Phone users miss out on savings

A new government report highlights just how much consumers could save on their phone bills. Many consumers are not getting as good a deal as they could on their telephone bills – that’s the conclusion of a new Committee of Public Accounts report. The report also blasts regulator Oftel for not doing more to encourage people to switch to a cheaper supplier.

How to save money
Usefully, the report outlines some simple steps consumers can take to reduce their phone bills. These include:

Regularly reviewing your tariff
Changes in circumstances can affect the number and type of calls a consumer makes and therefore the best tariff for them. Customers should regularly review how they call and when they make their calls. If you find that you are making more daytime calls then a tariff that offers discount on weekend calls wouldn’t be the best plan for you.

Save even more money
But even greater savings could be achieved if consumers switch to another supplier. The report blasted the telecoms regulator for not actively encouraging consumers to switch. It said: “Oftel did not follow the practice of Ofgem and Energywatch in encouraging consumers to switch supplier to get a better deal. Switching supplier or tariff is, however, the best way to take advantage of competition.”

Jon Miller, new product director of online utility comparison service uSwitch.com, adds: “It is good news for consumers that MPs are finally addressing the issue of home telephone as there are huge savings to be made. While customers have cottoned on to switching energy provider, less switching takes place in the home telephone sector - our research shows that consumers can save an average of £160 a year by switching home phone provider.”

Switch now and start saving
Active Debt Solutions ltd has teamed up with uSwitch.com to enable you to compare phone suppliers’ prices and switch to a new supplier quickly and easily. uSwitch.com is the only website to have the Ofcom PASS accreditation meaning that you can be assured that the information it gives you is impartial and accurate.

Click here now to compare phone suppliers for you.