About Three
Three is a mobile network operator and internet service provider in the United Kingdom. It is part of the multinational telecommunications conglomerate, CK Hutchison Holdings, which is headquartered in Hong Kong.
Three offers a range of mobile plans and devices, including smartphones, tablets, and mobile broadband dongles. They also offer a variety of value-added services such as international roaming, entertainment packages, and mobile insurance.
In addition to their mobile services, Three also provides home broadband services, including both fixed-line and wireless options. Their home broadband packages include different speeds and data allowances to suit various needs.
Three has a reputation for offering competitive pricing and generous data allowances on their mobile plans, and they have won several awards for their customer service. They also have a strong focus on technology and innovation, and were the first UK network to launch a 5G service in 2019.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Generous data allowances: Three is well known for offering generous data allowances on their mobile plans, which can be very attractive to heavy data users.
- Competitive pricing: Three is often among the most affordable mobile network operators in the UK, especially when it comes to data plans.
- 5G network: Three was the first network in the UK to launch a 5G service in 2019, which gives them an advantage for users who are looking for faster and more reliable data speeds.
- Flexible plans: Three offers a variety of plans to suit different needs, including SIM-only plans, pay-as-you-go options, and family plans.
- Good customer service: Three has won several awards for their customer service, and they are known for being responsive and helpful.
Cons:
- Coverage: While Three has good coverage in many areas of the UK, there are some areas where the network coverage is weaker or non-existent, which can be a problem for some users.
- Customer service wait times: While Three is known for good customer service, they can sometimes have longer wait times for support, especially during busy periods.
- Limited roaming options: While Three offers international roaming, their options are more limited than some other UK networks, which can be a disadvantage for frequent travelers.
- Network congestion: Because Three is a popular network, their data speeds can sometimes be slowed down due to network congestion, especially during peak usage times.
- Home broadband limitations: Three home broadband service is not available in all areas, and the speed and reliability can be affected by the quality of the local network infrastructure.
Three What do you get?
Three offers a variety of mobile and home broadband plans, with different features and benefits depending on your needs. Here is an overview of what you can expect from their different services:
Mobile Plans:
- Generous data allowances: Three is known for offering generous data allowances on their mobile plans, which can be very attractive to heavy data users.
- 5G network: Three was the first UK network to launch a 5G service in 2019, which gives them an advantage for users who are looking for faster and more reliable data speeds.
- Unlimited calls and texts: All Three mobile plans include unlimited calls and texts to UK numbers.
International roaming: Three.co.uk offers international roaming in over 70 destinations, including the EU, US, and Australia. - Flexible plans: Three offers a variety of plans to suit different needs, including SIM-only plans, pay-as-you-go options, and family plans.
- Entertainment packages: Some Three plans come with access to entertainment packages, such as Netflix, Deezer, or Amazon Prime Video.
Home Broadband:
- Flexible options: Three offers both fixed-line and wireless home broadband options, with different speeds and data allowances to suit different needs.
- No landline required: Three wireless home broadband option doesn’t require a landline, which can be convenient for users who don’t want a traditional phone line.
- Easy setup: Three home broadband can be set up quickly and easily, with no engineer visit required.
Free router: Three provides a free router with all their home broadband plans. - Unlimited data: Some Three home broadband plans offer unlimited data, which can be attractive for heavy data users.
- No upfront costs: Three doesn’t charge any upfront costs for their home broadband plans.
Three Review: Customer service
Three has a reputation for offering good customer service, with a strong focus on resolving customer issues quickly and efficiently. Here are some of the key factors that contribute to their customer service:
- Support channels: Three offers a range of support channels, including a live chat service, a customer service hotline, and a comprehensive online help center. This makes it easy for users to get help with their issues quickly and easily.
- Responsiveness: Three customer service team is known for being responsive to customer queries and concerns, with wait times that are typically shorter than some other UK mobile network operators.
- Expertise: Three customer service team is well-trained and knowledgeable about the company’s products and services, which means they are able to answer customer questions and resolve issues effectively.
