A telecommunications service contract is a legally binding document. Before signing a service contract, you should read the details of the contract carefully. You should pay attention to details like the level of charges, contract expiry date, any discounts or rebates offered, charges on value-added services, free service period and service termination policy. In addition, you should make clear whether the contract applies fair usage policy such as data usage limit and fair usage policy for Internet access service, and any extra charges imposed by the operator in respect of usage beyond specified quota or limit.
Since July 2011, all major fixed and mobile operators and one external telecommunications service operator have implemented the Industry Code of Practice for Telecommunications Service Contracts (the "Industry Code"). Under the Industry Code, consumers who enter into new individual / residential telecommunications service contracts with the concerned operators enjoy enhanced protection. Consumers are advised to obtain a copy of the Industry Code for reference and consult the operators as to whether their prospective telecommunications service contract would be covered by the protection under the Industry Code before signing the contract.
The two may not be the same, depending on the policies of individual service operators. But most operators will charge pre-billing date usage on a pro-rata basis.