MSE News: Three to raise mobile prices

digp

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About TrafficSense™.
We’re the network designed for data. We’ve spent millions over the years strengthening our network, covering over 97% of the population. We already carry over 40% of the UK’s mobile data traffic – and more people join Three every day, because they know that we’re the experts when it comes to the mobile internet.

Our core belief is that everybody deserves to have the best possible experience using a fair share of our network.

That’s why we’ve invested heavily in our network’s capacity, buying the radio spectrum and building the infrastructure we need to make it great for data. But it’s a fact that no mobile operator has an unlimited amount of network capacity, so while we’ll continue to invest, we also have a responsibility to make sure the network we already have is used wisely.

Part of this involves making sure that everyone gets a fair allocation. A mobile data network is a shared resource, so if a small percentage of users are using the network in a way that stops the majority of users getting a fair share, we’ll manage data traffic to make sure that those small percentages of users get the best possible experience without affecting others’ enjoyment.

We call this intelligent management of our network TrafficSense™.
What is TrafficSense™?
TrafficSense™ looks at types of data traffic and behaviour that stop other users from enjoying a fair allocation of our network. TrafficSense™ will only manage a very small percentage of users on our network – and the vast majority will actually benefit from higher speeds and a better internet experience.

TrafficSense™ identifies:

File sharing.
Between 3pm and 12 midnight, we allocate a proportional amount of our network to file sharing, so that all other types of traffic can make the most of it as well.

We don’t block file sharing. We just manage it at times when it affects the enjoyment of most other users using our network to do other things, such as browsing.

Tethering.
Tethering is connecting another device like a laptop to your phone to access the internet.

A small number of users try to tether outside of their terms and conditions. When this happens, TrafficSense™ either blocks their tethering completely or restricts it to a very small allocation of our network.

High data use.
5% of the highest users actually take up around 60% of the Three network capacity, which inevitably affects the way others can use it.

TrafficSense™ regularly identifies users in the top 5% highest data users each month and allocates bandwidth on a proportional basis for the following seven days. This makes sure the remaining 95% of users also get fair access and the best possible internet experience.

For more detail about exactly how TrafficSense™ intelligently manages these types of traffic, find out how we use TrafficSense™. You can also see more in our TrafficSense™ facts document.

aldredd

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

You can get a reconditioned unlocked Nokia 5110 from eBay for £20. GiffGaff give 250 minutes and unlimited texts for £10 a month. So that's £140 for just 12 months and none of the hassle involved with trying to get out of contracts. You can change when ever you like. I bet you that is cheaper than you are paying now and it's sim free. Anyone paying £384 or £419 contract or no contract for a telephone requires psychiatric help in my book and has no place on a "money saving" forum.

Well *that* has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've seen posted on this site.

Of course not everyone needs / wants / can afford a 'smart phone' (and many will often still get one) but to suggest we shouldn't discuss they best value way of getting one on a money saving website is just daft.

Why would someone pay 1,000's of luxury overseas holidays when they can hire a caravan for 100 quid? Because they can, because they want to. So should we not discuss the best value way of getting such a luxury holiday? Of course we should - just because you've worked hard and saved some money to treat yourself, doesn't mean you don't want the best value for your cash.

(for absolute clarity, I'm in no way trying to suggest that those who can't afford such luxury's work any less hard for their money)

oh, and in the spirit of money saving, you can get a brand new phone for under a tenner, here
(you know, reading the description, it has some pretty cool features)

SOS messaging sends an emergency message to pre-set contacts with one click of a button and a fake call function can simulate an incoming call to remove you from uncomfortable situations

frazefast

Are the T&C re "detrimental" different for the iphone compared to other phones then?

ferrit44

frazefast wrote: »

Are the T&C re "detrimental" different for the iphone compared to other phones then?

They had a different set of Terms and Conditions for iPhone customers. However, it would appear they have taken them down.

iPhone = "Detriment"

Pay Monthly = "Material detriment"

Coincidence? I think not.

digp wrote: »

Does anyone have a copy of the iphone t&c which could be posted on the net?

I do, ill look to get them posted.

ferrit44

iPhone Ts and Cs: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20343048/Link%20Document.htm

frazefast

"If a communications provider wants to alter a contract’s terms and conditions, they must consider, among other things, whether the change will be of material detriment to their customers.
Under General Condition 9.3, communications providers must provide customers for whom a change is likely to be of material detriment with one month’s notice of the change.
Customers must also be informed that they are entitled to terminate their contract without penalty if the change is not acceptable to them."


Ofcom

frazefast

Not sure what the difference is, it's still detrimental, material or not.

completelyterrified

frazefast wrote: »

"If a communications provider wants to alter a contract’s terms and conditions, they must consider, among other things, whether the change will be of material detriment to their customers.
Under General Condition 9.3, communications providers must provide customers for whom a change is likely to be of material detriment with one month’s notice of the change.
Customers must also be informed that they are entitled to terminate their contract without penalty if the change is not acceptable to them."


Ofcom

Whilst this is lovely, my contract states that the change simply has to be detrimental in order for me to have the right to cancel without charge. My other contract (standard Pay Monthy) specificies the change must be materially detrimental, so that's fair game because I agreed to that when I signed up.

But, on the iPhone one, I signed a document which states if they make a change which is simply detrimental, I can cancel without charge.

aldredd

frazefast wrote: »

Not sure what the difference is, it's still detrimental, material or not.

I don't know if that's true.

It could be argued (as brought up much earlier in the thread) than an inflation-based increase ought not be materially detrimental, as the value of what you're getting has not changed - as you're package is now 'worth' more than it was a year ago.

Of course, the fact that there is no clarity on what is / is not materially detrimental does make life quite difficult for three.

completelyterrified

aldredd wrote: »

I don't know if that's true.

It could be argued (as brought up much earlier in the thread) than an inflation-based increase ought not be materially detrimental, as the value of what you're getting has not changed - as you're package is now 'worth' more than it was a year ago.

Of course, the fact that there is no clarity on what is / is not materially detrimental does make life quite difficult for three.

As far as I can remember, Materially Detrimental specifically relates to a rise of 10% or more. So, again, the rise isn't materially detrimental, but it is detrimental, and the fact that the iPhone T&Cs specifically state that a detrimental change can allow invocation of a customer's right to cancel under 10.1d, that's pretty much all that matters.

Now, if Ofcom has given guidance that the word "detrimental" has a specific meaning in these realms, then fair enough. But to my knowledge, they haven't.