A prepaid mobile checklist: Things to look for

Prepaid mobile phones can give you complete control over phone costs, so needless to say they offer a lot of freedom. But what should you look for when choosing a prepaid option? Phone Buddy gives you ideas for finding prepaid mobile satisfaction.

Types of prepaid phone deals

Prepaid phone offers will vary from network to network so you should take the time to look them all over; some offers will definitely suit you more than others. Types of prepaid deals to look out for include:

Deals that give you bonus credit when you recharge
Credit rollovers
Bonus SMS and “free talk” deals
Deals offering more flexibility

Credit rollovers allow for any leftover phone credit from the previous month to carry across to the next month – provided you recharge by the due date. Some networks allow you to accumulate up to $500 credit with rollovers.

The prepaid checklist: What to look for

As with anything, you want the best deal for your money. For prepaid mobile you should look for:

cheap or free SMS offers
free talk time (if any)
specially low call rates for the area or network you most make calls to

In addition, you should pay close attention to the rates for accessing mobile internet and other multimedia services, if you use these – you could get a nasty surprise later otherwise. Some prepaid mobile providers don't offer Internet and multimedia options at all, so be sure to check this first.

Keep an eye out for credit bonuses, as this is where the extra value lies. It's worth noting too that some of these special offers can be long term (for even more value), so be sure to check how long each deal is active for.

Prepaid mobile is the most convenient option for many people and it's great for younger mobile users – there's no running up obscene phone bills with prepaid (which is sure to be a relief for mum and dad). Look out for the special offers “post-it note” on our Phone Buddy prepaid plan pages – this is where the key offers will be. You can browse plans from a range of providers and easily find the right prepaid deal for you.