Being able to communicate via mobile phone is essential but if you have had financial troubles, can you get a cell phone contract if you are blacklisted?
In today’s world, having a cell phone is essential. Communication via phone calls, sms, social media like Facebook and Twitter is a big part of our everyday lives. This however, is just one of the many things that we rely on our cell phones for. We also use them to browse the internet, reply to emails, view and share photographs and videos, play and download music, take and store photographs and contact information, play games on and keep up to date on the news.
We would be lost if we could not use our cell phones as alarms, diaries, birthday calendars, calculators and memo pads. Official documents, companies and doctors offices ask for cell phone numbers as contact references and for business, a cell phone is essential. Their uses are almost infinite and most people would admit that they could not live without their cell phone.
However, in order to get a cell phone and everything that comes with it there are several costs which can be quite steep. The costs include:
- The cell phone itself
Cell phones, depending on their make and what functions they have and whether they are first or second hand, can cost anything from a few hundred to a few thousand rand.
- The sim card
You will also have to buy a sim card, which does not cost very much. In fact, most stores charge less than a rand for their sim cards. Different networks offer different packages with different prices so be sure to do your research before buying your sim card. You will also need to RICA your sim card, but this is generally free. RICA stands for Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act and your sim card will not be activated until it has been RICA’d.
- Data costs
In order to browse the internet, use instant messaging services like WhatsApp or Mxit, or use social media sites you will have to load data onto your phone. Some networks or phone types like Blackberry will charge you a once off fee per month for unlimited browsing and internet usage. You will sometimes have to pay extra for downloading.
- Air time
Air time can also become costly as the fee per second or minute is higher for calls during peak hours, when most call are made, or from a cell phone to a land line, or from a cell phone to another cell phone on a different network. SMSs and MMSs can also become costly.
A cell phone contract
Taking out a phone contract could help to curtail many of the above costs. There are a myriad of different cell phone contracts available through every one of the cell phone networks. If you are blacklisted, you can still get a cell phone contract. Many network service providers do allow those who are blacklisted to take out a contract, but they might ask for a deposit or for someone with a good credit history to sign as surety alongside you.
The benefits of a cell phone contract
There are a myriad of benefits to having a cell phone contract instead of going pre-paid. They include the following:
- You will not have to pay for your phone. Generally the package will include a phone of your choice and a free upgrade every two or so years.
- Many phone contracts offer a certain amount of internet browsing which is included in the monthly fee.
- You will generally have some free minutes per month. You might only be able to use them at certain times of the day or week but they will help you save on the air time you actually pay for.
- Some contracts offer a top up option where you will receive a certain amount of air time per month and be able to add to it if you run out. Other contracts will tally up your calls and send you a bill at the end of the month.
Having a cell phone contract is definitely more convenient than the pre-paid option, and the answer to the question can you get a cell phone contract if you are blacklisted is yes. It might be more difficult than if you had a good credit history, but it is not impossible.