Smartphones
Smartphones have advanced mobile operating systems that combine some of the features of a personal computer with a digital camera and video camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS navigation, the ability to run apps and games, plus much more.
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Whether there are charges for cancelling your mobile phone plan depends on your provider and the type of plan. If you’ve signed up for a set period (usually 12 or 24 months), most providers will charge you an Early Termination Fee for breaking the contract. In some circumstances, such as recontracting to a new plan with the same provider, these charges may be waived
If your plan includes repayments for a mobile phone handset, you’ll need to repay the remaining cost of your handset, which is generally a separate charge to the Early Termination Fee. To find out more, review your plan’s Critical Information Summary, which can be found on your provider’s website.
A SIM only plan provides you with a SIM card with a set amount of mobile data, talk time and text. Some providers may offer other inclusions, such as free access to different apps and services depending on their agreements. The SIM can then be used in your own ‘BYO’ mobile handset, provided it’s unlocked for use on any network.
SIM only plans are often cheaper than mobile phone plans, as your monthly charge doesn’t include the cost of a new handset. Depending on your individual provider, there may be the option of signing up for a month-to-month (casual), 12-month or 24-month plan.
Mobile coverage can be affected by a number of factors, including technology, radio frequency, and geography. Some frequencies provide better regional coverage, while others are designed to penetrate through obstacles, such as tall buildings.
Before you sign up with a provider, you should consider whether your usage will mainly be in regional or metropolitan areas, and review their network details accordingly.
If you’re experiencing coverage problems with your existing service, you should contact your provider. There are steps they will need to take to determine the issue, including assessing whether there’s a fault with your handset, before determining how the matter can be resolved.
Mobile technology has advanced significantly over the years, with different levels of speed and capability progressively being released. At present, 4G is the standard within Australia for mobile data.
The term “4G” stands for fourth-generation, and refers to speed in which your mobile accesses the internet. Faster than its 3G predecessor, it can clock data speeds up to 100mbps, with a minimum latency (delay) of 10 milliseconds.
5G is the next step beyond 4G. Already being tested by some providers in different regions throughout Australia, it’s anticipated to be commercially available by 2020. When using 5G, users can expect near-zero latency, and data rates of up to 10gbps.
The main difference between postpaid and prepaid are reflected in their names. When you choose a postpaid plan, you pay for the service each month after you’ve used it.
When you choose prepaid, you pay in advance. Both options offer voice, data, and SMS inclusions for a single fee, however they may vary widely depending on which provider you choose.
Other key differences include:
Postpaid plans | Prepaid plans |
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Lease plans are a relatively new type of postpaid mobile phone plan. While you still receive a handset as part of your contract, the monthly handset repayments are smaller as you’re only leasing the handset, not paying to own it.
Not all mobile providers offer leasing plans at this stage. Depending on which provider you choose, you may be eligible to upgrade your handset after a set period of time, provided you return the leased handset in good condition, and enter into a new agreement. There may be fees to do so, which will be outlined in your Critical Information Summary.
Finding the right mobile phone plan for overseas travel depends on a variety of factors. Firstly you need to consider what country you’ll be visiting. Does your network provider have an agreement with any of the providers in that country?
This information may also determine the expense of your plan; if the agreement is expensive for your provider, some of those costs may be passed down in the plans.
Secondly, will you be using the service for business or personal use? If it’s for business, your company may offer to cover all or part of the charges. If it’s for personal, it may be worth looking into the available Wi-Fi services at your destination to see how you can keep your roaming fees to a minimum.
A bad credit rating can make it difficult to sign up for a mobile phone plan, but there are options available depending on your needs. What the ‘best’ one is ultimately comes down to how you intend to use the service.
Many providers offer prepaid plans. As you don’t need to commit to a contract, and there’s no risk of excess data charges, getting a prepaid service is a good choice for most people with a bad credit rating.
If you were looking for a handset as part of your plan, however, you may need to make a payment in advance. This isn’t an additional fee, but rather a security blanket for the provider should they choose to supply you a service. Not all providers offer this service, and credit checks will still need to be performed before it can be offered.
Smartphones have advanced mobile operating systems that combine some of the features of a personal computer with a digital camera and video camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS navigation, the ability to run apps and games, plus much more.
You might have the option of adding additional features to your mobile plan depending on the provider. Some will allow you to pay extra for features such as music streaming for an additional cost.
Your phone's operating system is the software that manages its basic functions and features. For many smartphones this includes Bluetooth connection, GPS navigation, and the ability to connect to Wi-Fi and mobile networks. The operating system also allows you to access and interact with applications on the device.
When deciding on a plan, you can usually choose from prepaid or postpaid. Prepaid plans allow you to purchase credit upfront, while postpaid plans bill you for your previous month's usage.
You use data to access the Internet, download emails, stream music and videos, run some games and applications, and get directions. It's important to strike the right balance with your data allowance or you may end up paying more than you need to each month for unused data or excess data rates.
New songs from your favourite bands, binge-worthy TV shows, and cult movies. With a suitable data allowance, you may be able to enjoy a world of entertainment without clogging up your hard drive, thanks to apps that allow you to stream music and video from your smartphone.