Sorting through the numerous mobile subscriptions to find the most suitable one can be so overwhelming and confusing.
We understand your plight which is why we’ve put together this easy guide just for you. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to choose a mobile subscription by considering certain crucial factors.
The Mobile Subscription Necessity Problem
Unlike three decades ago, our mobile phones have become essential items that do more than just make calls and send SMS to our loved ones. These devices have replaced many items we used to depend on in the past.
If you think we’re joking, you can read this article to see the many items your smartphone has replaced. These days, our mobile devices do the following, but not limited to these tasks:
- Pay bills
- Engage with others on social media
- Stream movies and TV shows
- Text and video chats
As a result of these “necessities,” many are always on the lookout for an affordable mobile subscription with excellent service, has an insane amount of data, and is fast.
Having a fast subscription is important, because what good is having 100 GB data when you can’t even download 1 MB per minute?
Mobile providers know these demands and needs and have numerous data solutions for existing and new customers.
Many of these mobile plans have a varied price range of about NOK 300 to 600 a month. However, you can still find some more expensive ones and others that are equally cheaper. For instance, there’s a NOK 149 subscription from Ice, and some that exceed NOK 1,000 a month.
However, your decision on which plan to choose shouldn’t just be done on a whim. You need to think about what you need before you decide.
Don’t be stuck up on just the price alone as there are other important factors to consider which the next section will reveal.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mobile Subscription
There are at least eight factors that must be considered before making a choice. They include data package, free call/SMS/MMS, coverage, use abroad, hidden costs, subscription terms, customer service, and family subscription. Let’s discuss all these factors in detail.
Data Package
For most people this is the factor they think of when choosing a mobile plan. With the way we are often conscious of the amount of data left and the amount used, it’s not a strange thing. However, you shouldn’t just choose a plan because of its outrageous data amount.
Instead, you need to be sure that the package you choose fits you need, by checking the amount of data you use monthly. To find this, check the previous invoices or your phone’s settings.
If you use your phone mostly to make calls and send texts from your home office with Wi-Fi, you don’t need to pay for a plan that comes with a lot of data.
Your mobile data will run out quickly, though, if you watch movies and TV shows while you’re on the go and make a lot of video calls.
You might have to pay a lot for extra data. If you use a lot of data, you might want to look into getting a mobile plan that gives you free data.
Free Call/SMS/MMS
You used to have to pay for each SMS and MMS you sent. Most cell phone companies now offer free talk and text messages.
This means you can text and call as much as you want. Even so, you should make sure it’s still part of the cell subscription.
Coverage
Make sure that the operator can reach you well, whether you’re at home, at work, or at the house. Poor coverage used to be a bigger issue, but there are still differences.
More people can connect in cities than in some valleys and mountain places. Being unable to watch the football game you’ve been looking forward to or having calls dropped is annoying.
Our country has three network providers: Telenor, Telia, and Ice. Each one does a good job in some places and not so well in others.
These three operators have let other subscription providers use their network. So, we have more providers to choose from but with the same network strength as the main operators.
Determine where you want the phone to work best. It may not work well if the house is in the mountains. You can check your operator for their service map to see the areas they cover.
It might also be a good idea to think about whether or not the cell plan includes 5G and whether you need it. You get less waiting time, faster speeds, and better service with 5G.
You can get good service with 5G no matter where you are. Many cell plans include data rollover, which moves data from one month to the next.
You can use this method if you want full control over how much data you use and the amount of GB you use changes.
Abroad Usage
The idea of “Roam Like Home” has made it easier to use your cell phone while traveling. Before, you had to pay high fees to do so.
This means you can use your cell phone the same way you do at home, without worrying about roaming fees going through the roof.
Different service providers have different terms and prices, so make sure you check these again before you decide.
As you choose a mobile plan with included GB, it might be smart to think about how much you will use your phone while you are traveling.
Also, keep in mind that countries outside of the EU and EEA have different rules and the cost is higher.
Hidden Costs
Keep in mind that there may be extra fees that can make your cell phone plan cost more than it did at first. Check out these price stealers:
- Extra data: Could it be that you often use more than the internet package that comes with your phone? Maybe you buy extra data all the time? This can quickly cost more than getting a cell phone plan that includes more internet in the monthly fee. Some service providers slow down your connection a lot if you use too much mobile data, while others charge a lot if you do.
- BankID on phones will be gradually removed: The service providers want people to use the app instead. You can still use this service for a bit longer before it is phased out. But there’s a hidden cost that you did not know about. The price is different for each operator: Telia charges NOK 0.99 per session, Telenor charges NOK 0.49, and Ice doesn’t charge anything.
- Billing fee: This is a cost that may be easy to forget about when dealing with cell phone plans. You are likely to pay for the paper bill if you get it sent to you. You can avoid the fee if you set up direct payments in your online bank.
- Twin sim: Different cell phone service companies have different prices for twin sims. If you need an extra SIM card, carefully compare the prices of these companies to choose the best one.
Subscription Terms
Every year, you should check the deal you have. Prices are going up everywhere, and the social economy has an effect on the costs of cell phone plans as well.
When picking a mobile contract, keep an eye out for deals that sound good. We want you to get your magnifying glass out.
If the deal seems too good to be true, you might not want to believe it. A small print message may say something so, don’t skim over it.
Look at the binding time. If you make a commitment that lasts too long, you might miss out on good deals from other providers.
Customer Service
Many people care about getting the right help right away when they have a problem.
You can find out how satisfied previous customers have been with their customer service by going to sites like the Norwegian Customer Barometer. You can also call the customer service and assess how they talk to you and answer your questions.
Several mobile operators have customer service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can read them via SMS, web chat, email, and phone. Before you decide, look at what the operator has to give!
Family Subscription
A family cell phone plan might be the best option if several people in the family will be using the same service provider.
Several service providers give this at a lower cost, and you can get everything on one bill and move GB between them. Most service providers let you have up to ten users.
Some cell plans come with a “children’s mode” that lets you control which websites your kids can see.
There is usually one owner who is in charge of all the family’s accounts. So, if you’re such an individual, you need to choose wisely, as it will have a huge impact on your pocket.
Conclusion
What do you think is most important? Determining this is what will largely determine the plan that will be beste, as the Norwegians will say.
Thankfully, we’ve taken some time to share some important factors to consider in this article.
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, it’s up to you to make the final decision. Take the time to read through the article again and research the communication industry and mobile providers. Don’t forget to look for hidden prices; this is where you can save money.