Smartphone users spend £800million on mobile data they never use
Smartphone users spend £800million on mobile data they never use as the majority of SIM-only customers fork out for allowances they don’t need
- Researchers found majority of SIM-only holders pay for data they do not use
- Citizens Advice found 12 million people pay out for unused access to the internet
- Consumers are being repeatedly ripped off by phone companies, it is found
The majority of smartphone users who have a SIM-only plan are paying for data they never use, warn researchers.
The data allows them to access websites, emails and to stream music, film and TV.
But research from Citizens Advice suggests some 12million are paying a total of £800million a year for allowances that they do not need.
The charity suggests these phone users could save approximately £63 a year each if they switched to a cheaper deal that matched their data allowance to their actual consumption.
It found that 71 per cent of mobile customers with a SIM-only plan are overpaying. It is urging more mobile networks to refund unused data or make it easier for customers to cut monthly allowance.
Phone companies are charging millions of customers for data they do not use and making big profits
Its research suggests that the average amount of data wasted each month was 2GB, the equivalent to streaming three hours of video or 28 hours of music.
Citizens Advice said these high charges are part of a wider problem of consumers being ripped off, often by businesses to whom they have been loyal, including broadband, energy and insurance firms. Chief executive, Gillian Guy, said: ‘Mobile companies should be doing more to help customers save on data they don’t use, especially when it’s clear people are consistently underusing their allowance.
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‘This is another example of mobile companies overcharging their customers. It’s time for a consumer champion to stand up for people and push for change on issues like this.
‘While we wait for industry to improve support for customers, individuals can take action too. Anyone looking to save money should check their data usage and see if they can switch to a cheaper deal that matches what they use.’
Consumers in Britain are paying for internet usage they are not using and Citizens Advice has called for major change as the bill totals up to £800m
Digital Minister Margot James said: ‘People’s use of mobile data is growing steadily, but many are still paying for data they’re not using.
‘We’ve made it easier for people to switch to better plans, including ones that allows you to gift unused data to family members or charities, and I’d urge people to shop around for a deal that works best for them.’
YouGov surveyed 4,070 adults online, 1,425 of them on a SIM-only plan, between November 29 and December 3.
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