On the road tips to save your phone battery.

We all know how frustrating it can be when you are out and about and your phone battery is heading towards 0%. We have the best tips to keep your phone battery up and running! 

1. Get your portable charger from Fivebars Mobile: 
A portable charger is self explanatory; a charger with no power leads and allows you to inject your phone with life. These vary in size, weight and capacity depending on the make and model of your handset. 

2. Think logically about using data: 
Do you run a lot of apps on your phone? Keep your apps open? Remember, you can simply close all running apps on your phone (this can be done by, for example, double clicking and swiping the windows up on an iPhone). Ensure that you are connected to a Wi-Fi whenever possible and turn off mobile data when it is not needed. 

3. Preserve energy: 
Keep your phone screen settings on low, turn off Wi-Fi and data wherever possible, reduce time-out sessions on your phone and un-install non-essential applications. 

4. Get the App: 
There are a variety of applications available to keep an eye on what applications are using the most battery and data- this way you can close these applications and preserve your battery. 

Sources: 
http://futurethinking.ee.co.uk/5-on-the-road-power-tips-for-keeping-your-mobile-device-battery-charged-up/

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=battery+life&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UE_8U4v7Gc6L4gTy5ID4Cw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=2fb3dEA8PaFSHM%253A%3BJpeXI3vGHRLWYM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftbreak.ae%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F05%252Ffeathrure.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.lifehack.org%252Farticles%252Ftechnology%252F14-reasons-why-your-iphone-goes-out-battery-quickly.html%3B960%3B540

Is your mobile suddenly using more data than usual?

Is your phone suddenly using a lot more data lately?

The reason could be that your friends at Facebook have changed your streaming settings without asking you and started streaming video content automatically while you scroll!

The result is up to 5 times more data is used than normal. We've already seen some nasty bills come in for some companies especially while on holiday!

So our advice?

We are advising customers to switch it off so it only auto starts if you are connected to wifi.
You can do this in your Facebook settings.

Best regards

Martin Murphy

Fivebars Mobile
For companies with more sense than money! 

Sources: 
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=facebook&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Klb0U_ScOYjT0QWj5oCYBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=w0VV92Hv1EYiGM%253A%3BGNB6RUWYHrc4uM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Ffbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net%252Fhphotos-ak-xfp1%252Ft31.0-8%252F1271084_10152203108461729_809245696_o.png%253Fdl%253D1%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Ffacebook%3B1024%3B1024

How to protect your mobile phone from theft

If you are one of the thousands people who rely on their mobile phones, then you will know how crucial it can be if you realise your phone has been stolen. Many people use their mobiles for business, to keep in contact with friends/family, to store precious memories and to keep a calender. We have the official list of top tips on how to protect your phone from theft!

1. Keep an eye on your phone- especially on a night out!
We all know how hectic a night out can be, therefore, remember to not leave your phone unattended, or keep your phone in an insecure bag (Such as a bag with no zip or easily accessible). At all times, make sure your phone is in a secure place.

2. Keep an eye on your surroundings.
If you are in a busy place, make sure that your phone is not hanging out of your pocket, or perhaps in your hand. It can be misconceiving how easily your phone can be taken. Ensure that your phone is in a secure place, especially when in over crowded places such as shopping centres.

3. Find out your IMEI number and keep it safe.
Each phone number will have an individual number which can be found on the inside of the handset or on the phone box. Ensure that you keep this number safe, therefore, in the case of your phone being stolen you will be able to report the individual number. No two IMEI numbers are the same.

4. Always have a pass lock on your phone and make sure that you select 'erase data' after a certain amount of attempts.
Pass locks are a very good idea on how to keep the contents of your phone safe and secure. While the reliability of the 'face unlock' has been scrutinised, we strongly believe the most secure pass lock is an alphanumeric number. This will consist of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers. Make sure that your pass lock number is something not too obvious, therefore, in the case that your phone is stolen then it is very unlikely the recipient will be able to unlock your phone.

5. Never leave your phone in your car unattended.
We have all been in the situation when we are popping out of the car for a very short space of time. However, it is also very quick for someone to take your phone from your car when you are not there. Please ensure that your phone is kept out of sight and never keep it in plane sight if you are not in the vehicle.

6. Make sure that you spread your valuables around your person.
Ensure that your valuables are not all kept in the same place. For example, keep your keys in one pocket, your phone in your bag and your keys in another pocket. This will mean that if someone takes your possessions you will not loose all of your valuables.

7. Ensure you property mark your phone with your house number and postcode.
In the event of your phone being stolen, and someone is kind enough to wish to return it to you, they will be able to at least track you down to be able to return it to you. We recommend you write it on a piece of paper and perhaps keep it under your phone case.

