Lowering mobile phone costs could encourage more people to switch

The latest move by Ofcom to lower the costs of calling mobile phones on other networks could encourage more people to switch providers, as well as reducing costs, says Citizens Advice.

Proposals to cut the costs to under 0.5 pence per minute will particularly help those on Pay as You Go contracts - who often tend to have lower incomes - avoid large, unexpected bills.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“Reducing mobile bills would buck the trend of other rising household costs.  Cutting the amount charged for calling a mobile on another network builds on Ofcom's work so far which has already decreased these call costs by just over 13 pence per minute. This not only saves people money but could encourage more people to switch mobile phone providers as they may no longer feel tied to the firm that many of their friends and families are with.

"We help with over 28,000 mobile problems a year where often shock bills, not getting what was promised and billing errors were at the heart of customers' complaints. Mobile phone companies need to strive to solve these problems including helping people avoid running up large bills abroad.”

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.