Three 321 How does data charge work

allfrey

I have recently switched to Three 321 from Ovivo. I have been told different things about how the data charge works. I use my phone mostly for checking emails (not downloading attachments) and very occasional internet use.

There seem to be two stories:

1. That (once my free data allowance has expired) I will be charged 1p each time my phone contacts the internet (e.g. to synch email) so that, for example, I could be charged £1.00 if my phone makes contact 100 times, even if the total data consumption is only, say, 2MB. In this case I need to keep my data connection switched off most of the time, except when I want to check emails.

2. That, because my phone is continuously connected to the internet I will get charged an initial 1p and should only get charged another 1p when my total data consumption exceeds 1MB. If this is the case, I need to keep my phone continuously connected to the internet.

Does anyone know from practical experience how this works. If 2, does the whole thing reset (i.e. another 1p charged) when I switch my phone off and/or at midnight?

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redux

I don't know how it actually works on this tariff, but on previous ones it was pro rata down to a fairly small unit size and fractions of a penny.

A few years ago, when data cost more, I could use 2 kilobytes several times to be charged a penny. And the penny only happened after those several connections, not the first, so it was like it was taking an eighth of a penny at a time

My guess is would still be like that, but I haven't actually checked.

pepdavies

My data counter on my phone tallies with how much data Three say I've used. It seems very fair to me. I don't ever switch data off.

ZhugeEX

Option number 2. But you don't need to be constantly connected or worry about switching your phone on/off. it'll just charge you 1p once you use 1mb. And then charge you the second pence when you exceed 2mb etc... It's a very fair system and works very well.

It's other networks that charge per day where option number 1 applies.

Buzby

It is 2, with the added caveat you are not charged for any data accessed through the three.co.uk website, as others note - their charging model is not only fair, but excellent value.

cifpower

Buzby wrote: »

It is 2, with the added caveat you are not charged for any data accessed through the three.co.uk website, as others note - their charging model is not only fair, but excellent value.

Just did some sums to see how my 3 plan compared.

I get unlimited data for £15.90pm

The 3-2-1 plan would have cost me £35 on data alone last month as I used 3.5GB

mcav

Three gets a lot of stick, and much of it is from their legacy based service issues. Their current offers are absolutely unmatched. Their customer service is no worse than any other mobile phone operator in the UK, but their products are head, shoulders, knees, and toes in front.

matelodave

My 3-2-1 plan cost me 12p last month as I don't feel the need to be on the phone all the time, texting, talking or even trawling the internet.

Buzby

cifpower wrote: »

Just did some sums to see how my 3 plan compared.

I get unlimited data for £15.90pm

The 3-2-1 plan would have cost me £35 on data alone last month as I used 3.5GB

So you think comparing PAYG with contract is fair? I pay £6.90pm which includes 500Mb, which I upgrade to unlimited for £5 IF I need if that month. £12pm suits me fine.

goggster

remember to always top up online by just £5 because you get 150MB data free every time you top up. top up by £10 or more and you still only get 150MB.
I assume if you top up twice by £5 you'll get a rolling 300MB.

cifpower

Buzby wrote: »

So you think comparing PAYG with contract is fair? I pay £6.90pm which includes 500Mb, which I upgrade to unlimited for £5 IF I need if that month. £12pm suits me fine.

Why not? If my usage was lower and the PAYG cost would have been lower than the contract, does that not validate the comparison?