Price is usually uppermost in consumers' minds when choosing a home phone provider, but there are a number of other factors worth considering before signing the dotted line.

Contract period:When signing up to a home phone service, you may need to commit to that operator for a minimum period. It is important to check what the contractual commitment is before signing up to any operator.

Always check your existing contractual obligation before switching tariff plans or switching operators as penalties may apply.

Customer service:Before connecting to an operator, ask them what their customer service commitments are. You may wish to ask to see their customer code of practice, and standard terms and conditions of contract.

Switching time:Whether you are switching operator or switching tariff plans with the same operator, confirm how long it takes to switch, whether any credits are due from your old plan (which you may need to check with the old operator) and when billing will start.

Billing and payment options:Check with the operator what payment options are offered and whether additional charges apply if, for example, you want to pay by cash or if there are any discounts for paying by direct debit. Is the bill issued monthly or bimonthly? Is online billing available? Do you have to pay extra to get an itemised bill?

Additional services:You may be interested in additional services such as broadband. You should ask if these services are provided, what they cost and whether there are any discounts if you take out multiple services with the same operator.

Inclusive minutes:Most home phone operators offer tariff plans with minutes included and it is important to understand the usage conditions that apply to inclusive minutes. For example a number of operators may offer unlimited minutes in the month provided all your calls last less than 60 minutes.

Ask the operator to outline the conditions of use on included minutes.

Additional charges:Check if there are any additional charges such as a connection fee.

(Information provided by askcomreg.ie - the consumer website of the Commission for Communications Regulation)