You could be paying the price for remaining loyal to one telco

Having a mobile phone leaves a big dent in the household budget - but let’s face it, we cannot live without it. See how you can save.

When was the last time you looked into your mobile phone plan? Chances are you may not need all the data you’re paying for.

And your loyalty could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year. In fact, comparison site Finder found staying loyal to your mobile phone provider could cost you more than $30 a month – that’s $373 a year.

“I understand that people are scared to switch telcos because we are so reliant on our phones for everything these days,” says Finder’s tech expert Angus Kidman. “But switching telcos is so easy and I would encourage people to do it if they find they can save money.

“Chances are, the only one benefiting from your loyalty is the telco, and you’ll find you are the one paying the price for it.”

When was the last time you looked into your mobile phone plan?

Mobile networks in Australia are run by three companies – Telstra, Optus and TPG/Vodafone. Other mobile service providers, like Circles Life and Amaysim, use these networks to provide their service. And there are big differences between what they charge.

Two in five people have been with their mobile service provider for six years, according to Finder, and almost one third would remain loyal even if their monthly bill increased.

“Most of us have no idea how much data we are using,” says Genevieve Brock, head of marketing at Circles Life, one of the newest digital telcos to hit the market. “You may find you are not using all the data you have available each month and could be saving a lot of money if you switch.”

Jason Boys, with his wife and three daughters, saves $160 a month by switching telcos.

Father of three from Port Macquarie in NSW, Jason Boys, was with his mobile service provider for 10 years when he discovered he could save $55 a month by switching to Circles Life’s $10 for 10GB plan, the cheapest entry level plan in the country.

“I just stayed with the same company out of habit,” says Boys, who has also swapped his wife and three daughters over to Circles Life, saving the family $160 a month.

“We’re in a reception black spot and couldn’t even make calls from inside the house before. Now we are paying a lot less and we can use Wi-Fi calling to make calls.

“My advice to people is you’d be silly not to shop around and see what’s available.”