1.Objective of the module for mobile services

2.Step 1 : Entering your query. 2

3.National calls. 5

4.International calls. 6

5.Mail and data services

6.Step 2 : Detailed information. 10

7.Step 3 : Display of the results. 13

8.Detail of the tariff plans in the results. 14

1       Objective of the module for mobile services

This module allows you to compare the average monthly cost of tariff plans available on the Belgian residential market for the use of mobile services

-         via either a “quick search” using the default values of the tool;

-         or via a “personalised search” taking into account the information you enter for your monthly usage profile.

This indicative tool can help you to choose a specific tariff plan from the different offers currently available for sale on the market and present in the tariff simulator

This module focuses on the products including the different types of mobile communications services: phone calls (to fixed or mobile numbers), SMS messages and data services to access the Internet. Therefore these products are intended for mobile devices such as GSM phones and smartphones. The products exclusively intended for mobile access to the Internet, for mobile computers (“laptops”) and tablets as iPad for example, are handled in the Internet module of the tariff simulator.

2       Step 1 : Entering your query

The first step of the “personalised search” consists in defining which plan type you prefer: a prepaid solution, a solution with a subscription or you don't mind. By default, the simulator will display both types of tariff plans in the results.

Figure 1 - Selection of the plan type

You also have to specify whether or not you want the effect of the currently valid special offers to appear in the results. We draw your attention to the fact that, by default, the plans presented by the tariff simulator are those which correspond to the consumption profile that you have entered without taking into account the existing special offers. This approach results from the will of BIPT not to mislead the consumers by showing special offers which are not necessarily accessible to all of them.

Yet, you are free to modify this aspect by modifying the answer to the question about the taking into account of the special offers. In its results, the simulator will then take account of all the special offers currently available on the Belgian residential market.

However, we draw your attention to the fact that some of them are only accessible if certain conditions are met. If this is the case, the operator will already have filled in a text field specifying the eligibility conditions for the special offers that are subject to conditions. You will find them in the pink field under the plan's name.

The average monthly cost displayed takes account of all the special offers encoded in the simulator. Please check that you do meet the eligibility conditions for the special offers subject to conditions in order to get this service at the advertised price.

Figure 2 - Input screen for mobile telephony data

In the following steps, you will detail your usage profile for the 5 following elements:

§  Calls from a mobile phone to a mobile number in Belgium (M2M calls);

§  Calls from a mobile phone to a fixed number in Belgium (M2F calls);

§  International calls;

§  Required amount of SMS messages;

§  Data volume ("data") to access the Internet

Premium rate calls for "Premium" services are excluded from the tariff simulator.

Depending on the slider's position, the tool will display a window with default hypotheses on the monthly usage durations and the required message and data volumes.   A link to the information website Surfmobile is available in order to allow you to better evaluate your usage profile through a series of concrete examples of mobile services usage (e-mails, social media, app download, streaming...).

You can change these parameters:

§  either directly by entering your own usage details (for example, from information provided by your current provider on your invoice or in your personal account);

§  or by using the slider at the top of the page.

These sliders allow you indeed to choose between three predefined usage profiles: low/medium/high. These profiles are linked to:

§ a total duration of the calls made monthly from a mobile phone;

§  a percentage of the calls made to other mobile numbers ( ó distribution of the mobile calls made to other mobile numbers (M2M) and/or to fixed numbers (M2F) and,

§ a percentage of the calls made to the most often called mobile operator. 

These default values are based on data collected from operators active on the Belgian residential market and are displayed directly in the “Call usage” section. 

3       National calls

Figure 3 – Usage details for calls, mobile telephony, national part

• In the “personalised search”, you can specify when you mostly use your fixed phone to make national calls if the default answer (“Anytime”) does not suit you. By clicking on the right arrow, you will have the choice between the following seven options:

  • Anytime;
  • Weekend;
  • Monday to Friday on daytime;
  • Monday to Friday in the evening;
  • Monday to Friday on daytime and in the evening;
  • Monday to Friday in the evening and at weekends;
  • Monday to Friday on daytime and at weekends.

