Black Friday mobile deals: over 10 million Brits plan to switch and cut their bills

Black Friday could be your chance to cut your mobile bill

New research shows that millions of people are planning to use Black Friday to switch their phone contracts and bring their monthly bills down.

If you have been putting off checking your contract, this might be the best week of the year to sort it.

The study from Go.Compare Mobile found that one in five adults in the UK plan to use Black Friday to change their mobile deal.

That works out to more than 10 million people, which shows just how squeezed budgets have become for many households.

Younger shoppers are leading the charge, with most 18 to 34 year olds saying they will look for tech deals, including phones, broadband plans and SIM-only tariffs.

Men were also more likely to hunt for tech bargains than women.

Why so many people are switching

A lot of phone and broadband contracts quietly roll on long after they should.

Once you are out of contract, the price can stay the same even though the handset is paid off. That means many people are still paying far more than they need to.

Black Friday is one of the rare times where lots of networks cut prices at once.

You can get cheaper tariffs, bigger data allowances or faster broadband, without having to wait for a new deal to pop up later.

Where the biggest savings are hiding

You do not need a brand new phone to save money. Many households can cut their monthly costs simply by switching to a better value SIM-only plan.

These deals are usually cheaper because you are not paying for a handset you already own.

Broadband is another area where prices can drift up without warning. If your contract has ended, there is a good chance you can get a cheaper or faster deal somewhere else.

A quick comparison can show you if your current network is costing you more than it should.

Simple checks to make before switching

These steps help you avoid wasted money and make sure the deal you pick is actually a saving.

Check if your contract has ended

If it has, you can usually move without fees. Many people stay with the same provider for years without realising their bill could be much smaller.

Look at your data usage

If you only use 4 to 6GB a month, there is no point paying extra for unlimited data. Choosing the right amount of data can save you a fair bit each month.

Think about SIM-only

If your phone still works, switching to a SIM-only deal is one of the fastest ways to cut your bills.

Compare everything

Do not rush because a banner says the offer is “today only”. Many of these deals run for weeks. Make sure you are getting the cheapest price for what you need.

How to switch networks without losing your number

Switching networks is much easier than it used to be. You don’t need to phone your old provider or battle through a long cancellation call. Everything can be sorted with a quick text.

If you want to keep your number, text PAC to 65075. Your network will send you a code and a breakdown of any final charges. Give that PAC code to your new provider and your number will move across, usually within one working day.

If you don’t want to keep your number, text STAC to 75075. Your network will send you a STAC code. When you give that code to your new provider, they will close your old account and set you up with a brand new number.

For a step-by-step walk-through, take a look at our full guide on how to switch mobile networks.

Final thoughts

Black Friday is usually sold as a week of gadgets and big screens, but for many families it is becoming a chance to sort everyday bills.

If your mobile costs have crept up, now is a good moment to run a quick check, make a switch and keep more money in your pocket.