8. Lastly, if your phone has been stolen, ensure you report it to your network and the police as soon as possible. The network will be able to cut off the phone so that it will be no use to the person who took your phone.

Following the above tips you should manage to keep your phone secure.

Regards

Millie Hebbard
Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile


Sources:
http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/tips-protect-mobile-phone-theft/story-22732884-detail/story.html

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phone+theft&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aPrtU7bUEcyh7Aaqx4CQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=624#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=MnpIoKQ_XCqDzM%253A%3B1UF0v-6ZIzZtUM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.leavedebtbehind.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2011%252F02%252Fidentity-theft.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.leavedebtbehind.com%252Ffrugal-living%252Ftech%252Fidentity-theft-is-your-cell-phone-an-easy-target%252F%3B355%3B382


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phone+theft&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aPrtU7bUEcyh7Aaqx4CQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=624#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=5Y9n8E4KTtqDrM%253A%3BUonB5q3PIq4dDM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.phoneslimited.co.uk%252Ffiles%252F2013%252F04%252F119281489_smart_pho_371268c-300x199.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.phoneslimited.co.uk%252Fuk-crime-rate-down-but-mobile-phone-theft-up-according-to-police%252F%3B300%3B199

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phone+theft&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aPrtU7bUEcyh7Aaqx4CQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=624#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=b6wVprbvwgUP4M%253A%3Bd7h4x_5Sec6J4M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.inthebag.org.uk%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2009%252F01%252Fchart4.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.inthebag.org.uk%252Fabout-bag-theft%252Fwhat-are-hot-products%252F%3B400%3B228

5G coming to London by 2020?

A recent article in the 'Mobile News' by James Pearce really has got us thinking. Boris Johnson last week announced the plans to introduce the "super fast 5G to London by 2020". Johnson is wanting to bring London up to the highest possible connection speed around; faster than the already supersonic 4G!! 

Will this bring Londoners to be able to access information immediately? Of course. Why? Because Boris Johnson wants to introduce this as a key part of the infrastructure plan for London. The UK Government will be giving £5 million in funding over the next 5 years to research this technology, working alongside companies such as Samsung, Huawei and Fujitsu. 

How do we reckon 5G will go down? Well, if all goes to plan, then 5G will most definitely excel London up there with some of the best! 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=5g&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Q_ztU9eNHsap0AWCrYG4BA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=624#q=5g+coming%3F&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vqZI4yGGIar3aM%253A%3BqiYCFLWF5W752M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.laptopmag.com%252Fwpress%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F05%252FSamsung5G.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.laptopmag.com%252F5g-coming-2020%3B631%3B298

Vodafone voted worst for rural calls.

Have you ever been in the middle of nowhere and attempted to make a phone call and realised you have no signal? Ofcom have reported Vodafone are the worst network for connecting rural calls. Networks such as EE, O2, Three and Vodafone were all compared on their performance. The research was measuring the quality of calls with coverage and the number of calls that failed to connect and unexpectedly cut off. Is it not apparent that one should be able to pick up their mobile phone and make a call regardless of whether they are in the heart of the city or if they are in the middle of nowhere; logic would dictate this would be the case. 

In the case of working in the city, 78% of people stated they were satisfied with their mobile network, while 33% of rural customers stated that they were unsatisfied with their service. Looking at these figures as a whole, these are quite worrying figures. In 2013, a study confirmed that 97% of EE phone calls were successfully connected in urban areas, along side a 93.7% successful connection rate in rural areas. On the other hand, 92.6% of Vodafone calls were successfully connected in urban areas, while they only had a 79.9% successful connection rate in rural areas. EE have stated that their successful connection rate is due to "investing hundreds of millions each year in expanding the reach of our network so that more people can make calls in more places". 

O2 were also successful in the report, with 95.3% successful connection rate in urban areas and 87.4% in rural areas. O2 released the statement of "we are pleased that we are the best network in urban areas across England and the UK, where the majority of our customers are." The report went on to say that "a fifth of people said they were experiencing blocked and dropped calls at least once a week, and this increased in rural areas". Should it not be apparant that the signal strength of the phone should remain, within reason, the same no matter where you are? EE's results are supporting this. 

To conclude, we really can see that EE's connection rate is soaring with success with their incredible results regarding the Ofcom report. Will we see a change in the way Vodafone are operating in order to boost signal strength and successful connection rate? We shall have to wait and see.... 

Regards

Millie Hebbard

Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile

Sources: 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vodafone+vs+ee&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=KcPtU-faH-id0AXOu4DABQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg#q=ee+vs+vodafone&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=dfNwaOoOOMrWXM%253A%3BBnMrfylldAJxaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcblcdn.co.uk%252Fimages%252Fguides%252Fee-vs-vodafone-mobile--l-289.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cable.co.uk%252Fguides%252Fee-vs-vodafone-mobile%252F%3B300%3B300

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28758595

Can Samsung really keep the pressure on Apple?