  By default, the number corresponding to the medium usage profile linked to the slider is displayed as the medium monthly call usage from your mobile phone. You can change this value to enter your real usage.

  After evaluating the number of minutes used monthly from your mobile device to fixed and mobile numbers, you can specify which percentage of these minutes is used to call other mobile devices. It allows to define the distribution of your calls between mobile (M2M) and fixed numbers (M2F).

  If you know it, you can specify which is the main mobile operator you call. You are then invited to specify the percentage of the calls you make to the customers of this operator. 

4       International calls

If you make international calls you must once again specify when you mostly use your mobile phone for your international calls.

Figure 4 – Selection of international time slots

You select, among a list of countries in alphabetical order, the most frequently called countries (maximum three countries) with the estimated number of call minutes. For each proposed country, you can select international calls to a fixed or a mobile number in the country of destination, because the prices of international calls to the same country generally vary when you call a fixed or a mobile number.

Figure 5 – List of countries for international calls

5       Mail and data services

Figure 6– Selection of data services and volumes

If you are interested in the other mobile service components, you can specify the monthly quantities of SMS messages and/or the volume of data ("mobile data") exchanged with the Internet. By default, the fields relating to these services are filled in with the values associated with the position of the slider. A link to the information website Surfmobile is available in order to allow you to better evaluate your usage profile through a series of concrete examples of mobile services usage (e-mails, social media, app download, streaming...).

6       Step 2 : Detailed information

This optional step allows you to define even more precisely your consumption profile. It can be activated by clicking on the button to enter more detailed information on your usage profile.

 Figure 7 – Detailed information, input data table

Now you can see the working assumptions selected by the tariff comparison tool for the distribution of the call minutes you entered at step 1. The tool spreads these minutes over the different time periods.

For example, if you entered an estimated number of call minutes at step 1 and specified when you mostly use your mobile telephone to make calls, you will be able to see the distribution of minutes according to days (week and weekend) and hours, as well as between fixed and mobile operators. This last distribution estimation between mobile operators is set by default according to their market shares.

Therefore, you can refine the usage estimations of your phone according to hours, days and operators.

You have the possibility to detail your consumer profile for calls to fixed and mobile numbers situated in Belgium and for international calls.

You can also determine the required monthly volume of SMS and MMS messages as well the volume of mobile data.

After entering these optional usage details you can click on the button “Search” to immediately have access to the results proposed by the tool.

7       Step 3 : Display of the results

This step consists in obtaining and displaying the results. The plans suggested are those likely to be provided based on the consumption profile you have entered. By default, the list of proposed plans is limited to the 20 best offers, with a maximum of three offers per operator. However, users can change the number of tariff plans displayed by using the corresponding dropdown lists. 

Figure 8 – Display of the results

 By default, the tariff plans are sorted by the software in increasing order of monthly cost on the basis of the usage details you entered. You can also change the sorting order of this result list by clicking on the relevant column heading (operator, tariff plan, average monthly cost, type of tariff plan).

This list shows the following information:

• The name of the operator, possibly with his logo;
• The name of the tariff plan;
• The type of tariff plan (subscription or prepaid);
• The icons indicating any possible add-ons, special offers, discounts and advantages; 
• the estimated average monthly cost.  The calculation of this average monthly cost takes account of the tariff options, special offers and/or discounts possibly applied.

8      Detail of the tariff plans in the results

 

Figure 9– Display of a plan

Clicking on this icon displays additional information:

• The section on the left side shows, among others, information on the minimum contract period, the transfer or not of unused minutes, available billing type(s), payment options and customer service hours. 

• The section on the right side includes the information on the possible options/add-ons, special offers, discounts and extra features.

If you want to look at the specific details of one of the tariff plans shown in the results, click on the name of that specific plan (step 3).

You can also change your usage profile by clicking on “Change/Edit your usage details”.

You can print the list of results by clicking directly on “Print results”.

 

If you want to have more information on the given plan of an operator, you can do it by clicking on its name in the list of results:  

 

 

Figure 10 – Accessing detailed information on a plan

This page includes:

 

§ contact details for the operator (name, address, telephone number, e-mail and website);

 

§  detailed information and features of the tariff 

§  detailed information on tariffs.