Mobile phones are essential to most UK consumers these days, not only as a means of chatting and texting, but also as interactive hubs through which the internet and all that it offers can be accessed. Many people own two or three phones, which is proved by the fact that figures show the number of mobiles outweighs the number of people by about a sixth. The mobile market has experienced a bit of a slum due to the recent recession, but the easing of economic hardship has meant that experts predict significant growth for the mobile market this year and in particular the smartphone segment, which is set to expand as mainstream users become aware of the functions that the most powerful handsets offer.

Because the mobile market in the UK is so mature the prices for pay monthly and pay as you go mobile phones are lower than in most other places. This is because network providers compete with one another to bring out the latest phones for free in conjunction with lengthy contracts. It can be a bit of a mine field if you are looking into buying a new mobile phone, because there are so many providers, handsets and packages to consider. If you want to learn how to save money on mobile phones, then read on.

The best way to shop for mobile phones is online. If you head into the high street shops there is a high likelihood of being accosted and charmed into making an unsuitable purchase, although to get a hands-on feel of a phone before you buy it visiting a retail store may be your only option. Shopping online will allow you to compare the hundreds of different deals that are out there and will also let you view impartial advice from professionals and users who have experience with the products that are on offer.

The UK has five major mobile networks to choose from, although there are a number of smaller firms who piggyback on the largest networks` infrastructure to provide their services. O2 and Vodafone have the biggest subscriber base, although this will change once Orange and T-Mobile complete their merger. 3 is the largest independent network provider, although it is still smaller than the four rivals. Your choice of network will depend partly on which offers the best coverage in your area. If you want to access the internet on your mobile phone, then 3G coverage should be a priority fact to check up on before you commit. Most providers should have coverage maps available and price comparison sites will also offer you the ability to check.

You choice of provider will hinge on many other factors, including the phones that they offer, the kinds of tariffs they provide and the minimum contractual period over which you will be required to pay for your mobile phone service. If you are looking for cheap mobile phones for pay as you go use then this should be less important as pay as you go customers are not tied down by contracts and only pay for what they use.