OPTIONS FOR MOBILE PHONE USERS

Mobile phone market is always vibrant irrespective of the country or region in the modern world. There are varieties of products to cater the needs of individual consumers. As affordability is an important factor, mobile phones with different price tags are flooding the markets. But shoppers have to work out plans prudently. The consumers can have the advantages of the prevailing buyers market. The demand and supply position in the mobile phone market is well balanced. The market leaders, many of them multinational companies are engaged in ‘no hold barred’ duels in their endeavours to capture their market shares. Innumerable brands and models of the products are being introduced in the markets in response to the growing demands. Same brands of mobile phones are available with different price tags. The shoppers have to choose the right device after carefully planning the deals.

The most popular and widely practiced mode of buying mobile phones is the contract system. The handset, SIM card and the network service are offered by the company who manufacture the product or their authorized service providers. The consumers can opt for pre-paid or post paid schemes to avail the services. A contract will have to be concluded detailing the terms and conditions applicable under the particular scheme. The subscriber to the scheme has to pay the amount due as per the bills at the end of the specific terms, which will invariably be monthly. Those who opt for pre-paid system can do accordingly. It is known as pay-as-you-go scheme. There is no need for a contract. Subscribers will have to pay in advance the specific amounts and have to top up amounts in credit periodically. Payments can be effected as and when it is required depending on the intensity of usage. This is suitable for those who make use of mobile phone sparingly. The service will be subjected to certain restrictions. But the consumer can enjoy the freedom to terminate the service at any given time. It is also possible to limit the usage and subscriber will be able to exercise restraints in order to reduce the spending. But there are some disadvantages. The consumer will have to buy handset independently. Calls and downloading of data will be costlier than the rates applicable under the contract scheme. In the case of contract system charges will be cheaper. Further subscribers can choose a convenient package to suit budgets. Handsets will be provided by the service providers as a part of the deal. The drawback is that the subscriber will have to pay hefty bills at the end of the month. The subscriber will also have to pay penal charges if the service is terminated prematurely.

Another system is to go for a SIM free mobile phone. GSM mobile handsets are available without SIM cards. The consumer after buying such a handset can choose a network service in the locality. This system facilitates the users to change carriers without changing handsets, subject to the compatibility with the Global System for mobile Communications technology.