It's important to choose wisely when deciding on a mobile phone tariff. Take into consideration how you intend to use your mobile phone and research all the different tariff options available. Mobile phone providers offer a range of different services, so finding the right one for you can be time consuming. However, it's worth taking your time when choosing a tariff, because being on a tariff that doesn't suit your needs can lead to unnecessary expense.

The two most popular ways to pay for a mobile phone include:

Pay as you go

As the name suggests, pay as you go mobile phones allow you to pay for call and text credit in advance. The advantages and disadvantages of having a pay as you go mobile phone include:

• You are not tied to a monthly contract
• You are in control of how much you spend
• You are not subjected to a credit check in order to own one
• Call charges are generally higher than contract mobile phones
• The initial cost of the mobile phone is expensive

Monthly Contract

When you sign up for a monthly contract, your phone usage is recorded and billed at the end of the month. There is also a monthly service charge. The advantages and disadvantages include:

• There are wide choices of handsets to choose from. Many are free (although the phone costs are covered by your monthly subscription charge)
• Call charges are generally less than pay as you go
• You normally get a monthly allowance of free minutes and texts
• You must pass a credit check to qualify for a contract mobile phone
• Contracts are a minimum of 12 months
• It's easy to lose track of how much you are spending

It will probably be a straightforward decision when it comes to choosing between the above payment schemes. But, choosing which provider and tariff type can be a challenge. Make use of the vast amount of information available on the internet to help you make an informed decision.

Before you purchase a mobile phone it's important to consider how you plan on using it. Will you be using it simply for making calls and sending and receiving text messages? Or, do you plan on using your phone for business? If it's the latter, then your requirements will probably need to include the ability to access the internet and check emails etc.

Mobile phone technology is constantly improving and evolving, and you will find that many of today's mobile phones come equipped with a broad range of features as standard. Choosing a phone that caters perfectly for your needs can therefore sometimes be a challenge. So, before you take the plunge and sign up for a year's contract, here are a few things you might want to consider.

What type of user are you?

Basic - if you plan on using your phone for occasional calls and text messages, then a basic handset will be more than adequate. Extras such as cameras are now common place on even the most basic of handsets. So even if you consider yourself a relative 'technophobe', you could still find yourself with a handset that is capable of doing far more than you really need. Although, people often find mobile phones that are capable of taking photos to be extremely useful.

Office - mobile phones have advanced greatly over the years with facilities that are beginning to emulate that of personal computers. There are now mobile phones available that cater perfectly for the business user. This means that no matter where you happen to be, you can always keep up to date with all the latest business developments.