Phone “plans” have completely changed. Today, we consumers have multiple choices, lots more flexibility, plus the freedom to get a new phone when we want one, not on someone else’s timetable. Here are the new rules of switching carriers, plus the simple five-step way you can make a switch.
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You don’t have to wait for a new phone
Just when we’d finally become accustomed to replacing our phones every two years, everything changed. It used to be, when you signed up to a phone carrier you got a new phone for “free” along with a shiny, new 24-month contract. While that “free” phone may have been appealing, it wasn’t actually free. You were paying for it every month as part of that hefty bill. Plus, if you chose not to “upgrade” (and re-commit) after two years, you were actually overpaying for that phone. Nowadays, you can get a new phone or a new carrier anytime you choose, without the contract.
You can pay month-to-month
Essentially, two-year contracts are a thing of the past. When you switch to a new carrier, you are paying month-to-month and are free to get a new phone, or even leave at any time. This means you can also switch your plan each month— choosing the amount of data, minutes or text messages you want to use that month, and you aren’t “extending” your contract each time you do so.
You can buy a new phone … or not
With the new month-to-month billing, came a new way to buy phones. As you no longer buy that “free,” heavily subsidized phone when you sign your contract, carriers needed a new way to offer you a phone that didn’t mean spending $500 to $1,000 at once. (Yes, that’s how much smartphones can actually cost!)
Instead, you can buy the phone outright from your carrier (or in some cases, direct from the manufacturer) and spread the cost over a 24-month payment plan. This feels like a contract, but it’s not. You can still cancel your service with that carrier, anytime—you’ll just have to pay whatever balance remains on the phone’s purchase price when you leave. Plus, there’s often no down payment (although you will have to pay all the taxes upfront).
What’s more, with Xfinity Mobile you can bring your own device. Learn more about Xfinity Mobile’s BYOD program here.
You can switch anytime (if you’re not in a contract)
While most carriers no longer offer two-year contracts, you may still be in one. In this case, you will have to wait for your contract to be up or see if your new carrier will cover any of your early termination fees. The only thing that may “tether” you to your old carrier is your old phone. If you own that phone, or can pay it off, you may still need to “unlock it” from your old carrier, so it will work on your new network.
Getting a phone unlocked is a lot easier than it used to be, especially now that it’s actually legal. But that doesn’t mean it’s simple. To do it you’ll need your phone’s IMEI number, your phone number, all the relevant account details, and the phone number of your current carrier. Call them up and they’ll walk you through the process. Some carriers even offer a way to do this online as well, so we recommend you check their website first.
