As a company, there are a lot of essential choices that you're going to have to make. For example, you'll need to pick whether you want to go with a SIM-Only deal or a contract phone plan for your workers. It's always a debate - there are merits and detriments to both. But when was the last time anyone compared them? We'll be taking a look at which one is going to be best for you, to help out with the decision-making.
SIM Only
So, let's take a look at SIM-only deals. What do they offer to a company?
SIM-Only is, unsurprisingly, a deal with only the SIM included. You pay a set amount each month, and the trade-off is that you get to put the card into whatever phone you like without any issues. The deals offer fixed provisions of texts and internet usage, but they're very flexible.
On the other hand, they don't come with a handset, obviously, which can make them less useful if you don't have the necessary facilities to get all of the benefits, like free subscriptions to music services or other perks included in a contract deal.
Contract Phones
On the other end of the spectrum, you've got the contract phone deals. These are different again because they offer you the phone and the SIM to go with it, and this means that not only can you have all the benefits of a new SIM, but you also have a brand new handset to go with it. Understandably, this is a popular choice for people who want to have a shiny new model every time.
The downsides? Well, it's a lot more expensive than before, and you'll find that there are other issues such as having to have an additional monthly cost, and in some cases, having to take the time to re-optimise the device to work for your company completely.
Which is Best?
Okay, so what's the best choice for you? Well, we're looking at things from the perspective of a company, and not an individual. While one person might find that a contract phone plan is the best choice, a company will find this to be a massively expensive process, especially given the rate at which mobile phone companies produce new models.
Our best advice? Treat your devices like IT hardware. Only upgrade them when you need to, and not when something new and shiny comes out. Stick to SIM-Only plans, because they can go into custom handsets made for the business. It's going to be an inexpensive and more sensible way to do things.
What do you think?
Replies
If a new phone is what you need, there are a limited number of mobile phone providers who subscribe to the Which? "Fixed means fixed" promise ie if you enter a 24 month contract, the cost of phone and SIM at month 24, is the same at month 1.
Seems fair to me.
Hey Geoff. Fixed pricing is certainly good for budgeting. Issue many of us dont understand ks the actual cost breakdown of fixed of it comes with a "free" handset. Often the real cost of the handset can be inflated by at least 20% over term. I like a freebie like most others as a consumer, but phone contracts are getting out of control as device price go through the roof. Cheers for your input Geoff. Have a great weekend, Ian
Ooo! I like this post. I have wondered about moving to a sim only plan but never really had all the information to help me decide. This has been really helpful, thank-you.
Always worth weighing up your options. Free handsets arent free so you just have to think about the real worth to you as a user. . Thanks for your comment Mia
Thanks very much for sharing with the members, Ian. That's really helpful
Thanks Andrew. Hopefully gives a few some food for thought and help when deciding on their next shiny upgrade as we are all guilty of shiny shiny purchases.