Key areas you need to know before buying a business mobile

Buying a business mobile might seem a bit daunting with all the different options, but in reality, it’s pretty easy. Here’s our guide to finding your new device. 

Initial assessment 

The first thing you’ll need to do is evaluate your current situation, which means really considering what you’re going to require. This could be in terms of the number of handsets or whether you can get by with only a SIM. Ask yourself: 

• Do you need a SIM, handset or both? 

• What’s an appropriate length of contract for you? 

• If you need a handset, do you want one which is cost-effective or are you looking to impress with a top-of-the-range model? 

• And then, if you require multiple handsets, do you want to share data between them? 

• Do you require more than one handset or SIM? If so, how many? 

Network and connectivity 

If you get yourself a new handset or SIM card now, then it should be 5G-ready, so you shouldn’t need to worry about compatibility with the latest technology. But you will want to ensure that the contract and provider you choose caters for the areas you’re working in.  

Remember that when working at home or at the office as you’ll most likely be connected to the Wi-Fi, so signal strength is less likely to be an issue, but you will want to consider where you travel away from those bases.  

*Let’s take a break: Here’s a quick tip – the security conscious among you will want to avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. These can be hot spots for scammers, so when working remotely you may want to consider having your own 5G network connection you can work from to reduce the risk of cyber criminals stealing your data or gaining access to your files. 

To check data reception, we recommend using the Ofcom Coverage checker. This provides all the information you need to know about how each network performs around the country. 

Evaluating total costs 

It’s not uncommon for a business to make their decision based on cost. There are a few main areas that you’ll need to consider before signing up to pricey plans. 

• Data roaming charges for international travel, if this is essential for you. 

• Does your contract include upgrade costs if you’re looking to get a better handset? You don’t have to worry about these if you’re looking for a brand-new mobile or just requiring a new SIM only contract. 

• Before signing up to a plan, you’ll want to consider the cost of going over the data limit. In some cases, you can be caught out and pay quite a considerable amount over your typical pricing package, but this can be alleviated by setting a cost cap on your plan. 

Choosing your plan 

Identifying what you need is the final task before going out and actually buying the handset and/or SIM contract. Keep the following questions in mind whilst looking around. 

• Do you know which handset brand you would like? 

• What handsets can you and your business support and what have you had before? 

• Do you think you’ll want to upgrade before the end of your agreed contract, when a new handset model comes out for example? 

• Do you require aftercare with your contract? A provider typically has customer service teams to help when you need an extra hand. It’s worth exploring customer reviews to see what their feedback has been like previously. 

If you’re currently looking for a new phone or SIM, Switch My Service is here to help. Get an instant price by filling out the simple form here.