Beware 3 Network!!!

lowbrim

I have just realised what a big mistake I made by going to 3 network, 5 months ago. :mad:

I lost my phone over Christmas (left it in a taxi and someone helped themselves) On ringing 3 they charged me £5 for a replacement sim which I thought was a bit over the top but fair enough. When I received the new SIM I put it into a spare unlocked phone I had but it would not work so I tried it in another with same result so I rang 3.

They informed me that I needed a new "3 phone" there cards will not work in any other phone even if they are unlocked. So now I am having to shell out for a new phone from 3 despite having spare phones that would work on any other network!!!

If anyone as any idea's how to get round this monopoly situation it would be appreciated I have a contract and SIM card but cant use it unless I fork out another load of money to 3 which I am very reluctant to do and will certainly not be renewing my contract!!:mad:

elljay20

you have a 3g sim card so you need a 3g phone i don't see the issue? it's a different technology to 2g handsets. and you can pick up three phones cheap enough

horfsby1984

just buy a cheap PAYG from superdrug

kai666

lowbrim wrote:

If anyone as any idea's how to get round this monopoly situation it would be appreciated I have a contract and SIM card but cant use it unless I fork out another load of money to 3 which I am very reluctant to do and will certainly not be renewing my contract!!:mad:

it will work with any unlocked 3g phone from any network, where is the monopoly?

Mandles

Look on ebay as the section on the left allows you to select phones on 3 simlock and use the phone you buy until your contract runs out and flog it back on ebay afterwards. That is what i have done after our phone got water damaged and 18month contracts are too long with them so we are waiting until contract runs out and go with someone else as been with the 3 years and not that impressed anymore.

papito

Carefull though! some Pre pay phones from 3 now have the Sim glued to the mobile, hence you cannot use it.
try ebay or go to any CEX estore, they usually have nice 3 used mobiles, you can see them etc.

funkyparott

kai666 wrote:

it will work with any unlocked 3g phone from any network, where is the monopoly?

I might be incorrect here, however three phones are set up to switch between the 3 network (3 uk) and a 2.5g service provider (used to be 02 now will be Orange).

This is done because three don't have 100 % coverage. It costs three money when the handset has to switch over to the 2.5g network, hence why the three handset will always try to log back onto the 3 main one.

I understand that the three handsets have special software in them to do this. Three don't want you using a 'generic' 3g handset because it won't provide this feature.

FP

Chris4817

It really annoys me when people post about things and complain about 'monopolies' when they don't know what they are talking about.

Three uses a different technology and network as someone explained earlier.

Would you buy a diesel car and expect to be able to put petrol in it?

Skilgannon_2

Chris fair comment but sometimes out of frustration ppl rant and rave, no need to get personal i'm sure the OP was just letting off steam

kai666

funkyparott wrote:

I might be incorrect here, however three phones are set up to switch between the 3 network (3 uk) and a 2.5g service provider (used to be 02 now will be Orange).

This is done because three don't have 100 % coverage. It costs three money when the handset has to switch over to the 2.5g network, hence why the three handset will always try to log back onto the 3 main one.

I understand that the three handsets have special software in them to do this. Three don't want you using a 'generic' 3g handset because it won't provide this feature.

FP

my old 3 sim card works in my unlocked vodafone SE w900. I get a 3g signal fine, but with no credit i haven't actually been able to test out the quality of calls,or what happens in a non 3g area

reehsetin

kai666 wrote:

it will work with any unlocked 3g phone from any network, where is the monopoly?

im sure ive heard people saying when theyve put a 3 phone into e.g. a 3g orange unlocked phone, 3 have contacted them to say that if they continue to use a non 3 phone they would cut the line :S