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Three at home is being quietly downgraded

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I switched to three a couple of years ago, because I spend a lot of time in France and wanted the at home benefit.

Until recently I had an excellent connection to the local Orange FR aerial, but in the last few months I've not been able to connect and have been left with an erratic GPRS connection to Bouygues, or faced a 7 mile trip to Macdonalds for free wi-fi.

On the last visit I discovered friends on Vodafone still had a good connection so I took it up with three. They confirmed they had not renewed their licence with Orange FR. In my travels I've become aware that Orange has the widest coverage, particularly in the more rural areas, so this is a major downgrade for me.

I've also found at they've done the same thing in the US, and I guess the same will happen in all the countries in their at home package

You might be lucky but if you like a quiet holiday I wouldn't count on it

Comments

  • diamonds
    diamonds Posts: 6,048 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    SO... now England its the Scots turn to say dont leave the UK, stay in Europe with us in the UK, dont let the tories fool you like they did us with empty lies... You will be leaving the UK aswell as Europe ;)
  • Terry98
    Terry98 Posts: 1,155 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Malcnascar wrote: »
    I have a 3,2,1 PAYG sim for use in Spain. For trips of less than 2 weeks I usually top up £5 on each of 3 days, this gives me free data 150mb for each top up. Texts are only 5p and calls are 16p per min. For trips longer than 2 weeks I top up in £5 till I have £15 credit and buy a 30 day add on which gives enough "at home" for my needs.

    The £15 add on is now £20 http://www.three.co.uk/Support/pay_as_you_go/Phone_tariffs
  • J_B
    J_B Posts: 6,806 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Although it never got discussed much here
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5366893
    it turned out that in Cyprus, they have sacked the island's main provider and replaced them with a 'lesser' one.
    Although 'feel at home' isn't valid in CY, so not quite as relevant!

    Same situation as you in France it seems.

    :(
  • labp04
    labp04 Posts: 296 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    We were "early adopters" with 3 and signed up more or less when it first made mifi available. We did this for x2 main reasons: we cannot have b/band where we live but the mifi signal from 3 was good; we were travelling a lot in Europe and, at this time, 3 were including many countries access via the contract for no extra fee. Without so much as a by your leave or notification, after a couple of years, 3 withdrew the "free" access in Europe; and over the past couple of years, the signal at home deteriorated to be almost useless and, sometimes/often, simply not available. We are now not with 3. Moral? Keep an eye on what they are up to, 'cos they may not always inform you.
  • ryan92
    ryan92 Posts: 607 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Three really seem to be going to the dogs recently.
    They made the big song and dance about how monthly costs should always remain the same, then ditched this stance and announced mid contract rises were allowed.

    Their costs also seem to be on the more costly side these days too.
    Currently in a Protected Trust Deed - 23 payments until DEBT FREE - February 2027
  • diamonds
    diamonds Posts: 6,048 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    ryan92 wrote: »
    Three really seem to be going to the dogs recently.
    They made the big song and dance about how monthly costs should always remain the same, then ditched this stance and announced mid contract rises were allowed.

    Their costs also seem to be on the more costly side these days too.

    They are truing to buy o2 for absolute billions, head office in Hong Kong wont fund it all.
    SO... now England its the Scots turn to say dont leave the UK, stay in Europe with us in the UK, dont let the tories fool you like they did us with empty lies... You will be leaving the UK aswell as Europe ;)
  • System
    System Posts: 178,344 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Providers change roaming partners regularly.

    When I was on O2 last time, they switched off roaming with SFR in France. My friends seemed to be on SFR everytime i had no signal.

    I complained to O2 but they (rightly) pointed out that roaming coverage was not guaranteed.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
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