01 April 2024 , 07:00
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It's April 1, which means from today a handful of UK mobile, energy, broadband and TV providers will start to increase prices for existing customers. Sky, O2, EE, and Three Mobile are just a few well-known providers that have confirmed higher prices, but one new SIM deal could help customers avoid the added fees.
The awaited price increases just happen to fall on April Fools too, although unfortunately, it's not avoidable if you're already mid-contract. Depending on the provider, customers will face hikes average hikes of 7.9% but some retailers like O2 will whack the price up by 8.8% to cover inflation rates.
It's a huge added cost and one which means many mobile users are starting to shop around, and one lesser-known mobile provider is offering the cheapest SIM plan we've spotted so far this week. And to top it off you won't be tied into any contract, so you can ditch it in the event its prices go up, thanks to SMARTY'S new deal.
READ MORE: Mobile customers are facing contract price hikes but this unlimited SIM won't tie you in
READ MORE: Exact mobile providers that won't up your bill in 2024 from GiffGaff to Lebara and more
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The budget mobile provider has just launched a mega-data offer by tripling the data amount offered on its usual £8 a month 16GB SIM plan, where you'll now get 50GB for the same price. Giving mobile users a lot more for their money, where a quick look at Sky Mobile's SIM (with the same amount of data) will cost users £14 a month.
O2 is no better and it just takes a quick look here to see its more expensive rates, a 12GB Plus plan here would set you back £17.99 a month. A similar 40GB a month plan at giffgaff, despite offering a smaller data amount, is nearly double the price of SMARTY at £15 a month.
SMARTY piggybacks off of the ThreeMobile network but limits services offered by bigger networks so it's able to offer cheaper prices (Three)But the cheaper price isn't the only perk, in fact, it's just the start. While the above provider 'deals' work out to be more expensive, customers also lock into a minimum 12-month contract (depending on the provider), meaning there's no avoiding any price rises but SMARTY'S £8 a month 50GB data SIM is rolling, so you could leave after 30-days.
Along with the providers' fellow deals, including 60GB for £10 a month, 100GB for £12, or an unlimited data SIM for £20 a month, its plan runs on a 30-day flexible contract, unlike Sky and O2 (to name a few) you can leave without paying any exit fees. The deal also includes unlimited UK calls, texts, and 12GB of EU roaming allowance.
Worried about the April mobile increases?
Navigating the exit fees and T&Cs of a specific mobile contract can be overwhelming for existing customers, especially as each provider fluctuates the exact amount it'll increase bills by. New mobile shoppers will also want to make sure they're locking into a good deal.
Over the past few months, we've rounded up all the information mobile users could need to know about rising bills, and how to avoid price hikes. From the providers that aren't upping bills and new SIM deals, we're here to help.
For information on the list of UK mobile providers that won't up prices for existing customers, click here in our feature: 'Exact mobile providers that won't up your bill in 2024 from GiffGaff to Lebara and more'.
To find more deals on flexible, leave anytime SIM plans you can read the latest from giffgaff; 'Giffgaff launches eye-catching data deal, it'll save you £180 and there's no limit' and Lyca Mobile here; 'Mobile customers are facing contract price hikes but this unlimited SIM won't tie you in'.
As well as the 2024 April price hikes, other factors could influence users bills too including the upcoming merge between Vodafone and Three Mobile. Which you can read all about here; 'You could face higher bills at Vodafone and Three as providers set to merge'.