After reading an article in this weeks 'Mobile News' an article published in there really got us thinking here at Fivebars. With the release of the Apple iPhone 6 just around the corner, what will Samsung be able to pull out of their pocket? With Samsung releasing their Samsung Galaxy S5 in early April, will more people be swayed to purchase the iPhone 6? 

Apple have only released 2 phones in the past year, the iPhone 5S and introduced the iPhone 5C in a variety of colours which caused of lot of interest due to the vast change in the phone with the option to truly customise it to your own liking by picking the colour. "Apple have seen a 13% increase on sales while profit increased by 12%" according to the Mobile News. Apple have also gone on to achieve an all-time quarterly record with 51 million iPhones being sold in three months in 2013.  

Samsung have managed to also keep up with the pressure though, with the manufacturer stating there will be an invite to the "Unpacked" event at the IFA in Berlin on September 3rd; thus suggesting a new release perhaps? How will Apple cope with the Samsung release being so close to the release of the Apple iPhone 6? Samsung further went on to comment that "There will be the release of 2 high-end smartphones during the remainder of the year". 

In conclusion, we are sure that Apple will excel in the release of the iPhone 6, therefore, leaving its rivals under pressure to restrict Apple's acceleration releasing their own products to top this! We look forward to the battle of the smartphones!! 

Regards

Millie Hebbard

Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile

Sources: 

Mobile News, August 11 2014, "Can Samsung keep pressure on Apple?" by Paul Withers. 

Photo courtesy of: 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=samsung+vs+apple&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7L7tU7qaOaKh0QXupYCYBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=fcGybp2WKO971M%253A%3BDbK6EZo-EL88IM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fphandroid.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F10%252FSamsung-vs-Apple.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fphandroid.com%252F2014%252F03%252F31%252Fapple-vs-samsung-2014%252F%3B600%3B400

Social Media

With over 70% of marketeers using social media to find new customers, Fivebars believe that using social media will allow for a healthy flow of relevant information to keep companies up to date with the latest news, deals and updates on business and the mobile phone industry. 

You can find us on Facebook!

With over 1.5 billion Facebook users, we found that with Facebook, we can connect with business on a completely new level. We now use our Facebook page to update our followers with news, updates and tips on topics such as how to avoid large phone bills, advising them on the latest deals available and also showcasing brand new mobile phones on the market live as it happens. With 23% of Facebook users logging on up to 5 times a day, we ensure our page is regularly updated

. 

You can also find us on Twitter!

With over 550 million registered users on Twitter, we made the wise decision to also get our business out there by creating an account. With the updates of Twitter being used to generate 34% of leads, we found that this is a great way to get to the customers who may not have otherwise known who we were. With Twitter having a 44% growth from 2012-2013, we anticipate that it is going to explode with success and interest in the coming years!

So, in essence, to keep up to date with all that is going on at Fivebars mobile, simply follow us on Twitter & like us on Facebook. We are always giving you the greatest news and updates, as well as rewarding our followers by running free give a ways. 

Regards

Millie Hebbard
Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile

Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome to our Blog!

Fivebars Mobile are a company based in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, specialising in business mobile phones and unified communication. Fivebars have years of experience with UK networks and and are experts dealing with keeping costs down for companies that travel.

Fivebars recognised that a large majority of companies were not being looked after properly by their networks or their dealers or being guided properly to select the correct tariff and rail roading customers into networks that weren't right for them.

We wanted to change that.

We wanted to be different.

At Fivebars, we have 5 key values that all of our staff adhere to:

1. Honesty: At all times, we are completely truthful with you, offering you independent and comprehensive advice, with your best interest in mind at all times.

2. Independence: We are on your side! We focus on what is best for you, offering you the best advice around.

3. Value: We get you the best deals around, with our joint experience in the field, we know you and we know the market. You can be promised a good deal when signing up with Fivebars Mobile.

4. Partnership: We are here for you the whole way; call us any time! Our friendly staff will make you feel at ease straight away, giving you honest, up to date, advice as it happens. Any problem you have, just send us an email or pick up the phone, we are always more than happy to help.

5. Range: For all business needs, we can give you advice on not just your mobile phones, but also on your landlines, car kits and homeworker set ups.

Our main aim is to take the hassle away from you dealing with your mobiles making it a stress free experience enabling you to run your business uninterrupted.

We look forward to keeping you up to date with all our latest deals, news, facts and reviews.

Regards

Millie Hebbard
Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile