3 not allowing data roaming

confusedandannoyed

I signed up to 3 a few weeks back as it was a lot cheaper than Vodafone. However one of the good things I found about vodafone was the ability to use a certain amount of data (25megs) abroad. I now understand that is actually an EU regulation.


I asked 3 about this when I got the contract, stating I was going on holiday in a few weeks. They said I would get the standard EU data. However I have called them today to check and they say as I am not a long term customer (60 days) I won't be able to do this. I wouldn't have taken the contract out if they had said this.

Furthermore surely this breaches the EU Regulations on data roaming. My understanding is that they have to provide me with the ability to use data abroad within the EU under recent EU regulations.

It seems very odd as I would happily pay the £5 a day for the europasss. But in order to get the europass I need to activate data roaming, in order to do this I need to be a customer for 60 days.

DUTR

Perhaps you have gotten confused with the regulations, and besides when you started the contract did you specifically ask about data roaming? I know Orange would allow roaming for long term customers or shorter term on reciept of a deposit.

Buzby

It is a security measure, and until there are a few payments made, roaming (not just data) is restricted or blocked - this is because the network cannot control te amount outstanding - so if there is an issue, they are out the money. So, as networks can develop their own policies, I suggest you go to a local SIM whilst abroad, which may even be cheaper than 3UK when they do get round to giving you access.

NFH

confusedandannoyed wrote: »

However one of the good things I found about vodafone was the ability to use a certain amount of data (25megs) abroad. I now understand that is actually an EU regulation.

Which part of the regulation states that you are entitled to use 25MB of data roaming? The full text is at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:172:0010:0035:EN:PDF

confusedandannoyed wrote: »

I asked 3 about this when I got the contract, stating I was going on holiday in a few weeks. They said I would get the standard EU data. However I have called them today to check and they say as I am not a long term customer (60 days) I won't be able to do this. I wouldn't have taken the contract out if they had said this.

This is misrepresentation by Three. Go back to Three, preferably the person who made this promise and ask either to have roaming enabled or failing that to cancel the contract. If that person is not available, cite their name, and demand the same. Tell them the date that you are travelling and state that time is of the essence.

Buzby

It won't be 'misrepresentation' as incompetence is allowed - even assuming it happened. As this 25Mb supposed 'standard data' has come out of nowhere, I'd suggest it is a misunderstanding, but without proof of any misdirection - the OP is n no position to make demands.

NFH

Buzby wrote: »

It won't be 'misrepresentation' as incompetence is allowed

No, incompetence is not "allowed". It may not be fraudulent (i.e. deliberate), but an unintentional and careless falsehood (i.e. negligent). Three remains liable for any misrepresentations made by its employees with regard to the contract concluded, whether those misrepresentations be deliberate or unintentional.