Three One Plan - contract expiring - renew or change supplier?

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

Would be grateful for any advice. This is the first time I've come to the end of a mobile phone contract (with Three) and looking for advice re upgrading options and how to negotiate for a good deal when the time comes.

Have been on the Three One Plan (around £36 pcm) for almost 2 years - coming to the end of my contract later this year. The contract came with the Samsung Galaxy SII and after sorting out initial glitches have been happy with the phone and coverage.

Main reason for signing up to the One Plan is it's all you can eat data and the fact it allows tethering, so I can use the SIM in the phone to access the internet from a PC or laptop etc.

Ideally would like to upgrade to a Samsung Galaxy Tab or Note (or also considering the Kindle Fire) and keep the phone I have too.

Most important thing would be to have a SIM deal which allows internet access from the Tab, Note or Fire and ideally on an "all you can eat basis". I never get close to using the inclusive minutes or texts so the main benefit has been the data/tethering ability.

Are there any better alternatives to renewing with Three again on the One Plan which is very expensive (got huge cashback the first time around which made it more affordable).

Are Three likely to negotiate on the price of the One Plan when you upgrade or is the price set in stone?

Would it be better to upgrade and get a new device (e.g. Note or Tab) or to end the contract and take out a new one with Three or another provider? (Or buy a device separately and a SIM only contract to get uncapped internet and tethering?)

Am not an especially heavy user of the internet, apart from TV downloads (no gaming etc).

Many thanks in advance for any general tips/advice on this.

DUTR

If you have been happy with the service tariff, then stick to it, if you don't require a new device, then cosnider sim only with 3.

thefirs

DUTR wrote: »

If you have been happy with the service tariff, then stick to it, if you don't require a new device, then cosnider sim only with 3.

Three are advertising 12 month sim only on the One Plan from £20, so you ought to be able to get it down to this level. See http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/PricePlan_Details?content_aid=1220465099479

socmwils23

thefirs wrote: »

Three are advertising 12 month sim only on the One Plan from £20, so you ought to be able to get it down to this level. See http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/PricePlan_Details?content_aid=1220465099479

They dont do all you can eat data on that plan though instead there is a limit of 2GB. That isnt a lot if your tethering.

DUTR

socmwils23 wrote: »

They dont do all you can eat data on that plan though instead there is a limit of 2GB. That isnt a lot if your tethering.

What is the ultimate plan 600 then? That is £15.90 with all you can eat data.

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

Many thanks for the helpful replies.

Yes, I think from what I gather from "Googling" about that there is some confusion with their tariffs over which ones allow not only "all you can eat data" but also tethering ability. I've a horrid feeling that it is the most expensive One Plan (which I'm currently on) which is the only one that permits both of these.

I guess all I can do is try my best to re-negotiate starting at a low figure and seeing what the response is. But as I think 3 may still be the only providers who offer the all you can eat data and tethering I guess they know they can stick to their guns re pricing.

I agree that the 2GB limit wouldn't be suitable as we do download BBC iPlayer fairly regularly and wouldn't want to get caught out going over the data limit as this could be very expensive!

cgk1

I think the ultimate internet for £12 allowed tethering if paid for a £5 add-on?

Edit: ah.. the £5 add-on allows for 1gb of data per month.

Buzby

As your contract isn't expiring - if you are happy with what you've got, why change?

samrw18

Yes, the only plan on the market at the moment that is 'Unlimited' and includes tethering is 3's One Plan.

If tethering is very important for you to have, you don't really have much choice.

thefirs

socmwils23 wrote: »

They dont do all you can eat data on that plan though instead there is a limit of 2GB. That isnt a lot if your tethering.

Some useful extra intelligence at this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4411551

jellybean12

Hi,

The only tariff that allows tethering is The One Plan,

The £20 One Plan sim only will allow tethering up until at least the 1st September.

The Ultimate 600 has AYCE data but doesn't allow tethering

There is a 1 month rolling contract on The One Plan for £25 that supports tethering