Warning issued as millions overpaying for phone contract, here's how to cut down your bill

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has warned there will be a huge price hike on mobile phones this April and that up to 9 million Brits could be out of contract and overpaying.

Lewis has issued the 8-week warning as the major telecommunication companies get ready to increase prices by 14% on average. He has urged mobile users to use price comparison websites to shop around for different packages and has offered some tips on how to get the best deal.

9 million Brits out of contract

Lewis issued the warning during his ITV Martin Lewis Money Show broadcast on Tuesday, in which he emphasised the importance of checking different providers to get the best deal for your needs, as per The Mirror:

Last week I told you broadband and mobile bills are going up 14% in April for most of the big firms.

What I want you to do first is I want you to check if you're out of contract. Over nine million of you are overpaying.

If you're out of contract there are actually some of you - outrageously, and this should not be allowed - who got a contract with a handset and once you paid the handset off, they keep the price at the same level so you're still paying the with-handset price even if you're no longer using it.

Read more:

⋙ Millions of Android users urged to check phone immediately as Google bans popular apps

⋙ Millions of Samsung users urged to check their phone as serious security problem revealed

How to reduce your mobile phone bill

Lewis explained that you must be willing to change providers to get the best deal and if you’re out of contract then it’s very likely you’re paying too much for your mobile phone. He added there is not a huge difference in performance between networks as many are just using each others signals:

There are only four networks in the UK - EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Every other mobile provider is piggybacking on their signal.

As such, go to a comparison website to see if you can get a better deal and when comparing prices, check how many minutes and data you're using in your current deal so you know you’re getting the right package for your needs.

Generally the cheapest phone tariffs are SIM-only deals because you're only paying for your minutes, data, texts and any other allowances.

However if you don’t want to switch networks, you can talk to your current provider and tell them the prices you’ve seen elsewhere and try to negotiate a new deal.

It is worth noting that you may be charged an exit fee for switching so one thing you can do is ‘free text INFO to 85075 on your current phone’ to find out if you’re out of contract or have termination fees, as per The Sun.

Read more:

⋙ Brits warned about phone settings as major service will be 'cut off' from next month

Sources used:

- The Mirror 'Martin Lewis issues eight-week warning to mobile phone users ahead huge price hikes'

- The Sun 'Martin Lewis Money Show: Money Saving Expert issues urgent warning to anyone with a mobile phone'