Customers who have phone contracts with the “Big Four” mobile companies could save more than £200 a year by switching when their contract ends.
Consumer group Which? calculated how much out-of-contract customers of EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone could save by switching to their top pick of low, medium and high data deals.
They found out-of-contract customers with the Big Four pay an average of £22.37 a month - which is significantly higher than the average £19.01 monthly bill across all providers.
Yet, Which? recently found 52% said they only use up to 5GB a month - so many customers could make significant savings by switching to a cheaper, low-data deal.
Which? found that the average out-of-contract EE customer in the survey pays £23.80 per month for their phone plan.
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Which? also found that the top low data pick currently on the market was Smarty’s 4GB for £5 deal.
If EE customers opted for this deal instead, they may save £225.60 a year, or £18.80 a month.
This is closely followed by out-of-contract Vodafone customers who pay an average of £22.20 and could save £206.40 - £17.20 a month - by switching to Smarty’s 4GB offer.
For those who wanted more data, iD Mobile’s 200GB for £14 offer was also highly-rated by Which? as an affordable option.
EE was one of many mobile phone providers who increased their prices in April (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)With many providers pushing ahead with price hikes of up to 17%, out-of-contract customers should switch quickly to cut costs.
However, not all customers can switch so easily.
Millions are currently trapped in a "Catch-22" where they either have to accept price hikes of up to 17% or pay exorbitant exit fees to leave the contract early.
Which? has called on providers to allow all customers to leave without penalty if prices are hiked mid-contract but many are ploughing ahead with their existing plans regardless, they say.
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which? said: “Our findings show that some out-of-contract Big Four customers could save over £200 a year just by switching mobile providers.
"Anyone in that position should be thinking about making a switch or at least haggling for a much better deal from their current provider.
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“However, millions will be trapped in costly contracts by exorbitant exit fees - and feeling the pain of eye-watering price increases of up to 17%.
“Which? believes it's absolutely critical that Ofcom's review of inflation linked mid-contract hikes results in changes that ensure customers are never trapped in this situation again.”
It comes after April 1, branded "April Cruel Day" by the Mirror as several costs went up at once, saw the major hike in phone contract costs.
An EE spokesperson told The Mirror: “We aim to make sure our customers are always on the best deal for them.
"We contact our customers near the end of their contract, and periodically while out of contract, to remind them of our latest deals.
"All out of contract EE customers are eligible for a 10% discount after being out of contract for three months.
"Customers can regularly track their data usage through the MyEE app.
"We’re the only network that makes sure you stay online and connected even when your monthly data allowance runs out, through our Stay Connected Data offering.”
Vodafone said it "encouraged" customers to check their plans at the end of their contracts (PA)A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: “Unlike the other mobile network operators, nearly a decade ago we launched contracts which automatically reduce customers’ bills as soon as they’ve finished paying for their handsets - so our customers are already saving big when their contract ends.
"This automatic saving is in addition to the host of benefits we offer to customers including inclusive EU Roaming and O2 Priority which offers exclusive rewards, unique experiences and daily perks, as well as Priority Tickets for thousands of gigs and events across the UK.”
A Vodafone spokesperson told the Mirror: “We encourage everyone to review their plan at the end of any contract so they can make sure they’re on the right deal for their needs – which often change over time.
"At the end of every contract period we notify our customers of the best value deals available, and can also support them in finding this online, over the phone and in stores.”
“We offer a wide range of great value packages and customers can save by bringing their mobile and broadband contracts to us – (up to £380 a year).
"Our loyalty programme Very Me gives customers a range of additional discounts on days out, discounts on takeaways, free coffees and more.”
Three declined to comment.
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