes down when they enter the workforce. All of a sudden, they’re using their phone only for a couple of hours a day.
If this sounds like you, the odds are that you might be paying for benefits you don’t use. In such situations, it’s recommended to downgrade your mobile plan.
The opposite of this is true as well.
Some might find themselves using their phone more than usual. They might run out of benefits (minutes, texts and data) before the 30-day period ends. Under these circumstances, the right course of action is to upgrade to a better plan.
03You’re Constantly Running into Problems
You’re carrying your phone wherever you go, and there’s a reason for that. A smartphone with a stable internet connection gets many things done.
But if your current mobile plan is riddled with issues, then the experience isn’t going to be a very nice one.
Dead zones, frequent drops in internet speeds, and poor network quality are three reasons you should switch, not just your plan but also your mobile provider.
04You’re Getting a Better Deal
Your current mobile plan might serve you well, but if you come across a similar plan at a better price, then it doesn’t make sense to stick with your current plan.
Seasonal offers, like the deals for Halloween, present a great opportunity to upgrade your current mobile plans. These deals pack more benefits at attractive prices. That said, it helps to read the fine print for more information.
05You’re Not Happy with Your Current Provider
This is related to what we said earlier.
You don’t have to stick with your current provider just because you have been with them for a while.
If the minor inconveniences are recurrent, like poor customer support, network issues at specific times of the day or too many spammy messages, then it’s time to move to a different operator.
You don’t have to put up with everything, especially since there’s always a better mobile plan out there.
Factors to Consider When Switching to a Different Plan
So, you’ve finally decided to switch to a different mobile plan?
There are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you have a better experience with the new plan/provider.
Here are some factors you should consider when switching to a different plan.
- Plan Model: This is related to moving from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa. If you’ve been a prepaid user and want to save more, then a postpaid plan might be a great choice. If you’re a postpaid user and want more control over your budget, then a prepaid plan might be the one for you.
- Usage: Get a rough estimate of your monthly call, text and data needs before upgrading/downgrading your plan.
- Budget: Fix an amount you’re comfortable spending each month.
- Coverage: If you’re switching providers because of poor coverage, then your goal should be to look for coverage maps of potential operators. Coverage maps (like this one from Lyca Mobile) give you a clear picture of the network strength in a specific location.
Get a New Number or Stick with the Old Number?
This is another important decision to make.
Some look at the change from an old number to a new number as a chance to start something fresh.
On the other hand, most people look at the hassle involved in updating everyone about the change in number.
But this isn’t much of a problem when you consider mobile number portability, which offers the best of both worlds. You get to switch to a new operator while retaining your old number.
You’ll need a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) for this process. You can get it by sending a text message “PAC” to 65075. Once you get this code, the next step is to reach out to the provider you’re moving to and purchase a plan.
Lyca Mobile Plans Worth Considering
Since we’re talking about upgrading mobile plans and savings, we really cannot ignore these SIM-only plans from Lyca Mobile.
They get you all the essential benefits, like high-speed 5G data allowance and local calls and SMS, along with awesome add-ons, like international minutes and dedicated roaming data.
| Plan Name | UK Plan Unlimited | UK Plan Mega Plus | National Plus | UK Plan Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Price | £25.00 | £20.00 | £10.00 | £5.00 |
| Promotional Price | £12.50 | £10.00 | £5.00 | £3.50 |
| Data Allowance | Unlimited | 120 GB | 30 GB | 5 GB |
| Local Calls & Texts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1000 Minutes & SMS |
| International Minutes | 100 minutes to 48 countries | 100 minutes to 48 countries | 100 minutes to 48 countries | 100 minutes to 48 countries |
| EU Roaming Data | 35 GB | 12 GB | 12 GB | 5 GB |
| China Roaming Data | 5 GB | 3 GB | 500 MB | N/A |
| Credit Check | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Wi-Fi Calling | Enabled | Enabled | Enabled | Enabled |
Please read the terms and conditions for more information about promotional prices.
Note that you can bring your current number to Lyca Mobile with these plans. The process is quite simple.
Make the Right Choice
The right mobile plan can make everyday life quite simple. Make the switch if you feel you’ve had enough.
You will not have to worry about dead zones or complain about slow internet. You also don’t have to spend more than 10 minutes talking to customer support.
Also, remember that you don’t have to change your current number. You can switch operators without changing your number.
So, look around a bit and make the right choice. Lyca Mobile has quite a lot of SIM-only deals and pay monthly deals across a range of prices. We’re sure you’ll find one that fits your budget and meets your monthly mobile connectivity requirements.