- Awards: Three has won several awards for their customer service, including the uSwitch Best Network for Customer Service award in 2020 and 2021.
That being said, it’s worth noting that Three customer service can sometimes experience longer wait times during peak periods, such as when a new product or service is launched. Some users have also reported difficulties getting through to a representative or receiving a timely resolution to their issues.
Three review: Coverage, reliability and speed
Three has good coverage in many areas of the UK, with their network covering approximately 99.8% of the UK population. However, as with any mobile network, coverage can vary depending on your location, and some areas may have weaker or non-existent coverage.
In terms of network reliability, Three network is generally reliable and stable, and they have invested heavily in their network infrastructure in recent years to improve the overall reliability and speed of their service. However, like all mobile networks, there can be occasional network outages or disruptions, particularly during peak usage times.
In terms of data speeds, Three offers fast and reliable data speeds, particularly on their 5G network. They were the first UK network to launch a 5G service in 2019, which means they have a head start over some of their competitors in terms of 5G coverage and speed. However, it’s worth noting that network speeds can be affected by a range of factors, including network congestion, signal strength, and the device being used.
Three review: Roaming
Three offers a range of international roaming options for customers, making it a popular choice for users who travel frequently. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from Three roaming services:
- Roaming destinations: Three offers international roaming in over 70 destinations, including the EU, US, and Australia. This means that users can use their mobile phone or mobile broadband device while traveling without incurring high charges for calls, texts, or data usage.
- Roaming charges: Three offers a variety of roaming plans, with some plans offering unlimited data roaming in selected destinations. They have also abolished roaming charges for customers traveling in the EU since 2017, which means that users can use their mobile phone or mobile broadband device in the EU without incurring extra charges for calls, texts, or data usage.
- Roaming caps: To help customers avoid unexpected charges, Three has put in place caps on data usage when roaming. These caps vary depending on the plan and destination, but they help ensure that customers don’t accidentally run up large bills while traveling.
- Roaming alerts: Three also sends roaming alerts to customers to notify them of their data usage while traveling, which can help them stay within their data allowance and avoid unexpected charges.
FAQs
Sure, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Three:
- What kind of mobile plans does Three offer?
Three offers a variety of mobile plans, including SIM-only plans, pay monthly plans, and pay-as-you-go plans. They also offer mobile broadband plans and devices, such as dongles and portable Wi-Fi routers.
- Does Three offer 5G services?
Yes, Three was the first UK network to launch a 5G service in 2019. They offer 5G services in many areas of the UK, with plans to expand their coverage over time.
- Can I keep my phone number if I switch to Three?
Yes, it’s easy to keep your existing phone number when you switch to Three.co.uk. You simply need to request a PAC (porting authorisation code) from your current network and give it to Three.co.uk when you sign up for their service.
- Does Three offer international roaming?
Yes, Three offers international roaming in over 70 destinations, including the EU, US, and Australia. They have also abolished roaming charges for customers traveling in the EU since 2017.
- What kind of customer service does Three offer?
Three offers a range of support channels, including a live chat service, a customer service hotline, and a comprehensive online help center. Their customer service team is generally responsive and knowledgeable, and they have won several awards for their customer service.
- What kind of coverage and speeds can I expect with Three?
Three has good coverage in many areas of the UK, with their network covering approximately 99.8% of the UK population. Their network is generally reliable and stable, and they offer fast and reliable data speeds, particularly on their 5G network. However, coverage, reliability, and speeds can vary depending on your location and other factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Three is a well-established and popular mobile network operator in the UK, offering a range of mobile plans, mobile broadband plans, and devices. They have a reputation for offering affordable plans with generous data allowances, and their network coverage and speeds are generally good. Their customer service is also highly regarded, with a range of support channels available to customers.
Three 5G service is a particular highlight, with the network being the first in the UK to launch a 5G service in 2019. They also offer comprehensive international roaming services, with a range of roaming plans and options available to customers.
However, like any mobile network operator, Three does have its drawbacks. Coverage can vary depending on location, and their plans may not be suitable for all users. Some users have also reported issues with network congestion and slower speeds during peak usage times.
