Anyone Use Three mobile?

[Jerry]

Getting fed up with EE, signal strength is poor locally and even with 2 or 3 bars of 4G I often struggle to make a call.

Been looking at the network coverage maps and it looks like Three has the best looking map with a chance of 5G on parts of the farm.

What is their service like?

 

[Jrp221]

Been with them for years and can’t complain, seem to get good service generally.

 

[Wesley]

You could always buy the cheapest pay as you go sim & chuck in an old/spare phone just to try the network before you commit to a contract. Those coverage maps aren’t always the best as there’s generally black spots that don’t often show on them.

 

[GarMan]

Search for a network for 'Smarty', they use the same network from '3', support Wifi Calling and provides free EU roaming based on your data package. If your phone supports it, you can get 5G and eSim in case you want to try dual sim on phones that supports it.

It works on a 30 day rolling contract with plans starting as low as £7 for 8GB data, £8 for 16GB and so on with unlimited calls and texts. You can change your plans each month if you want to with £20 for unlimited everything as far as I can see. It has worked for me when abroad with decent network coverage. As its a rolling contract, you aren't tied up to anything long term and can cancel just like PAYG if you are unhappy.

You can order a free sim, check the coverage first before getting a plan. So far I have been happy considering how cheap but reliable it is.

 

[Cockneycowboy]

Search for a network for 'Smarty', they use the same network from '3', support Wifi Calling and provides free EU roaming based on your data package. If your phone supports it, you can get 5G and eSim in case you want to try dual sim on phones that supports it.

It works on a 30 day rolling contract with plans starting as low as £7 for 8GB data, £8 for 16GB and so on with unlimited calls and texts. You can change your plans each month if you want to with £20 for unlimited everything as far as I can see. It has worked for me when abroad with decent network coverage. As its a rolling contract, you aren't tied up to anything long term and can cancel just like PAYG if you are unhappy.

You can order a free sim, check the coverage first before getting a plan. So far I have been happy considering how cheap but reliable it is.

Sounds amazing. What’s the catch?

 

[Badshot]

I used to use 3 here.
Until they stick their prices right up, and gave up a load of masts which meant the coverage went from excellent to pish poor.

 

[Chae1]

Did, left them years ago due to poor signal.

 

[GarMan]

Sounds amazing. What’s the catch?

Yet to find the catch. Been on it for the last year or so and so far I have been fine with the service. It is owned by Three and a google search states 'SMARTY is a mobile telephone flanker brand operated by Three UK. It aims to attract customers primarily looking for cheaper deals than those available direct from Three, by offering a monthly rolling SIM-only service, limited to online-only support.'

It may not be for everyone if everything has to be done online. I can change plans via the app and as someone who isn't keen to talk to sales people, I found it more of a convenience than a con.

 

[Timbo1080]

3 here for all mobile phones (Somerset, so local to you, relatively). EE is a waste of time for calls, but the only reliable provider for data if using anything like an LTE router for your internet connection, or wanting to browse on your phone.

Wife has 2 phones - 3 for in Somerset, EE for London. took me 5 years to persuade her to use 3 down here, and the final nail in the coffin was when I refused to answer a phone call from her EE phone & would only accept VOIP/Whatsapp calls.

 

[J B]

Three was fine for us for many years but sadly they stopped offering inclusive roaming and the last time we went abroad with them, the data simply wouldn't work so we jumped ship.
I'm on O2 and Mrs B is on Lebara

 

[ACEngineering]

Getting fed up with EE, signal strength is poor locally and even with 2 or 3 bars of 4G I often struggle to make a call.

Been looking at the network coverage maps and it looks like Three has the best looking map with a chance of 5G on parts of the farm.

What is their service like?

I'm looking at switching from vodafone to Three this month. struggling with signal to make calls at home and workshop with vodafone so bought a £10 sim card from three for a month to test. I admit i have not really been anywhere else other than home and workshop but it does seem alot better at home and good enough at workshop.

My worry is Three is currently still using alot of 3g masts unlike vodafone! Vodafone have already switched all there 3g off and are now getting complaints of poor signal for calls. Three claim to be switching theres off starting in midlands as of April and aim to switch all off by end this year. So i wonder if i will be in the same boat with no signal in a few months time?????!

That said i have not once seen 3g appear on the phone yet! its always been 4g and a couple times 5g. Probably going to switch numbers and do a 12month contract rather than my normal 24month and see how it goes.

 

[rollestonpark]

EE is the only network that covers our area, but the call quality has slowly been dropping for the that last 2 years.
Soon there will be no need for a mobile phone because can't keep a call going for more than about 20 seconds.

Any important calls, I have to go back to the house to make them on the landline.
Rural mobile coverage is the worst it's ever been in my opinion and getting worse by the day.

 

[GarMan]

EE is the only network that covers our area, but the call quality has slowly been dropping for the that last 2 years.
Soon there will be no need for a mobile phone because can't keep a call going for more than about 20 seconds.

Any important calls, I have to go back to the house to make them on the landline.
Rural mobile coverage is the worst it's ever been in my opinion and getting worse by the day.

Do you have a reliable wifi? If yes, you might be able to do the wifi calling option. Else a signal booster might help but without a realiable wireless, it might be tricky.

 

[rollestonpark]

Yes I do use wifi calling and generally that helps quite a bit, but at times sometimes even that can be a problem with poor call quality.

I just generally feel that the EE network coverage is just getting worse and worse.
If I complain, they say use another provider. But their coverage is even worse.

It's one of those things you have to use in life, but you know when you come to use it, it's crap. And there is nothing you can do about it.

 

[farmerm]

I used to use 3 here.
Until they stick their prices right up, and gave up a load of masts which meant the coverage went from excellent to pish poor.

You would be surprised what deal you can get from them, find the cheapest deal that meets your needs and I have found they will likely match it!

 

[GarMan]

Yes I do use wifi calling and generally that helps quite a bit, but at times sometimes even that can be a problem with poor call quality.

I just generally feel that the EE network coverage is just getting worse and worse.
If I complain, they say use another provider. But their coverage is even worse.

It's one of those things you have to use in life, but you know when you come to use it, it's crap. And there is nothing you can do about it.

Better wifi coverage might help unless the wifi itself is what's causing the issue. If you have wifi from EE, it might be worth having a look at Smart Wifi. Else any wifi extender might work and if there's a particular area you struggle the most with, there might be Directional antennas that might help.

 

[darmo]

I switched to Three after similar issues with EE and have been really happy! Their coverage has been solid, and I often get good 4G and 5G in my area. Customer service has been responsive too. Definitely worth a try, especially if you’re looking for better signal strength. Otherwise, maybe a signal booster would be a solution for you.

 

[killie_cowboy]

3 was absolutely awful, I switched to Vodafone. FAR better coverage.

 

[David.]

Depending where you are.
We have only WiFi dongle Internet with 3, and it is fine. Vodafone is very poor here sometimes.

 

[bobk]

Depending where you are.
We have only WiFi dongle Internet with 3, and it is fine. Vodafone is very poor here sometimes.

Depends more on how much you pay , some folk want super fast for 6 quid a month