Mobile phone companies make their tariffs as complex as they can in the hope that we’ll choose the wrong tariff and end up paying more than we need, there’s also plenty of web sites claiming to find us the best tariff, but they’re interested in commission – so what to do?

Ofcom today said BillMonitor was awarded its price accreditation scheme logo after meeting the terms of a rigorous independent audit, which checks whether information given to consumers is accessible, accurate, transparent, comprehensive and up to date. Miles Brignall, The Guardian.

Now we know where to go to find the best deal.

Motorola have often made good looking phones, the Razr being a prime example, the trouble however is Motorola phones are tricky to use and unreliable, I personally loved the look of the Razr but after a week a handed it on youngest son and stuck to a less sexy but more functional Sony Ericsson instead.

At this week’s Mobile World Congress there’s been a slew of new handsets from Nokia, Sony Ericsson and the like – what do we get from Motorola? A five grand Diamond Aura encrusted with 99 diamonds, fewer than 100 will be manufactured, which you’d hope is 100 more than people daft enough to buy – but then again…

The GSMA and 17 leading mobile operators and manufacturers today announced that they are committed to implementing a cross-industry standard for a universal charger for new mobile phones. The aim of the initiative, led by the GSMA, is to ensure that the mobile industry adopts a common format for mobile phone charger connections and energy-efficient chargers resulting in an estimated 50 per cent reduction in standby energy consumption, the potential elimination of up to 51,000 tonnes of duplicate chargers and the enhancement of the customer experience by simplifying the charging of mobile phones. Source: GSM World.

Well it’s about time, although you won’t see it anytime soon, maybe 2012 and as it’ll use micro-USB your current phone won’t be compatible.

Hat Tip: The Guardian.

BT has today cut the cost of calling 0845 and 0870 to zero for many of its customers, following a consumer campaign against companies profiting from premium rate lines.

Subscribers to BT’s Anytime package will get free 0845 and 0870 calls at all times, while Evening and Weekend customers’ calls will be free after 6pm Monday-Friday, and all weekend. Source: The Register.

What of Virgin? “No comment”.