Which smartphone plans are worthwhile for your business? (Photo: © bartusp/123RF.com)
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January 2018
Industry 4.0: Smartphones play a key role in the workplace for many companies. But how do you find the best plan for your needs? When do unlimited calls and data plans make sense?
Smartphones have made everyday work significantly easier for many companies: Those constantly traveling between headquarters, the workshop, and the construction site can always be reached – by phone, email, or chat. Mobile access to company data and the internet also offers clear advantages, as documents, operating instructions, photos, and contracts can be retrieved in seconds.
Anyone looking for a suitable smartphone plan today is faced with a multitude of confusing options: In addition to contract and prepaid plans, there are also offers with minute or data packages – and contracts with or without a new smartphone are available. Furthermore, some providers have taken the new EU roaming regulation as an opportunity to increase prices or make tariffs less transparent. Therefore, it's not easy to find recommendable offers with good value for money in this tariff jungle. An important first step: Analyzing each employee's smartphone needs, for example, based on mobile phone bills from the past few months. This way, companies avoid overly large tariffs and save costs.
Whether a fixed contract or a prepaid plan is the better choice depends on your own wishes and price expectations. One advantage of fixed-term contracts: If a new smartphone is on your wish list, many providers offer one as a discounted extra. In addition to a possible one-off price for the device, there are slightly higher monthly costs. The contracts usually run for two years. In return, smartphone prices are subsidized, so that despite the surcharge, you usually end up paying less than the manufacturer's recommended retail price. You also have the choice between various tariff options. Nevertheless, anyone who continues to use their old smartphone or acquires a device through other means can save at least 30 percent on monthly fees. Another disadvantage of fixed-term contracts: The basic fee always applies – even if you don't make any phone calls for several weeks, for example on vacation.
Prepaid cards are a much more flexible alternative: These only charge for actual usage. Some prepaid cards are also available with smartphones, but these are usually less sophisticated devices. Topping up your prepaid account is possible either by bank transfer or with prepaid cards, which are available at gas stations, supermarkets, or drugstores, for example. Furthermore, there are usually no cancellation periods: If you no longer want to use the plan, you simply don't top up your account.
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Operations management
Operations management
If you don't need a new smartphone and are primarily interested in affordable terms, it's worth taking a look at the offers from mobile discounters. The prices for smartphone plans here are usually significantly lower than those of the major network providers. When comparing plans, however, it's important to take a close look at the range of services offered – inexpensive service hotlines aren't always available, and data transfer speeds are significantly limited. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, always read the fine print carefully beforehand.
For frequent callers, plans with package prices or call flat rates are definitely recommended. The cost for minute packages is often between one and two cents per minute, while without a flat rate, the cost is often at least 9 cents per minute. For regular monthly data volumes of 100 MB or more, a data flat rate is recommended. The volume should not be too small, as data speeds are significantly reduced after the included volume has been used up. Some providers' so-called "automatic data" feature, which automatically adds a certain amount of data at comparatively high prices after the included volume has been used up, can be a cost trap. However, if the volume is not exceeded, these plans usually offer very favorable conditions. Anyone who uses their smartphone abroad should inquire about the specific roaming conditions beforehand.
Speed:
Current smartphones are perfectly equipped for internet access. However, fast data transfer requires technologies like UMTS or LTE.
Mobile phone tariff:
Data flat rates are available with various included volumes – from 10 MB to 75 GB per month. After that, data transfers are still possible, but the speed is significantly throttled. To ensure the plan fits your needs, you should realistically estimate the amount of data you need each month. Otherwise, you'll end up paying too much or surfing at a snail's pace by the end of the month.
Network availability:
Network availability plays a crucial role, especially for mobile data services. Rural areas are still significantly less developed than metropolitan areas, so high-speed surfing via UMTS or LTE isn't always possible. You can check the mobile providers' websites.
Selected contract plans with smartphones. As of January 3, 2018. All information is subject to change. Graphic: © DHB
Selected contract plans without a smartphone. As of January 3, 2018. All information is subject to change. Graphic: © DHB
Selected prepaid plans. As of January 3, 2018. All information is subject to change. Graphic: © DHB
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