O2 has launched three new contract-free pay monthly mobile plans – but cheaper deals can be found elsewhere.
It comes as industry experts have said the new rolling plans are “welcome” but haven’t “reinvented the wheel.”
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A hybrid between pay-as-you-go and pay-monthly contracts, O2’s new rolling plans give customers the ability to pay monthly for their data without committing to a long-term contract.
And instead of paying by direct debit, customers can pay for O2’s new rolling plan with a credit or debit card.
Plus, unlike in a conventional pay monthly contract, there’s no minimum period to commit to – so customers can cancel their payments whenever they choose to.
Customers can get 25GB of data, unlimited calls and texts for just £10 a month.
Those wanting more data can pay £15 a month for 70GB of monthly data, plus unlimited calls and texts.
And customers can pay £30 a month if they need 200GB of data.
According to O2, rolling plan customers get access to Priority, which gives exclusive access to the hottest events at O2 venues as well as a range of deals and offers, and free roaming in the EU.
Data rollover will also be available on the rolling plan, which lets customers roll over any unused data into the next month.
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Commenting on the new offering, Gareth Turpin, chief commercial officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “At the time of a cost-of-living crisis we know some people are looking for more flexibility, which is why we’ve created Rolling Plan.
“For those not wanting to commit to a fixed-term contract or having to top up a pay-as-you-go sim each month, these plans allow customers to only pay for the data and minutes they need in a way that suits them best.”
While telecoms experts have welcomed the new tariffs, they’ve said that O2’s offer is nothing new.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, said: “It’s positive to see a major network offering more flexible services for customers during the cost-of-living crisis, although O2 isn’t quite reinventing the wheel.
“Smaller providers like Lebara and Lyca Mobile have been offering these rolling contracts for a while at much lower price points.”
Indeed, customers can get a rolling contract with Lebara for as low as £4.90 a month with 5GB of data, and unlimited calls and texts, according to Uswitch.
For those who are more data-hungry, Lyca offers a 100GB rolling contract for £11.90 a month.
But if you can afford a pay monthly sim-only contract – you’ll save more money in the long term.
Jake Edmonds, mobile expert at MoneySuperMarket said the rolling plans are more expensive than O2’s 12-month offers.
For example, you can get 30GB for £10 on a 12-month contract, whilst for £15 a customer can get 100GB on a 12-month contract, according to the price comparison site.
Jake added: “The flexibility may suit some consumers more than extra data.”
How can I bag the best mobile deals?
Ernest said: “If you’re happy with your current handset, or can afford to pay for a new or refurbished model upfront, taking out a SIM-only plan is always the cheaper option.
But most importantly, do your homework before you commit to a new deal.
He added: “Before selecting a deal, assess how much data you really need to avoid overspending on eye-catching packages, and always check the network coverage in your area to ensure you get the service you require.”
A comparison site like Uswitch or MoneySuperMarket will show you a wide range of mobile phone deals from across the market and also have exclusive and limited-time offers.
And if you need a new handset we’ve already explained how you can save hundreds by buying a pre-loved mobile phone.
