One of the four main networks in the UK, Three, provides good network coverage, a selection of SIM-only offerings, and pay-monthly equipment contracts. How excellent is it, though, really?
Three provides a wide range of 5G-ready pricing options, including some reasonably priced unlimited data packs, with a phone selection that includes both premium brands and some more specialised models. We focus on the specifics.
Plans and fees
One of Three’s main selling points in earlier years was its unlimited data package. Nevertheless, Three is no longer the only company offering unlimited data. Three enjoyed exclusivity in the market for a while. Some companies, however, have subsequently taken advantage of the chance and now provide limitless bandwidth. Even the cost isn’t excessive.
Three offers a number of pay monthly plans with a good selection of data options ranging from 1GB to unlimited with contract terms of one month, 12 months, or 24 months.
The bulk of them offer free 5G readiness, personal hotspot setup, and Three’s Go Roam, which charges an extra £2 per day for data consumption in Europe and £5 per day in a few other places. These pricing are available to customers looking for a new phone as well as those who want a SIM-only plan. The majority of pay monthly agreements with a device have a standard two-year commitment obligation.
When looking for a pay-as-you-go package, Three offers both handset plans and SIM-only solutions for you to choose from. In order to use the pay-as-you-go option, you must either buy a data pack or add credit to your SIM card. The data plans are available for a month and come with unlimited texts and minutes as normal. If you merely wish to top off your credit, you will be charged 5p for each MB used, 10p for each SMS, and 10p for each call minute.
Data plans are currently offered in 16GB, 30GB, 50GB, and Unlimited capacities for PAYG customers, and they are very affordable. A data pack can be pre-set to renew every month or purchased as needed. Three also offers a range of Add-ons that you may use to add extra minutes, messages, or data via the Three App if you don’t want to buy a data pack.
Remember that Three uses a mechanism called TrafficSense to manage its data traffic, so if you attempt to use its network during peak hours, which are often between 3pm and midnight, you might suffer some slowing (slower download speeds).
Many phones and gadgets
As the company has realised that the majority of customers are looking for a new Apple or Samsung phone, the shopfront of Three reflects this, as it does with other service providers. It’s not the whole picture, so if you’re looking for an alternative, there are other possibilities as well. You may be able to purchase phones from Huawei, OnePlus, and Xiaomi in addition to the regular choices.
Moreover, a number of tablets are available with unlimited data included in 24-month agreements. You can pick from a range of iPad versions in addition to laptops and tablets made by Samsung, Alcatel, and Lenovo.
Customer support
Like most organisations, Three has a robust online assistance system. Three would prefer that you get in touch with them through the incredibly helpful Live Chat option on this website. If you’d like to pick up the phone, Three has agents waiting to take your call. The customer service line is available at 0333 338 1001 from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 9 am to 6 pm on the weekends (333 from your Three handset). You can leave me a message on Facebook or Twitter to get in touch with me as well.
Three had the lowest overall customer service rating (86%) compared to the other mentioned providers (EE, Giffgaff, O2, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Vodafone), scoring below the sector average (95%), in the most recent customer satisfaction survey conducted by industry regulator Ofcom. More concerningly, only 82% of customers, or 13% less than the 95% average for the sector, were satisfied with the signal they received.
In terms of ratings for mobile service providers, Three is about average, with EE score 2.4 and O2 merely 1.4 at the time of writing. These reviews should obviously be taken with a grain of salt since dissatisfied customers are more likely to rate their experiences than joyful ones.
Three is refreshingly explicit on how to resolve disputes or even take them to an impartial adjudicator, and it has a dedicated page where you can get all the information you require.
Value for money
Three outperforms its rivals in terms of providing the most value for your money. Although there are some excellent prices available, you can undoubtedly find greater ones elsewhere. One of the largest savings is attainable with the unlimited data bundles provided by Three, which are some of the least expensive options available. If you have an insatiable appetite for data, Three’s tariffs might be ideal for you.
When it comes to PAYG, Three’s Data Packs are incredibly reasonable, and some of them even provide better value per GB than the equivalent one-month SIM-only options. However if you opt to merely top up your data and use data Add-ons as necessary, the cost will be higher.
Encompassing network
Three provides coverage for 99.8% of the people in the UK using its 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. According to Three, the UK’s fastest network is gradually introducing its 5G service. Almost every new phone you choose will be 5G ready, and all of Three’s SIM cards are 5G ready. According to Three, the fastest 5G network now covers 54% of the UK’s population, surpassing EE as the previous market leader. Use the coverage checker to see how it is in your area before getting your hopes up.
Conclusion
Three offers a variety of mobile handsets, affordable unlimited data plans, and limitless tethering. Because to the low roaming rates in Europe and the claimed 54% 5G coverage, Three is the market leader when it comes to 5G.
Three’s phone lineup includes a few exciting new models in addition to the standard Apple and Samsung offerings. The traffic control is one of the few drawbacks, but generally, Three has some great bundles with something for everyone.
