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Although if "cost of living" continues to rise, cancelling mobile contracts may be next. Many less well off folk have annual or multiyear deals (which include

Although if "cost of living" continues to rise, cancelling mobile contracts may be next. Many less well off folk have annual or multiyear deals (which include handsets) so the cancellations would come at end of term for most. I suspect the issue at hand is that a fast growing number of people simply can't afford non-essentials, and in the process of deciding what's absolutely necessary and optional, access to the Internet may not be a necessity when rent, food and energy (including fuel) consume every penny you earn (or, more than you earn, there's a increasing trend of short term loans being taken out to pay bills, which will come home to roost).

makeitdouble 3y ago
As counterintuitive as it might be, I think the cellphone and mobile contract come last (thought switching to a lower plan or a MVNO is an option). There is a saying that if you don't have money you need connections, so as it gets tougher, communication becomes critical. In particular missing a message from your bank alerting you of a operation that could get rejected, getting mail from social service of paperwork you need to get in order, alerts for tax deadlines etc. are essential. On the other end of the spectrum, keeping in touch with your buddy's friend who's a garagist and can fix you in a pinch, keeping an eye on your elderly in case they fall short of something, answering the call when your neighbour needs you to see their kids for an hour or two as they have an emergency is also critical.
- gpderetta 3y ago
  Another way to say that is that a minium amount of connection is essential these days.
- Symbiote 3y ago
  Those things don't need contracts, just a phone with prepaid service. Top up £5 and be careful to make it last a couple of months, or potentially a lot longer (6+ months) if you can use WiFi and mostly receive calls and texts.
  - makeitdouble 3y ago
    I don't know for the UK, I was expecting contracts to be better value and cheaper than prepaid. Let's say you're phoning 20 min every month and burning through 3G or data, having even a minimal contract is probably worth it.
    - Symbiote 3y ago
      There are several providers offering something in-between, like spending £5 of pre-pay credit for some data and minutes that lasts 30 days. I use one when I'm working in/visiting England, as it's usually just a month at a time. Example: https://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/sim-only-deals/ https://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/sim-only-deals/

makeitdouble 3y ago

As counterintuitive as it might be, I think the cellphone and mobile contract come last (thought switching to a lower plan or a MVNO is an option). There is a saying that if you don't have money you need connections, so as it gets tougher, communication becomes critical. In particular missing a message from your bank alerting you of a operation that could get rejected, getting mail from social service of paperwork you need to get in order, alerts for tax deadlines etc. are essential. On the other end of the spectrum, keeping in touch with your buddy's friend who's a garagist and can fix you in a pinch, keeping an eye on your elderly in case they fall short of something, answering the call when your neighbour needs you to see their kids for an hour or two as they have an emergency is also critical.

gpderetta 3y ago
Another way to say that is that a minium amount of connection is essential these days.
Symbiote 3y ago
Those things don't need contracts, just a phone with prepaid service. Top up £5 and be careful to make it last a couple of months, or potentially a lot longer (6+ months) if you can use WiFi and mostly receive calls and texts.
- makeitdouble 3y ago
  I don't know for the UK, I was expecting contracts to be better value and cheaper than prepaid. Let's say you're phoning 20 min every month and burning through 3G or data, having even a minimal contract is probably worth it.
  - Symbiote 3y ago
    There are several providers offering something in-between, like spending £5 of pre-pay credit for some data and minutes that lasts 30 days. I use one when I'm working in/visiting England, as it's usually just a month at a time. Example: https://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/sim-only-deals/ https://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/sim-only-deals/