By Elliot Wright, 18th January 2010
Brits with mobile phones are losing £13bn on wasted texts and
minutes, according to a report by moneysupermarket.com.
The price comparison site found that the average adult wastes
over £250 worth of mobile allowance a year - this is the equivalent
to 27 hours of calls.
On a monthly basis, mobile users waste 45% of their tariff's
minutes and text allowance as the mobile industry rakes in billions
of pounds from the pricy contracts.
Experts believe millions of consumers are signing up to
contracts that exceed their needs in order to get premium handsets
- such as the iPhone - for a cheaper one-off price.
For example, a Nokia N900 on an 18-month Vodafone contract with
250 texts and 75 minutes will set the customer back £210 for the
handset. To get the phone for free the customer has to take out a
contract that gives them 3000 minutes a month - a limit that most
users rarely come close to reaching.
Compared to 2007, adults are now wasting up to 40% more minutes
and twice as many texts - with 98 minutes wasted per month two
years ago compared to 137 minutes now.
Mike Wilson, manager of mobiles and broadband at
moneysupermarket.com said:"With a rise in
the popularity of the iPhone and other smartphones with increased
capabilities and internet access, the allowance of texts and
minutes on a tariff has become less important. With these other
considerations taking priority, people are wasting more texts and
minutes than ever before.
"It's great that consumers are under their monthly allowance to
avoid any extra costs, but it's also important to get the most out
of your contract for what you pay each month. One of the best ways
to do this is to assess what your monthly usage is and find a
contract that suits you best. You may find a much lower, cheaper
tariff meets your needs."
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