Out-of-contract broadband and mobile customers could save £2.6 billion through Black Friday switches
One in six mobile customers could be overpaying by almost £2 billion a year as they are out of contract[1]
Nearly six million Brits on expired pay-monthly mobile deals could save £321 a year by hanging onto their handset and switching to SIM Only[2]
Over four million households could be out of contract on their broadband and missing out on an average saving of £162, a total of £729 million[2][3]
Some of the best mobile deals this Black Friday are from Lebara, with an offer including 5GB of data, unlimited calls and texts for £4.95 a month, discounted to £1.98 for the first four months[4]
Meanwhile, one of the best broadband deals is from BT, offering 67Mbps speeds and a £110 gift card for £16.99 a month for the first six months[4]
Mobile and broadband customers could be overpaying by £2.6 billion this Black Friday by not switching to a new deal, according to new research fromUswitch.com, the comparison and switching service[1][2][5].
There are close to six million mobile customers estimated to be out of contract on a pay-monthly handset deal and still paying for a phone they have already bought over the course of their deal[1]. However, customers on an expired mobile handset deal can save £321 a year on average when switching to a new SIM Only deal[2].
There are about four million households in the country on expired broadband deals that are still paying for an outdated package, costing a combined £729 million. Yet, Brits choosing to switch to a new broadband deal could save £162 if they are out of contract[3].
As mobile networks and broadband providers gear up for the biggest shopping event of the year this week, Uswitch.com has announced some of its best deals ahead of Black Friday.
When it comes to SIM Only offers, some of the best on the market this Black Friday are with Lebara. One of its strongest deals comes with unlimited calls, texts and 5GB of data for £4.95 per month, reduced to £1.98 for the first four months[4]. If you want extra data, you can bag a deal for £6.95 per month with 15GB, discounted to £2.78 for the first four months[4]. Three also has a deal that gives you unlimited calls and texts and 8GB of data for £6 a month[4]. All these offers are exclusive to Uswitch.
For broadband consumers, one of the best deals is from BT, delivering 67 Mbps speeds and costing £16.99 per month for the first six months. This also comes with a £110 virtual gift card[4]. We have seen some great deals from Community Fibre, including one for £13.75 for the first 12 months, offering 200Mbps speeds, which comes with a £90 Amazon voucher[4].
Catherine Hiley, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year for retailers and a time when they bring out some of their best deals. Savvy shoppers can grab a bargain on their broadband, mobiles and TV packages, so long as they know what they’re looking for.
“Don’t forget that Black Friday now extends far beyond one day, and you can expect plenty of providers to be offering discounts ahead of the 25 November. Keep an eye out for deals now and monitor any changes in price so you’re ready to pounce.
“This time of year can be a great time to get a bargain on a new mobile handset, especially if you are willing to go for one that isn’t the latest model. Providers often use these sales to shift older stock and will cut prices accordingly.
“If you’re keen to get your hands on the latest devices, consider picking a refurbished phone. This will save you money, particularly if you pair it with a SIM Only deal. Refurbished devices are often indistinguishable to full-price new models and come with a guarantee for added peace of mind.
“Some of the best mobiles deals out there don’t have to include a handset, so consider if you need one or if you are happy with your existing handset. There are a variety of excellent SIM Only deals on the market to suit every need.
“Some broadband and mobile deals also include virtual gift cards, which could go towards your Christmas shopping. You can also use cashback sites to maximise the benefits you get with your Black Friday buys.”
You can find the best Black Friday deals for SIM Only here and the best deals on broadband packages here.
Notes to editors
Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from the 14th to 18th October 2022. Results were weighted to reflect a nationally representative criteria.
1. Respondents were asked ‘When is your current broadband and mobile contract due to end? Please think of ‘in contract’ as currently being tied to a contract that has not yet expired, usually over a 12- or 24-month period’, 16.5% of respondents with a provider other than one that only offers SIM-only deals said ‘I’m out of contract’ or ‘November 2022’. 16.5% of UK adult population (52,890,000) = 8,726,850 people. According to Ofcom, 67% of mobile users have a handset as part of their contract, 67% of 8,726,850 = 5,846,990. In addition, 16.25% of broadband customers said that they were out-of-contract on their broadband deal, or it was expiring in November 2022. 16.25% of UK broadband-connected UK households (27,700,000) = 4,501,250 households.
2. According to the latest savings figures from Uswitch, out-of-contract mobile customers with a handset as part of their deal can save £321 a year by moving to a SIM-only deal. 5,846,990 (out-of-contract mobile customers) x £321 (savings figure) = £1,876,883,790.
3. According to the latest savings figures from Uswitch, out-of-contract broadband customers can save £162 by moving to a new deal. 4,501,250 (out-of-contract households) x £162 (savings figure) = £729,202,500
4. Deals provided by Uswitch.com are correct as of 22/11/22.
5. £1,876,883,790 (amount being missed out on by out-of-contract mobile customers) + £729,202,500 (amount being missed out on by out-of-contract broadband customers) = combined total of £2,606,086,290.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.