Have you ever heard or read the term “CIS”? Ever wondered what it stands for? Or what it is?
This article will look at what a CIS is and why it can be helpful when looking at phone plans.
What does CIS stand for?
I’ve asked several people this question, many of whom have different answers. I concluded that what CIS stands for depends on which mobile phone carrier it’s from; however, here’s a quick list of some of the most common answers I got.
- Customer information sheet.
- Critical information summary.
- Critical information Sheet.
- Customer information summary.
No matter what each letter stands for, all CISes serve the same purpose. The C either stands for critical or customer. The S stands for sheet or summary. But always, in all circumstances, the I stands for information.
What is a CIS?
When you start a new phone contract or payment, you will get a CIS. A CIS is a sheet telling you what your carrier will give you and what you need to give them in return. Usually, they tell you how many calls and texts you will receive each payment period (usually a month), how many GB of data you will get, and how much it will cost you. By finding CISes before making a purchase, you can better compare different Telcos to see which option best suits your lifestyle and budget.
What might a CIS include?
Of course, what’s included on your CIS depends on various factors, whether you’re on a pre or post-paid plan, SIM only or handset included, and the amount you pay. However, many will have the following information included.
- Minutes.
How many minutes can you speak on the phone for each payment period? - SMS.
How many texts can you send/receive in each period? - Data.
How many GB of 4/5G data will you receive? - International Minutes.
How many minutes can you speak to people from other countries? Which countries are included in this? - Expiry.
How long does the contract last? - Cost per MB of data.
How much can you expect to pay if you go over your data allowance? - Excess data allowance.
How much over your data allowance can you go before you cannot use 4/5G anymore?
How to get hold of a CIS
When you start a new phone contract, your carrier will email you a CIS. It will contain the information you already know but laid out matter-of-factly rather than trying to entice you to buy anything. If you’ve done your research correctly, nothing on your CIS should be new information to you. However, this doesn’t help people who wish to use CISes to find the best contract for them. Unfortunately, the only way to find a CIS before purchasing a phone plan is to Google “[Carrier Name] CIS.”This will lead you to PDF links for their CISes.
Funnily enough, there doesn’t seem to be a single carrier that has their CISes clickable from the front page of their website. This may be because they are often seen as ‘boring’ and are unlikely to entice people to take out a plan with them. However, CISes can usually be found if you use Google.
What makes a good CIS?
Although most cases are similar, there are some key differences between a good and bad one. To start, a good CIS will present the information in a table. The table makes it easier to read and follow what is happening. The information should also be presented in a way that anyone can understand; this means as little technical jargon as possible and no confusing phrasing.
Finally, a CIS should include only relevant information. This article spoke earlier about what that may be. But, if a CIS starts talking about company philosophy, why they’re better than their competitors, or anything else, be suspicious.
Conclusion
Although not everyone can agree on what CIS stands for, mobile phone carriers, customers, and contract experts agree that it contains all the relevant information people should know when they sign up for a new phone plan. It contains how much the customer is expected to pay and how often they pay, as well as the minutes, texts, and data included in the plan. Usually, your telco will send them to you once you’ve purchased a plan, but if you google “[Phone Carrier] CIS,” you can usually find them before making a purchase, helping you to make a better decision.