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About 3

About 3

3 is one of the largest UK networks and offers among the best rates for national and international calls and texting.

The company operates a series of tariffs, with payment plans that can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

3 is a huge global network that is available across eight countries, allowing customers to benefit from excellent priced international and national calls. It offers both pay monthly and pay as you payment plans, with brilliant Mix and Match deals to tailor their contract and services.

3 offers a fantastic range of handsets and specialises in the very latest 3G mobile phones. This was proved by 3 being the first UK mobile telephony provide to launch a phone specifically for VoIP in the form of the 3 Skypephone

The company’s 3Gs coverage is superb and is the most extensive in the UK, allowing customers to make the most of mobile phone internet access.

History

History

3 is a subsidiary of the Hong Kong company Hutchison Whampoa and was launched in the UK in 2003. It is renowned for enacting one of the fastest roll-outs in history of its 3G network.

Among the services it has launched is SeeMeTV, whereby customers can submit video content which can be watched by other consumers. This is the most popular user-generated mobile service created. The company has also spearheaded the launch of 3 mobile TV.

Customer service

Customer service

3 customers on pay monthly plans can get in touch with the company’s customer service division by calling 333 from their mobile. The call is free when made from their handset.

Alternatively, they can call 08707 330 333 from any other phone and will be charged at their standard rate.

Pay as you go customers call 444 from their handset for free, or 08707 330 333 from any other phone.

3’s website is home to a extensive range of guides to help you to deal with everything from getting the most out of O2 services, setting up your mobile phone, billing and procedures for when your mobile phone is lost or stolen.

Tariffs

Tariffs

3 operates both pay as you go and pay monthly plans. Pay monthly customers can take advantage of the Mix and Match plans which offer flexibility and convenience.

The Mix and Match deals allow users to choose handsets and choose an offer that suits them rather than being tied into fixed price plans. The plans work by allocating units to customers, who are then free to use them either for texts or calls, with one text equalling one call to make it as simple as possible to keep track of your usage.

All deals offer 300 3 to 3 minutes as well as free voicemail, free instant messaging and free Skype. The Mix & Match plans also allow customers to keep in touch with friends through online services such as Skype, Live Windows Messenger or Yahoo Messenger. All these services are offered to 3 customers free of charge.

Alternatively, also 3 offers Texter plans, which are heavily weighted towards customers who communicate heavily with SMS messages and run over 12 or 18 months.

Coverage

Coverage

3 customers benefit from a roaming arrangement with Orange which allows them to use their handsets on the 2G network when they move out of 3G coverage.

3 boasts the most extensive 3G coverage in the UK and as of September 2007 launched its HSDPA network. This is available in London, Northern Ireland and north of Manchester.

With the 3 Like Home service UK customers can use their handsets on 3 networks worldwide for no extra charge.

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3 news

3 Reviews

  • I've been with 3 for 4 years, and before it was much better. Now the coverage is a bit patchy and the calls keep cutting out. And if I'm late on payments they put restrictions on calls.

    They have no respect for the fact that I have four accounts with them and never fail a payment. Regarding the broadband, before it was very nice, but now I'm paying for an 18 months contract without using it because there is no coverage in my house.

    tania duarte, 27th February 2010

  • Been on 3 over 4 years. Handset choice has been poor, which I think is part of the the problem with a lot of the complaints.

    Main problem is with their call centres. They are hopeless. I've found the best thing to do is call into a store and they will normally sort out the problem at the first or second time of asking at least.

    Regarding coverage, I have found this to be one of the better networks. This is based on traveling all around the UK.

    derek, 21th February 2010

  • Been with 3 for a number of years now and am happy with the service. But the urge for an iPhone is getting stronger by the day!

    Come on 3! Get the iPhone added to your phones list, or I'll have to say bye-bye.

    tony mounsey, 03rd February 2010

  • My 75yro father has been totally miss-sold his handset. He can't an get easier to use phone for this network and can't get out of contract without costing a fortune. I wouldnt recommend 3 to anyone.

    Julie, 28th January 2010

  • Complete and utter rubbish. Not a single decent phone to choose from and the customer suport is ridiculous as no one speaks english.

    Ive since gone with O2 who are much much better.

    lee, 24th January 2010

  • Very poor and missleading customer service, no help what so ever. Poor choice of phones + you can't upgrade till 15 months are over on 18 month contract.

    David,Oxford, 29th December 2009

  • I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND 3 TO ANY ONE, IT IS THE ONLY PHONE COMPANY THAT YOU CANNOT USE ANOTHER PHONE WITH. I HAD A NOKIA 6300 THAT WAS WORKING WITH MY 3 CONTRACT SIM.

    3 NETWORK THEN LOCKED THE SIM AS THE NOKIA 6300 IS NOT A 3G PHONE, I EXPLAINED THAT ALL MY SERVICES WERE WORKING FINE BUT THEY STILL BLOCKED IT OFF,ITS JUST SO THEY CAN GET MONEY OUT OF YOU

    WEGGO, 26th November 2009

  • When I returned my mobile it was lost adn now 3 denies recieving it so am using my very old mobile. I am not happy with their service at all as I either have to continue with my old one or pay £200 + to get out of my contract which is only £15/month.

    sylvia ireland, 25th November 2009

  • I have found 3 to be very poor lately with plenty of dropped calls, after talking to somone who i could just about make out what he was saying ,told me to change my handset, which i did and still im dropping calls.So now i think its time to switch to a better provider.

    darren lindsey, 08th November 2009

  • Been with 3 from the start always nice and helpful I also have dongle and it has been the best thing I did as I am house bound for 6 weeks after an op, but would like to upgrade my phone but without a contract as I love the one I already have, any suggestions

    celia b, 30th October 2009

  • with 3 for some time now and always found them courteous and helpful, could do with better handsets to choose from.

    Jayne B, 08th October 2009

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