The Anatomy of a Great Wireless Contract

If your idea of a great wireless contract is just “cheap with lots of data”, you might be missing out on a lot of features that can help you get more benefits and reduce costs for your business. You see, there are many details that can make or break a contract, but in order to know which is which, there’s a couple of things you need to know before you sign it. In our previous entry, we talked about some common mistakes people make during carrier contract negotiations, so today we will be focusing on the contracts themselves. These are the main items you need to focus on when negotiating a corporate contract with a carrier.

• Low monthly rates

  This is usually what most people focus on when deciding whether or not to sign a contract, however, don’t be fooled by a low price because most times, it means you get what you pay for. Of course, you should always take into account wireless expense management to help you with cost reductions, but a low price doesn’t necessarily mean a great deal. Whenever you find a contract with a low monthly rate, pay attention to what it includes and specially, to what it doesn’t. Those contracts are usually cheap for a reason.

• Plan variety

  Some wireless carriers offer “pre-made” contracts that have a fixed amount of data for every plan it includes. This usually leads to overspending due to the amount of data not being enough, or simply too much. A great wireless contract should always provide a variety of plans that allow you to select between small or large amounts of data. This feature allows your business to cover all of its needs and reduce wasteful expenses while providing the flexibility you need to make seamless changes without the constant need for data adjustments.

• 30 months or less upgrade policy

  Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t love getting a brand-new phone? Or even better, getting a brand-new phone for free! During your next carrier contract negotiation, make sure to find out if it includes an upgrade policy. An upgrade policy means that by signing up for a, let’s say, 36-month contract, you get a new phone every time a certain period of time passes (usually 30 months in a great contract). That means you don’t even have to wait for your contract to be over before getting an upgrade. Over time, these free phones can save you a lot of money on hardware as well.

• Churn allowance

  You might not be familiar with the term “churn allowance”, but knowing about this feature can save your business A TON of money on mobile expenses. Basically, churn allowance means you can cancel a line that is under contract without paying any penalty fees due to early cancellation. These cancellation fees are expensive enough as they are, but the more lines you have to cancel, the more you realize what a huge toll they can have on your bottom line. That’s why, during your wireless contract negotiation, you need to make sure that it includes churn allowance for unused lines.

• Good roaming rates

  Although often overlooked, roaming costs can make a serious dent in your bottom line if left unchecked. If your company requires you or your employees to travel frequently, low roaming rates can mean big mobile expense savings. That’s why, on your next carrier contract negotiation, ask if they offer plans with daily roaming rates, or monthly plans that have free roaming included. A great contract will always have room for good roaming rates.

• Signing bonuses

  Signing bonuses are the very least you can expect when renewing or negotiating a great wireless or mobile contract. They can come in many shapes and forms, but generally speaking, it means free credit or larger amounts of data just by signing up with a carrier. A truly great contract will usually include a one-time lump sum of credit. The bigger the number, the greater the contract. Depending on the amount you get, you can even go for months without paying your bill! So, remember: you’re the customer and they should want you to be happy, so don’t be scared to ask about their signing bonuses before putting your signature on the dotted line!

• Hardware discounts

  New phones often come with a big price tag, so if you’ve been looking to upgrade your company’s hardware, you probably already know how costly it can be. You can try to sell your used phones to recoup some of the cost and manage mobile expenses that way, but you can avoid that process altogether by negotiating a mobile contract that offers discounts for new devices. This way you’re getting the most out of your contract from the very start without the hassle of selling your old devices.

• Discounted suspension or vacation plans

  Did you know that you can reduce cellphone expenses by temporarily suspending an active line, without cancelling the contract? They’re called discounted suspension or vacation plans, and they should be included in any great wireless contract. Discount suspension plans allow you to temporarily suspend a line and reduce the costs that come with it, while it’s not being used. These plans are great for situations where you’re expecting to take a couple months to find a replacement worker or another way to repurpose the line. This is big for mobile expense savings, since you’re only paying for what’s being used, so make sure to add them at your next carrier negotiation!

• Discounted data pool addons

  There’s nothing more frustrating than having to stop your workflow due to insufficient data. That’s why flexibility is a hallmark of any great wireless or mobile contract, especially when it comes to data. If your company depends on data pools, you should focus on negotiating your contract to have cheap or discounted data addons in case you run out and need more. This allows for a quick and easy solution without the stress of on-the-go decisions.

Contract negotiation can feel a little bit like a poker game sometimes, but what if you knew what cards the other player is holding? That’s us at Expertel. We’ve worked in the Telecom industry for years, so we know exactly how big carriers operate. That’s how we’re able to negotiate hundreds of great contracts every year, and can help you maximize the most discounts and savings. So, if you’re looking for that great wireless contract, get in touch with us at Expertel.