How to choose a phone package when you only pay for what you use

Choosing a phone package usually means guessing how many minutes and gigabytes you will need, then paying for the guess. With pay-as-you-go calling the question is simpler: what do you need the line itself to do?

Ukutel has three packages. The calling rates are the same on all three. Here is what actually changes.

Line — R80 (about $4.86) a month

• R50 (about $3.04) of airtime included each month
• One number on 2 devices
• Earn on 3 levels of your team

Line+ — R160 (about $9.72) a month

• R100 (about $6.07) of airtime included
• One number on 4 devices
• Earn on 6 levels

Line Max — R360 (about $21.87) a month

• R150 (about $9.11) of airtime included
• One number on 6 devices
• Earn on 10 levels

Unused package airtime rolls over for three months. Extra airtime you top up does not expire. Paying for a year in advance costs less than twelve monthly payments.

How to choose

• You mainly want cheaper calls. Start with Line. If R50 of airtime is not enough, top up. You are not penalised for choosing small.
• Several people or devices need the number. A family or a small business will want Line+ for four devices, or Line Max for six.
• You intend to build a team. The package decides how many levels deep you earn, not how much each person earns you. Three levels is enough to begin. People who are serious about the referral side tend to choose Line+ or Line Max.

Our honest advice: do not buy a bigger package for the earning levels until you have people in your team. You can move up later.

If you are not ready to choose at all, do not. The trial is R25 (about $1.52) for five days with a number and airtime, and you pick a package only if you want to stay.